The 2012 blackout.

You can buy those rigid blue 5-gallon water cans at Walmart. I have 4 -5 of those, but when you have no water at all, 5-gallons is not a lot of water for several people. And, yes, you should keep them full and monthly clean and put fresh water in them. Used 8 gallons of Simple Green the other day on a cleaning job, think I am going to retrieve the empties, rinse well, and stash under my house. Water is always the key.

I keep a good supply of AAA, AA, C and D sized batteries on hand. They get used. I buy the big packs usually.

The candles are a good thought. I keep a couple packs of "emergency candles" on hand, and a big box full of the large diameter scented candles that I stashed out in the garage after a bit of an acccident with candles. I will not have an unattended candle burning inside my house ever again.

Tell you another very useful light to have on hand. The big home center stores sell a light/lantern that has multiple power or light brightness settings from night light to bright. These are red with a handle on them (maybe 4" x 8" x 2") called Energizer Weather Ready. They aren't cheap, but I have a couple and during the last power outage my wife absolutely loved them. When there is no electricity, there is something very comforting having one of these lights as well as flash lights and so forth. I don't break out generators very quickly, but I pay attention to the frig and freezer coldness.
 
22-rimfire said:
The candles are a good thought. I keep a couple packs of "emergency candles" on hand, and a big box full of the large diameter scented candles that I stashed out in the garage after a bit of an acccident with candles. I will not have an unattended candle burning inside my house ever again.

Tell you another very useful light to have on hand. The big home center stores sell a light/lantern that has multiple power or light brightness settings from night light to bright. These are red with a handle on them (maybe 4" x 8" x 2") called Energizer Weather Ready. They aren't cheap, but I have a couple and during the last power outage my wife absolutely loved them. When there is no electricity, there is something very comforting having one of these lights as well as flash lights and so forth. I don't break out generators very quickly, but I pay attention to the frig and freezer coldness.
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Yeah, I hear ya on the candles. No unattended candles here either. They get put in the middle of a china plate in case they fall over even if we're there then no candle wax to scape up. The REI emergency candles are sort of short and squat shaped too. I hate tall skinny candles!

We've got two lanterns we got from Dick's. Colman battery powered by twoC cells, and are LED so they have very long run times. Theres a high and low switch, and they sam to run for days on just hose two C cells. On low, the give the living room a nice blueish glow you can almost read a book by. On high, it's bright enough to read a book by with no eye strain. Karen actually did some sewing by the lantern light on high.

I'm hoping that another 21 years pass before we do this again. That way I'll not be worrying about it!:D

Carl.
 
As far as water goes, don't forget that you can drain the water heater for 30-40 gallons and also the house plumbing to get water. Most outside hose bibs are lower than the house plumbing. Just open a faucet inside to get air relief and you can empty most of the system. Water heaters have drain faucets on them too. Just remember to turn off the water heater breaker so that the elements don't burn out if the electricity comes back on before the water does.
 
On chainsaws- I have kept mine even though I do not burn wood anymore. Just run the fuel tank dry before storing them and buy a couple cans of True Fuel- small sealed cans of premixed 2 cycle fuel. No fumes and has a long shelf life. You can buy a Husqvarna model 435 refurbished for about 140.00 and it will get you out of a jam in a storm cleanup.

Lights- I love LEDs and have a variety. Also have a rechargable lantern that will charge off of a cigarette lighter or wall outlet.
Do not overlook the solar lights you can get to go along your sidewalk/flower bed. Free light that burns 3-4 hours, no fumes or flame.

Transportation- Saturday morning, we bought 20 gallons of fuel plus topped off the SUV- 40% of the gas stations nearby had no power. I also have Honda Recons and a Rancher I can use if roads are REALLY bad/blocked. Not street legal but if it gets that bad, no LEO has ever said a word to me as long as I acted like I had some sense.

We used cell phones to keep in the know and charged them at the SUV. We keep little frozen food. I keep a few small propane tanks but need to add a burner head. Luckily our water is city line so we had plenty of warm water via the old gas water heater. Once the basement is completed, water storage will improve. I usually kept a couple of new Rubbermaid Tough cans for filling in winter but, as was mentioned, these storms surprised everyone.

Sleeping on a pad on the concrete floor of a basement can help with hot weather sleeping.

Rice was a mainstay food. Sealed sachets of meat go well.

Bill
 
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Codger_64 said:
As far as water goes, don't forget that you can drain the water heater for 30-40 gallons and also the house plumbing to get water. Most outside hose bibs are lower than the house plumbing. Just open a faucet inside to get air relief and you can empty most of the system. Water heaters have drain faucets on them too. Just remember to turn off the water heater breaker so that the elements don't burn out if the electricity comes back on before the water does.
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Codger is right .just make sure to kill the power on an electric heater or set the gas control valve to pilot on a gas heater so that you don't burn the elements up, or dump cold water on a super heated empty tank with the gas . heating elements in an electric water heater last about a second if they are not covered with water. cold water going into dry heated gas water heater may not do anything (other than scare the crap out of you it will sound like it is going to explode weather it does or not) but it could easily crack the tank
See the plumber part of plumberroy
I have not lost power over 30 minutes since I bought a 5000 watt generator
Don't forget all the gasoline powered equipment needs to be run monthly so it will start when needed.
I plug something it to my generator and let it run for a half hour.
Seafoam is a far better than stabill for gas stabilizer
Roy
 
I'm not sure I'd recommend someone who has little experience with chainsaws to keep one for emergency use. learning during a bad situation is asking for trouble, and chainsaws only offer up big injuries. with a hand saw there is no need to think about the viscosity of your chain oil, are the teeth sharp enough, is the chain properly tightened, has it been damaged by running through a nail.... Steel cap boots, chaps, face shield... the list goes on. a good crosscut saw gets the job done, there is more incentive to think, and be safe. just my pair of pennies.
That said, it pays to know what the access to your community could be like in a storm, I know of a few places in Calgary that were unreachable for most of a day a couple years ago. the snow was quick and deep, and the only routes in were too deep the plow, they had to bring in the loaders and trucks to get access. No emergency service, or LEOs for most of a day... no way I'd want to live there! Had they lost power, folks would have been in big trouble.
Where I live now, there are lots of trees, and it could be possible to have some roads closed, however the bigger factor has to do with flooding, we are at the top of a hill, so no worries about severe flooding in the house, however there could be some long detours as the lower roads get flooded. Plus given how quick things flooded the last time, it could be very possible to be stuck at work with no way to get home until the water goes down.
 
I think it is safe to say, and is frequently repeated on this forum, that familiarity with ALL emergency gear is suggested.

Bill
 
I agree with you Bill, I was thinking about the lurkers, and the guys who don't have any experience with a chainsaw. I've met several who think "its no big deal, looks easy enough" one of those types burned out a saw for me because he couldn't be bothered to check the fuel. filled it with straight gas.
Chainsaws are a MAN skill, that ego tends to let us go for even when we should have backed off long before.
cheers
 
Agreed!

Chainsaws are very dangerous tools. I don't know if there is any way of getting lessons on how to safely cut with them, but they are not for the casual, first time user in an "emergency". They look like "no brainers", to operate. That couldn't be further from the truth. My best advice is to get a friend or family member that knows how to safely operate one and get some pointers. Then practice a bit making simple cuts. Wear safety glasses. Keep little kids at a safe distance. They're curious little buggers and want to get close to watch.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the two most dangerous (statistically), occupations are roofers and tree trimmers.
 
Jakeboy said:
Agreed!

Chainsaws are very dangerous tools. I don't know if there is any way of getting lessons on how to safely cut with them, but they are not for the casual, first time user in an "emergency". They look like "no brainers", to operate. That couldn't be further from the truth. My best advice is to get a friend or family member that knows how to safely operate one and get some pointers. Then practice a bit making simple cuts. Wear safety glasses. Keep little kids at a safe distance. They're curious little buggers and want to get close to watch.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the two most dangerous (statistically), occupations are roofers and tree trimmers.
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I think a lot of it is on the job training. In the Forest Service we spent half a day learning how to use a chain saw to buck brush then we were sent out to do it. After spending a number of days just cutting up brush, a couple supervised the rest on our own, we went out for half a day and were given some instruction on falling trees correctly. That included spotting potential widowmakers and being a spotter for a faller. Bucking brush isn't all that dangerous. There are a few simple rules that if followed decrease your likelyhood of injury or death. Cutting down trees for a living is really dangerous and injury or death is a frequent event.
 
Here in WV we got hit pretty hard. Still no power at my place, but we've been making do just fine. Living in the country and being an avid outdoorsman definately makes you a little more prepared for stuff like this, imho. I had the chainsaw fueled up and ready. The lantern and oil lamps came out right away, and we had a spare propane tank fueled up for our grill. Our well, overflows out of a pipe in to the creek, so I was able to rig up a hose running off of that to circulate cold water in a cooler to help keep stuff cool, until I could round up a generator to run the fridge and feezer.

We've been lucky in that our small town, got power on Sunday, so getting fuel and supplies hasn't been a problem. We don't keep a big stockpile of food, but we've had plenty of basics to get through this week and a couple more if need be. I'll agree with the folks above the at a small led headlamp and flashlight have been life savers.

Brandon
 
I agree 100% that chainsaws can be very dangerous. What I was adressing was the issue about not wanting to store fuel and the "need" to keep a chainsaw when one does not burn wood. I am 46 this year, I have been running chainsaws to cut firewood and clear fence on farms for 30 years. Never drawn blood from a moving chain.... all my uncles have terrible scars from being cut. Period. Chainsaw motor runs at approx 12,500-14,00 RPM not sure on chain speed but you get the idea, imagine a tire running at that speed and you touch it with something- that is called kickback and happens when the tip of the bar touchs something and the rest of the chain is NOT in contact with wood. Those injuries usually hit the upper chest, neck and head. I have one uncle with that one across the forhead. Falling on the saw when tripping on brush often gets the upper body as well. Being careless with cutting brush down low often gets the legs, 2 uncles have those injuries.

And yet I know homeowners who use a saw once a year and never been cut due to being very careful. Best thing to do is visit sites of manufacturers- Stihl has a good section of cutting safely. Biggest concern with a downed tree is sprung limbs, if you cannot grab the end of the limb and move it- it is sprung with energy, look at it and see where it will move when it is cut. Watch youtube videos of people clearing brush, talk to friends and family/neighbors to show you how to use a saw. Also look for info on limbing a down tree and remember that sometimes when you remove limbs- the entire tree can roll!!!!! Sites like arboristsite.com have sections to help homeowners learn.

When I started at age 15, my uncles taught me you always cut with the saw against the wood- using the first part of the bar coming out of the saw to cut. They paint the tip red and told me that tip had better never come in contact with anything unless the bar was buried.

Just as with electricity, emergency first aid, driving or climbing a ladder. No tool is safe until a person learns to use it. If I am choking and you have not learned proper first aid, leave me alone... I stand a better chance without inept help.

gadgetgeek,
Down under you folks have some of the hardest wood in the world and some of the dust from it can cause serious breathing issues. A hard place for a saw and a sawyer :) You loan saws out! Brave man. LOL!! I often just go and cut for friends that ask to borrow saw- 2 strokes die hard and fast if people ignorant oif their care use them. I just explain that I enjoy running my saws and they usually jump at the offer. Take care mate.
Bill
 
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Thanks for this post and I am glad you made it through safely. This reminded me that I am a little too cavalier about my readiness. I have lived in west TN most of my life so severe storms and tornadoes are not uncommon and I honestly don't pay them much mind. That was fine for me as a single man. Now I have a wife and children to protect and provide for. That kind of attitude is going to have to be culled.

I have been envisioning much greater and widespread catastrophes, but you just reminded me that the smaller ones are just as threatening.
 
This was excellent. Appreciate your very insightful thoughts and narrative. It got me thinking, too. I've been meaning to get a go-bag together for a long time, and I've got most of the stuff. But it's lying around everywhere in my house. In the middle of an emergency is *not* the time for me to get it all together. Damn, I need to do it right now!
 
Mag,
You hit a nail that troubles me... most of my "go bag" stuff is daily or weekly use stuff, as such it is seldom in one place. - I keep a hiking bag together and some of the items in there are also emergency stuff but then there are tools that get used that should also be in the bag. Cannot afford duplicate everything. We do what we can.

Bill
 
Bill, funnily enough I was still in Canada when I had that incident with the saw. It wasn't really mine (I was the maintenance guy at a kids camp) and the director of the camp borrowed the saw. So my saw by use, the organizations by purchase. I treat everything like its mine as far as looking after it. I'm learning that Aussie timber is tough stuff! I grew up on a farm running a saw, and like you I come from a family of loggers so everyone has a story and most have a scar.
Anyway, not to derail this further, I think we've added enough cautious notes to the thread.
Cheers
 
The chain saw safety issue is the reason I have not purchased one.

I store my stuff in a Rubber Maid tubs (not the immitations). There's no "bag" for emergency purposes. Yes, some of the stuff gets used routinely and hence is not always exactly where I can instantly find it; but most of the woods related stuff seldom gets used unless I am camping. I keep about 10 (27 gallon I think) of the large Rubber Maid tubs in my garage for storing and if necessary transporting emergency items. They would go into the back of a van or trailer or both depending on the stuation. You can stack them three high if you have enough of them and tie them down on a trailer. All are mostly weather proof. If necessary you can fill them with water.

Added: This past Thursday, we had a "big wind" that moved South beginning in KY and on down into East Tennessee. It came on so suddenly that it was difficult to react other than to take shelter. They reported 70 > 80 mph winds. I was hoping for some good rainfall, but we just got wind. I was away from the house when it hit, but when I got back there was wood/branch debris just about everywhere along with a couple large branches that broke of some of the red oaks. Trees and branches were down along roads. Power was out all over the place for a few hours and then spotting outages after that. The utility company responded very quickly. I have been removing branches and so forth from the highway as I encounter them in my work related travels. Two campers were killed in the Smoky Mt NP from downed trees.
 
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jackknife said:
Since ice was so limited, we all decided to cook the meat and chill the beer. Even in an emergency you have to keep some priorities strait.
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I'm sure this was a very informative post, but this is my take away:thumbup:
 
jackknife said:
The problem I see with a generator or chain saw is, theta they require keeping a volatile fuel on hand to run them. I'm Leary of keeping gasoline on hand. Plus it has a finite shelf life. Even putting our Vespa motor scooters up for the winter and using Stabil in the gas tanks, we've still had problems with clogged carburetors. For three days we got by using 1950's tech stuff, and the stuff did well. I just love that Union Fork and Hoe Company bow saw, and I have spare blades for it, and the Sven saw is a great cutter. They can sit for years and then cut wood with very little effort to push-pull through wood. I keep coming back to the question, how much gas can I keep on hand for how long? Balance the hazard of the fuel and the time break down vs 'will I need it anytime soon'

Carl.
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Depending on where you live...house versus apartment versus high rise apt. Keeping small amounts of gasoline on hand for emergencies might not be too difficult with proper precautions. As Power Noodle said regular gas can be rotated out and used in vehicles. The 2 cycle gas for the chainsaws is something I have learned to mix in small amounts to avoid a lot of waste. Not sure how the newer engines would handle it but I have even ran 2 cycle gas through older carbureted engines mixed with the regular gas in the tank. Made them smoke like crazy but noticed no other ill effects. I live out away from the city and do my own landscaping and yard work so I always have gasoline stored an an outbuilding anyway. In an inner city apt I would probably buy several of the larger metallic fuel cans for back packing stoves if I wanted to keep a small generator handy.
 
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Thank you for the story, Carl.

Good telling, as always! :)

I remember, at winter 2005 - 2006 we had so much snow, nothing worked. No electricity no water. But we heatened with wood, traditionally. We had warm water and no electricity for about two days. But no big problem. A woodfired oven can solve the most problems at winter. :)

Thank you sharing!

I think this shows off, how much are up to all the comfort in our lives. Electricity, warm water, internet, telefone and so on... but needing going down to about 100 years ago can bring some of people in trouble.

Kind regards
Andi
 
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