Are YOU prepared for ten days?

Codger_64

Codger_64

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Here is another current news item that brings home the point that disasters strike even without violence. No meteor. No volcano. Not even a nuke meltdown.

For the next ten days this will be TEOTWAWKI for a lot of people. It may be old hat to people along the Gulf Coast, but if this happened to you, would you be ready to help yourself, your family AND your neighbors?

http://www.kswo.com/Global/story.asp?S=7477682

http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN1042094420071210

http://www.kjrh.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=dae7add0-99e8-4802-9907-eea654810d87

http://www.kjrh.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=0ca1e229-d0aa-471b-a9cf-b569102aa40d



Codger
 
Ice storms are one of the worst, they can shut down cities for days, stopping all ground and air traffic. After the northeastern that came into Quebec a few years ago, I now have a woodstove and enough goods in the house to last weeks.
 
I am 4-days to buggout. My buggout is my fathers place with a river and wood stove.
 
We had one of those a number of years back and even though we never planned for being self-sufficient for any period of time, we survived easily for three days in February with no power. Lived in a subdivision then but fortunately we had a fireplace. It was actually kinda fun. Now we PLAN on having to be on our own for at least a week in the house. Generator, multi-fuel lanterns and stoves, wood stove in the house, lots of water, etc. As long as the house is standing we're good to go. If the house came down, it'd be a bit more "exciting" but a week wouldn't be out of the question, just REALLY uncomfortable with five kids...

J-
 
My best friend lives in Sand Springs , just outside Tulsa.

Talked to him about an hour ago , he said power is out for about 500k people , stores , if they are even open , are out of everything , and of course the temps are freezing , he also said the water plant has shut down.

No power , no water , freezing temps.

How many will say " why isnt the guvmint doin something !!??" as per usual.

One would think folks living in areas like that prone to storms and such would be at least half-ass prepared ?
 
I have a natural gas well on my property I heat with and I have a few gas lights, and 2 vintage Servel gas refrigerators.

I have 2 water wells and a way to pump water from them without electric.

I have about 25 chickens for eggs and 3 goats in milk right now

I own 85 acres and there's a lot of deer, squirrel and turkey.

If he gas was cut off I also have a cabin across the hollow with a wood stove.

I could easily go ten just eating up the food in the pantry.

One of the things I want to try when I retire is to go 3 months only eating food I produced or gathered here on the farm. The other is to go at least 1 month without driving.:thumbup:
 
What would be the best way to keep warm in a modern spec house without a wood fireplace in such an instance? Just bundle up as if outside? Alternatives to warming the joint?

I'm close to the ice storms, but last year they didn't come near us, and the same is true so far this year.

But I am going to be putting together a kit to last at least three days soon. The main thing that I am lacking is an abundant water supply. Is storing tap water long term in old milk jugs ok?
 
I feel for those without electricity. Most won't be able to heat their homes and after a day without electricity it starts to really feel cold inside. I used to jokingly say I could live for a week out of the junk stored in my truck. Bit of an exaggeration. I easily have enough food inside the house for a week or two. Plus if I have to, I can heat with a gas fireplace sufficiently to get by for a while. It wouldn't be cheap though.
 
Naked, there is so much information to give in reference to your seemingly simple questions but I'll try to answer as concisely as possible. Remember, this is just MY opinion and only one way to do it.

Heating the house: Easiest for most is a fireplace if you have it. Next alternative is propane or kerosene heaters. BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THESE!!! I always place two Carbon Monoxide detectors near them when using them indoors. Seal off a room of the house and don't try to heat the whole house. It's just not very practical. We use the master bedroom and bathroom area. It gives us water and toilet facilities and a place to sleep.


Storing water: Milk jugs are not really a good choice because they tend to degrade over time and leak at the worst times. A better choice are the 2 or 3 liter pop bottles. Add a few drops of plain bleach (UNSCENTED) until you can just barely smell it in the water. Place them in the back of your cabinets and forget about them until you need them. I also keep the bottom of my deep freeze stacked with these bottles. If the power goes out the ice in the bottles keeps the freezer cold for much longer than without them and I can always pull them out to thaw if I need the water.

Another option for water storage is the Aquatainer. I get mine locally at the WalMart. They are usually less than $10 and hold about 5 gallons if I remember right. It is a sturdy container with a tap on the side for convenience.

Feel free to e-mail me if you have any specific questions I can help with or if you want some places to go look for more information. I'm not really familiar with the rules here so I don't want to post any websites.

Stay safe.
 
In a modern spec-house, you have plumbing. That includes a water heater and two outside hydrants. Be sure to turn off the breaker for the water heater if it isd electric, or shut off the gas if it is gas. Don't want to burn up the tank if the power comes back on and it is empty. In fact, shut off most all appliances and light switches to avoid a surge when the power is restored.

Fill the tub before you loose water pressure. Then drain water from your water heater to drink, and from your faucets outside. They will usually drain most of your house plumbing so it doesn't freeze. You can refill your toilet tank from the tub to flush. Last resort, you can boil some tub water to drink. Better bet is to store a few cases of bottled water under the bed all the time.

There are catylitic space heaters made to use inside that don't give off a lot of carbon monoxide. You still have to ventilate some. A propane camp stove sitting under the vent hood on your cook stove gives you a way to cook and a bit of heat, as do propane lanterns and oil lamps.

A battery powered radio is good to have. Get one that recieves emergency broadcasts (Radio Shack or C. Crane Co.).

Codger
 
Kerosene heater is a good thing to have around should you get in a pinch. I don't like the smell, but it beats freezing. My problem there is I have absolutely no use for kerosene except for the heater. Fuel gets old. If you use on, be sure to vent the room somewhat.

I would pick up a few of the 5 gallon water containers at Walmart. Do what the others have mentioned also about indoor plumbing and so forth. Buy a couple cases of cheap bottled water too. you an always use it. Have a tarp or plastic sheeting to block off a room or two (whatever makes sense) for your survival "shelter". Check your bath tubs to make sure they hold water.... bad time to find out the stopper leaks just a little bit. I'd use this water for the tiolet. Coleman stove or gas grill is good for cooking. Try to do it outside or at least in the garage. CO2 is deadly at high concentrations.


I'm not a big fan of fireplaces, but in an emergency, a gas fireplace is a nice supplemental heat source. Gas is still available even if the electric is off. There are these propane ventless supplemental heat units which can be installed in a room or two. I had one in a house that the living room was always cold in the winter. Used one of those large propane tanks outside. Keep some candles and oil lamps too, but DO NOT leave them unattended. My brother lost his house a year ago when a cat knocked over a candle. The cat didn't make it.

I also have a small Honda generator. Works pretty well for low amp things. I would use it sparingly unless I had a gas station within walking distance. I don't normally keep that much gasoline around for such an intensive need, but I do have a substantial supply of gasoline containers should I need them.
 
Good thread Codger, thanks for starting.

It's a good idea to drain your water heater (at least a portion) once a year. Why? To purge out the sediment (if your watersupply is not perfect). Good maintenance to get it out for your water heater.

It will also maximize your supply when you need it. Good practice too - would really stink if you have a stuck valve when you really need it. I drained mine (50 gal.) recently. Have a cheap (new) garden hose just for such an emergency.
 
Some good answers and suggestions here Quiet Bear. But I have to ask...

what about Mrs. Sturtavant who lives a few doors down? She is eighty and has trouble maintaining her body heat when all is going well. Her family all lives out of state. Are you prepared to take her in too and see to her needs?

And Polly and her three kids who live at the end of the block. They've struggled since Tom shipped out with his squad and there is no way she is prepared. Are you willing and able to care for her and hers too?

You see, THIS is where the rubber meets the road. Will you just draw the curtains and not answer the door or will you go knocking on doors checking on neighbors? Are you just preparing to warm and feed yourself, or are you preparing to be a light?

Codger
 
Codger_64 said:
Some good answers and suggestions here Quiet Bear. But I have to ask...

what about Mrs. Sturtavant who lives a few doors down? She is eighty and has trouble maintaining her body heat when all is going well. Her family all lives out of state. Are you prepared to take her in too and see to her needs?

And Polly and her three kids who live at the end of the block. They've struggled since Tom shipped out with his squad and there is no way she is prepared. Are you willing and able to care for her and hers too?

You see, THIS is where the rubber meets the road. Will you just draw the curtains and not answer the door or will you go knocking on doors checking on neighbors? Are you just preparing to warm and feed yourself, or are you preparing to be a light?

Codger
Click to expand...

Good points, but where does the line stop? Seems like being proactive would be best as usual. Having some type of neighborhood meeting? Handing out fliers? This might peg you as the person to go to in survival situation though. Anyone done something like this?
 
Giving help to others is very noble. Just make sure you take care of your own family first.

If you do start "prepping" I highly recommend not telling anyone. You'll get that "well I know where we are heading if things go bad" line from everyone you know. And you know what? They will head to your place. Help where you can but make sure your family is taken care of first. If no one else knows about your preps then YOU get to decide who, and when to help.
 
I'm good. have lived through 4 hurricanes 5 major ice storms. Both of those dudes will knock your power our for 2 weeks easy. I've got enough food to last my wife and I for 1 year and have 2 month supply of water, Lots of ammo in case I have to go hunting, wood to burn and natural gas in the fireplace. I would also be more than happy to share it with the neighbors. That way folks stay neighbors.
 
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