ICE STORM Preparation Tips

[billm_usa1]

We here in indy are going to be hit thsi afternoon and tomorrow with a big ice storm and they're predicting 7 day of electricity outage.
Since you guys in the Louisville area just went thru this what advice do you have?
What did you do right ?
What did you do wrong ?
What do you wish you'd have done ?

thanks

[Trophyhunter8]

get as much gas as you can

get a generator if you don't have one

wood stoves are great

go on vacation now if you can

[ElectricSLT]

Trophyhunter nailed it - I would add some battery powered lights (and extra batteries) for use while fueling or changing oil in generator. I always use stabilized gas for my generator-nothing worse than generator that won't start in middle of storm.
Get more extension cords than you think you need.
You need to have the generator protected from rain/ice/snow but outside-away from doors and windows-exhaust can kill you.
Be sure you do not backfeed current from generator into power company system-you don't want to hurt those that are trying to resore your service.
You may want to plug a light into the house wiring so you know when power is restored.

Don't wait to buy a generator or a chainsaw after it hits-they get hard to find and prices get ridiculous.

Good luck - I hope it misses you all!

[bassin_bug]

I would also suggest a weather radio, plenty of canned food and snacks, a small propane camping stove like the ones Walmart sells (raise the kitchen window about an inch while using it and you will be safe), bottled water (if the power fails the city pumps may or may not go down). FEMA recommends 1 gal. per day per person. Prepare a GOOD first aid kit and be sure to add a couple of Ace bandages just in case someone falls. Make sure everyone has plenty of their prescription medications and some painkillers on hand. You will need extra quilts and blankets to stay warm.

I went through a 6-week power outage from an ice and snow storm and, believe me, the boredom, and having to stay inside, unable to have any quiet time will snap your last nerve. I had to guard my mouth with all diligence to keep harsh words from injuring those I loved most. Find something to do for recreation, work on a hobby, read, play games, meditate, and get in some prayer time.

Stay safe and God bless.

[RoadToad]

Another good idea if you live in an area prone to power outages is to put your valuable electronics on a good UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply). You can get the APC home model for around $100. I've got all my computer equipment and my entertainment center on them, and I'm pretty confident they've paid for themselves. Don't trust those little power-strip "surge suppressors," those are a joke.

[riverrat12]

All very good advice the only thing that I can add is it's pretty simple to hook up your hot water heater to the generator..I think three screws on the top of the water heater and a few wire nuts and your in good shape....my better half was in alot better mood being able to take a hot shower....and don't forget to check the oil in your generater on a regular basis....Good luck, Chuck

[Catfish Bob]

It is too late but after the ice storm we had, I cut down every tree that was capable of causing any damage to house or garage, just encase we get another one.

[zx150]

Beer lots and lots of beer and some food.

[the_donger]

Chain saw!

[billm_usa1]

Well we made it thru without losing power. The only thing I wasn't prepared for was having my truck tires frozen to the ground. Being a two wheel drive the back wheels are sitting on 1" of ice and the front wheels are packe in ice.
The back wheels spin real nice and smooth.

My neighbor's 4 wheel drive is also frozen in. His left front and right rear spin freely'

I have packed salt around the tires trying to melt the ice.

[DJD]

Well we made it thru without losing power. The only thing I wasn't prepared for was having my truck tires frozen to the ground. Being a two wheel drive the back wheels are sitting on 1" of ice and the front wheels are packe in ice.
The back wheels spin real nice and smooth.

My neighbor's 4 wheel drive is also frozen in. His left front and right rear spin freely'

I have packed salt around the tires trying to melt the ice.

Wow! We didn't have that when we got nailed years ago. Nothing drives safe on an inch of ice! That's amamzing you didn't lose power, are most of your power local lines run underground? Be careful out there.

[peter]

Go to home depot or lowes or where ever right now and get what you need. I thought I was on the ball the morning after our storm and got to home depot at 7:30am. The store was already cleaned out. They said there were people in line at 6 am.

Get a generator and run a wire to your furnace if you have a gas furnace so you can run the fan and whatever else runs off electricity in the furnace. Get some romex and a plug for the generator side and just follow the wires going into the furnace.

Disclaimer-only have a licensed electrician do this. Bigger the das tank the better. Five gallons works well my tank is one gallon and I had to set an alarm hourly to go fill it up.

Take a shower today.