Massive Storms Hit Midwest & Northeast: Have You Prepared Enough?

The storms that the Midwest and Northeast are the worst winter storms to hit that area in more than 40 years. In a 2,100-mile stretch from New Mexico to Maine, cities have been literally shut down due to massive accumulations of snow. And the series of storms has not ended yet.

People are rushing to stores to stock up on water, food, and other supplies in preparation for the storm. But will it be enough? How do you determine if you are adequately prepared for a winter storm or blizzard?

The first thing most people think about when faced with an approaching major storm is, "will I have enough food and water to last until the storm is over and the roads are clear?" But stocking up on food and water alone is just the beginning of what you should do to prepare for an emergency, and not enough in and of itself.

If You Are Out in Your Vehicle

If you venture out in the car, make sure someone knows where you are going, the route you are taking, and about when you expect to be back. Make sure you take blankets and/or sleeping bags, food, water, a mobile phone, charger, spare batteries, and a first aid kit with you. Remember that even if you don't use it, you might run into someone who needs what you have - cables to jump a car, blankets to keep warm, or first aid for an accident victim. Keep a CPR mask shield in your vehicle in case you have to administer CPR to an accident victim.

If you absolutely have to venture out in your vehicle, keep it as full of gas as possible. Should you become stranded, stay with your car and run the engine periodically to stay warm. Do not keep the engine running for long periods of time, because it can result in carbon monoxide poisoning.

At Home

Ideally you should have a disaster kit at home ready to go at all times. It should contain at least 2 or 3 ways to do each of the following:

- Notify others of your situation by using a cell and landline phone, a loud whistle, brightly colored material, and a signaling mirror, depending on the situation;
- Stay informed via a weather radio and regular radio that can run on batteries, solar, and/or by manually hand cranking the radio;
- Stay warm without the use of electricity or gas should you lose those;
- Obtain, store, and purify water;
- Cook and feed everyone for at least 3 days (a week is better, a month better yet); and
- Keep everyone in good health. This not only means a well-stocked first aid kit, but enough prescription medicine for those who need it for at least a week.

Assume you will have a power outage and prepare accordingly. Make sure you have enough candles, matches or lighters, LED lanterns, and flashlights. Be ready to shelter-in-place for as long as it takes for the storm to pass.

While the power is on, minimize your power usage so that the extra loads don't overstress the power grid. Keep your thermostat set at 68 degrees or below and simply put on sweaters and sweatshirts. Unplug any unnecessary appliances and other electrical devices. Any electrical device that has an "on" button that is lit up is drawing electricity. Turn it off when you aren't using it.

How to Survive if the Power Goes Off and It Gets Really Cold?

Should you lose all your power and your house starts getting uncomfortably cold, don't leave your house and try to walk through the deep snow and ice. You are better off sheltering-in-place in your own home.

When sheltering in your house, first identify the part of your house that is the most insulated. Rooms with few or no windows are the best. Create a small living space for you and your family that can be insulated even further with mattresses, large pillows, or any other insulating material. The idea is that you want to create a lot of dead air space around you and your family.

If there is a window in the room you have selected to shelter in, tape heavy plastic sheeting around the entire window. You can get 3 - 4 mil plastic sheeting in large rolls at most chain home supply and retail stores such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot. Use duct tape to tape the sheeting around the window. The plastic helps prevent drafts and creates another layer of insulation around the window.

Wear a hat! So much of your body heat escapes from the top of your head. Gloves are a good idea, too. Wear your clothes in layers - thermals, lightweight shirt and pants, sweatshirt and sweatpants, sweaters, coats, overalls, insulated ski bibs, and whatever else you can put on.

You can build a "fort" (small resting and sleeping area) out of mattresses. Put one mattress on the bottom, one on the top supported by tables or dressers, and either mattresses, pillows, or clothing stuffed around three of the sides. For sleeping, crawl into your "fort" with as many blankets, sheets, and sleeping bags as you can take in with you. Before retiring for the night, cover up the remaining wall with another mattress, tarp, piles of clothing, or anything else that will create that fourth wall.

Important note: allow ventilation in your insulated sleeping area - leave a hole in the fourth "wall" where fresh air can enter your shelter. Do not light candles inside your sleeping area, as they are not only a fire hazard, they will burn up the oxygen inside and create a dangerous carbon monoxide situation.

If you must leave your home, do so only as a last resort. Take warm clothing, sleeping bags, water, and energy bars with you as a bare minimum. Leave a note in your house stating the direction you took.

The Most Important Element in a Survival Situation

Once you are all situated safe and warm in your house, have some fun! Play some games like 20 questions or "I Spy" with children who are with you. Board games and cards are good, too. Use this as an opportunity to read that book you've been meaning to read.

The most important thing you can have with you in any survival situation is your mental attitude. Keep things light and positive. Before you know it, the storm will be over and you will have great stories to tell about the massive winter storm and blizzard you survived.

_________

For more information on how to prepare for a winter storm, go to the FEMA website.