spring storms
Here it is Mother’s Day [2014-05-11] and we have a spring storm. The storm started the day bad enough that all church services and meetings were cancel today for safety reasons. The ‘winter’ storm warning will last at least until 0900 Monday [so less than 9 hours from right now].
At 1700 hours Sunday we were getting reports from around town about the depth of the snow. A few of the reports were poultry 10 inches of snow – NOT drifted. Other reports were for 18 inches of snow on the flats.
Looking at the webcams on the interstate show very poor driving conditions. Portions of the interstate both east – west AND north south are closed. Hopefully the truckers and other drivers got hunkered down before the storm hit. I have not heard any reports of accidents of any size nor of any injuries.
One conversation that I had this afternoon we discussed how “Spring storms typically kill more people than winter storms because they are unexpected.” This is great truth in this. All the more reason that we should all stay prepared for the storms of life.
Some of the ‘normal’ preps that most of us carry in our vehicles ALL the time include;
Sleeping bags and or blankets enough for everyone normally in the vehicle
CB radios to get road reports and to call for help should you need it
Weather alert radio [which is sometimes also on the CB] for current weather reports and road closures.
Car charger for your cell phone and other electronic gadgets.
A power inverter can come in handy too. These typically plug into the lighter socket of the car. Regardless of what the unit is rated at it can only handle about 150 watts safely, unless they are hard wired to the vehicle battery.
A strobe light would be of use should you slide off the road.
Candles in a can are of use to keep you warmer.
Jumper cables of at least 20 feet length.
Kitty liter often helps provide traction for your tires.
Toilet paper, #10 can and properly sized garbage bags to use a toilet. This is safer than going outside during a blizzard.
50 feet of light rope such as 550 parachute line. IF you HAVE to get out of the vehicle, tie one end of the rope to the steering wheel of the vehicle and the other end to you so that you can find your way back into the car. Do this even if you are only heading to the trunk to get stuff. Yes, you can get lost in that short of trip. If you get lost from your vehicle in a storm you most likely WILL die.
Winter [spring] storms can be true life or death survival situations, but you prepare such storms can be just a small inconvenience.
What other ‘stuff’ do you carry in your vehicle for survival?
The apple trees had already blossomed – hopefully they will not be too damaged