Blizzard of 2016 - What to do? New post 84!

[explorer13421]

Central New York gets lots of snow, sometimes lake effect, which is light and fluffy, and sometimes heavier. It is a lot safer to shovel often, rather than letting it get deep. Check your rain gutters as that snow is going to melt and plugged rain gutters could get ugly fast. Check the air intakes and exhaust for your heating system periodically. If they get buried in snow, you can have a real problem. Don't climb up on your roof to shovel it off unless you really know what you are doing. I can quickly rattle off the names of at least five friends and acquaintances who have fallen off their roofs shoveling and broken things that we do not want broken. Make sure you can get out of your house in an emergency. One storm we had drifted enough snow against the doors we had a real struggle to open them. It would have been bad if there was an emergency. Check with your neighbors, especially those who are older or less able. Plan your timing about going outside to take into account it takes longer to do stuff in deep snow. Clean up your porch or yard so stuff doesn't get buried in the snow and become a trip hazard. Make sure your smoke/co detectors are working. Figure out in advance where your valves and drains are if you lose power and need to drain your water system so it doesn't freeze. Make sure you have fixings for snow snakes (hot chocolate, a shot of peppermint schnapps and whipped cream).

 

[Jessie]

I just stocked up on a relatively new bourbon, 1792 Port Finish.

I'll trade you a GALLON of milk AND a loaf of bread for ONE of those!?

 

[LostintheOzone]

Weather forecasters are 90% right 10% of the time.

Just plan for a normal commute on Monday.

 

[Beemerguy53]

So on Friday and Saturday, here in the Washington DC area we are already under a blizzard watch. Living in Northern Virginia, just outside of DC if we get the 24" of snow we will be shut down as I do not expect to see a snow plow until Sunday. I had plans to go to a local gun show in Manassas and stop at the Abraham Bowman Distillery to pick up some bourbon. Besides shoveling what would you do? It's me, wife and 16 year old daughter.

Make chili, clean firearms, drink, ??????

I'm about 70 miles north of you, and we are forecast to get 18" to 24" here. I'm ready for it.

My winter tires are on my all-wheel-drive car. Full fuel tank, fresh wiper blades, windshield washer fluid topped off.

I have enough food and beverages to last me into next week should that be necessary. I have a boatload of DVDs I haven't watched and books I haven't read.

The only thing that really scares me at this point is the prospect of a serious power outage, which forecasters are warning could happen. I have both battery and oil lanterns, and enough wood for my fireplace to keep me from freezing, but I really don't want to experience that.

It's out of my hands now...whatever will be will be. Good luck to all of us who will be affected by this storm.

 

[Beemerguy53]

Living in a part of the country where "pray for snow" is a normal winter saying, it is hard to relate to the news making a big deal out of just another snow storm.

Two to three feet of new snow just means making sure you have the snowblower gassed up so you can back the 4 wheel drive out of the garage early in the morning so you can be the first person to bust fresh powder on the slopes.

Yup just another snowstorm.

With all due respect, you'd be a lot less smug and dismissive if you lived in this area, with its topography, its population density, its traffic congestion, and its social conditions.

I love winter, and I love snow. I wait all year for snow, and don't mind driving in it, or going out to shovel it. But...

This isn't going to be "just another snowstorm". This snowfall is going to be heavy, wet, and fast, accompanied by winds as high as 50 miles per hour. Parked cars will be buried by drifts, and narrow residential streets in Baltimore and Washington will be impassible for days. (How do you get rid of that much snow in a densely-populated urban area? Where do you put it? You can't just shovel it from the sidewalk to the street, or vice versa.)

The Baltimore City Fire Department, where I spent my career, responds to several hundred thousand calls each year. The busiest engines and ladder trucks get about 5000 calls annually, and even the least-busy units get more than 1000. Medic units are even busier. Dwelling fires in Baltimore, and serious EMS calls, are a daily occurrence. How do you get fire apparatus down snowbound streets? How do get water from hydrants that are buried under 5 feet of drifting snow? Can you imagine being weighed down by your gear, and trying to stretch hose lines and carry ladders through waist-high snow? I can imagine it, because I've done it, and it is no fun at all.

This area is called the "Mid-Atlantic" for a reason. There is a strong possibility of widespread power outages, with all the headaches that will accompany that. The Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Coast will likely experience ecological damage, and there could very easily be serious beach erosion in Ocean City, and flooding of homes near the Bay. That snow you get in Utah doesn't do permanent damage to your landscape or homes...here it will.

Look at the map in post #18...see that area with the orange dotted line around it, marked "Up to 30" Possible"? Do you know how many people live in that area? Approximately 9,000,000...or more than 3 times the population of the entire state of Utah. Traffic here is heavy, and traffic jams are a daily occurrence in clear, dry weather. With major roads impassable, or down to one plowed lane, getting around will be impossible for days.

For you to blow this off as "just another snowstorm" would be like me claiming a Midwest tornado is "just a little wind".

 

[therewolf]

1.- Put on a sweater and warm socks.

2.- Make a pot of your favorite soup, stew, or chili.

3.- Go to the front window.

4.- Point, and say "Ha Ha! Lookit da snow..."

This might be a GREAT time to stay home, stay in,

stay dry, and sit it out.

 

[Gamecock]

Here in northern SC, we got about a half inch of sleet overnight. A lot of it melted on the street. Now, we've got freezing rain. Storm appears to be thinning out, so we may not get much. But, like blood and burnt oil, it doesn't take much to make a mess.

 

[Gamecock]

Breitbart: Winter Storm Shuts Down Washington D.C.

I double checked radar . . . the storm hasn't even started yet.

 

[Arik]

I'm about 70 miles north of you, and we are forecast to get 18" to 24" here. I'm ready for it.

My winter tires are on my all-wheel-drive car. Full fuel tank, fresh wiper blades, windshield washer fluid topped off.

I have enough food and beverages to last me into next week should that be necessary. I have a boatload of DVDs I haven't watched and books I haven't read.

The only thing that really scares me at this point is the prospect of a serious power outage, which forecasters are warning could happen. I have both battery and oil lanterns, and enough wood for my fireplace to keep me from freezing, but I really don't want to experience that.

It's out of my hands now...whatever will be will be. Good luck to all of us who will be affected by this storm.

I wouldn't worry too much about power outage. If it happens you won't freeze to death. 3 years ago when SE Pa experienced a massive ice storm almost everyone lost power. I lost power for 3 days. Since my house is newer I don't have a fireplace and with the power out I had zero heat. It was cold but not freezing, shivering cold. I lit a bunch of candles in the living room/kitchen area for light and used a flashlight. I threw on a sweatshirt and was fine. My house has a gas stove so occasionally I'd turn that on for 10 - 20 min, which helped some. Overall I'd say the temp inside the house was in the high 40s low 50s. So it was by no means ideal or comfortable but it wasn't bad.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

I just stocked up on a relatively new bourbon, 1792 Port Finish.

I see they sell it in VA-- a MUST try

 

[Retired Chief]

My dad (who was a Navy weatherman in WW II) used to say there were three jobs you could hold even being wrong more than half the time: weatherman, economist, and Governor!

 

[Aden67]

I am in the 12-16" forecast for the western burbs of Philly. Got my kids and have fulfilled their "wish" list from the store for food and treats. Dad is good on beer and bourbon. Kids said they can't wait to "play in the blizzard." Having lived through some growing up in Nebraska, I will see how long they last before they want to come in to play the Wii. Told kids I am game for whatever Saturday and Sunday until the NFL games come on...then it will be Daddy time.

Be safe and have some fun

 

[Skeet 028]

I love winter, and I love snow. I wait all year for snow, and don't mind driving in it, or going out to shovel it. But...

This isn't going to be "just another snowstorm". This snowfall is going to be heavy, wet, and fast, accompanied by winds as high as 50 miles per hour. Parked cars will be buried by drifts, and narrow residential streets in Baltimore and Washington will be impassible for days. (How do you get rid of that much snow in a densely-populated urban area? Where do you put it? You can't just shovel it from the sidewalk to the street, or vice versa.)

The Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Coast will likely experience ecological damage, and there could very easily be serious beach erosion in Ocean City, and flooding of homes near the Bay. That snow you get in Utah doesn't do permanent damage to your landscape or homes...here it will.

Look at the map in post #18...see that area with the orange dotted line around it, marked "Up to 30" Possible"? Do you know how many people live in that area? Approximately 9,000,000...or more than 3 times the population of the entire state of Utah. Traffic here is heavy, and traffic jams are a daily occurrence in clear, dry weather. With major roads impassable, or down to one plowed lane, getting around will be impossible for days.

For you to blow this off as "just another snowstorm" would be like me claiming a Midwest tornado is "just a little wind".

Been there done all you said. That said.. It is a snowstorm. Lived in Md all my life till 10 yrs ago. If the average idiot around B'mo would just stay inside and not have to try driving in snow filled roads they would be just fine. Keep off the road and the FD and Po Leece can get through. And I know this is going to sound nasty..but the average person has no real amount of food and other necessities stored at home. What?? Why not. We have never lived day to day like many people in the city and surrounding burbs. You can live with out milk and bread if you are prepared. In 4 days most people will be able to get to where they need to be. I worked BCFD from 68 till they sold the airport and continued with the Airport FD till 95. I planned for emergencies. Never missed getting to work even though I lived on the Eastern Shore. If it weren't for the weather channel people wouldn't be all fired up like they are now. Sensationalism and makin money!! And scaring people

 

[GatorFarmer]

Remember, according to the law of the sea, you have to draw lots before turning to cannibalism.

 

[Skeet 028]

Remember, according to the law of the sea, you have to draw lots before turning to cannibalism.

Naw the law of the sea stated you have to draw lots to offer yourself up as shark bait before turning to cannibalism. So always carry a gun shoot all the others and throw them other guys overboard first. I was a boy scout and remember the motto.

 

[nocents]

Go to the local grocery store in panic mode and buy all the water, bread and canned goods they have. You will need at least 6 months worth for the 2-3 days you will be unable to go back.

....you forgot the milk and toilet paper.......unless you are lactose intolerant and constipated...

 

[Leatherhead23]

Beer, brownie mix, gassed up 4 wheeler, sled and tow rope.

I'm ready.

 

[nocents]

....................... I had plans to go to a local gun show in Manassas and stop at the Abraham Bowman Distillery to pick up some bourbon. .............................

save your money.....real bourbon is made in Kentucky..

 

[Beemerguy53]

Breitbart: Winter Storm Shuts Down Washington D.C.

I double checked radar . . . the storm hasn't even started yet.

It doesn't have to be snowing for a storm like this to shut down a city. All over this region, schools and businesses and government offices are closing early, so the roads will be clear when the snow starts falling in about 3 hours. There is no doubt about what's coming, no false alarm from the weatherman; it's best for folks to be off the roads and safely inside their homes, so the snow removal crews can do their jobs.

 

[ladder13]

It doesn't have to be snowing for a storm like this to shut down a city. All over this region, schools and businesses and government offices are closing early, so the roads will be clear when the snow starts falling in about 3 hours. There is no doubt about what's coming, no false alarm from the weatherman; it's best for folks to be off the roads and safely inside their homes, so the snow removal crews can do their jobs.

Please keep us/me advised, we were supposed to head down to NC on Saturday but postponed until Monday, hoping the roads, or at least 95 are clear by the afternoon.