Due to a previous history of mild winters, the area was caught off-guard by successive snow and ice storms just before Christmas. There were insufficient snowplows in the region, so many roads were never cleared. Usual standby Tri-met canceled some routes and shortened others, leaving many housebound.
Although December of 2008 was unusually bad, there has been a tendency towards more severe weather, so when thinking about preparedness it is reasonable to ask, “What if this is the future?” If this type of weather becomes more common, local governments will have to react eventually, but this may take time. Preparations that you can take to improve your own situation will be more reliable, and will be easy to think about while December is still fresh in your mind.
Location: What are the specific advantages and disadvantages of your area?
I have one friend who lives in a windy and heavily wooded area, and she can count on losing power at least once a year. In other areas, especially where power lines are run underground instead of strung overhead, power loss is rare. Even without power loss, falling trees can cause damage. Is there anything that could fall on your home?
Are you in a flood plain? There are areas that flood every year, and some that are susceptible to flooding but have not done it yet. What about slides? A local home was destroyed in a slide, and the root cause was a neighbor’s faulty irrigation system weakening the base. Some information may not be available, but at least look at what you do know.
In addition to looking at potential damage, also look at transportation issues. If the roads become icy or flooded, how does that affect your ability to get to work or school? Looking at alternative places to stay in case of emergency may be enough, or sometimes it may even be worth moving.
Equipment: Considering both safety and comfort, what do you need?
As a homeowner or renter, you may have a personal responsibility to keep sidewalks clear. Do you have a snow shovel? A snow blower may work for snow only, but will not work with ice. However, having some de-icing agents may also help.
For your vehicle, do you have chains? It is possible to go and get snow tires, but chains can be a one-time purchase, with no additional travel required. If that is something you are interested in, you may wish to acquire the chains and practice with them before the snow starts.
Travel decisions need to be made based on safety and practicality. I saw some people approaching the grocery store on ATVs, and that looked like great fun. However, having an alternative way to get to the store for that single two week period would not be sufficient justification for buying one. Under some circumstances, you may be able to completely avoid leaving the house until the snow clears. Do think about where you might need to go, and how you could get there.
Supplies: Are you well stocked enough to stay in?
In severe weather, the transportation department will usually prefer that you stay at home unless necessary, but necessity can be reduced by advance preparation. Just to honor the basic minimum food storage requirements will mean that you have a three-month supply of food, which should be enough to outlast any ice storm. However, if you are not there yet, getting in at least two weeks worth of food would be a good start. (If the pipes freeze, your water storage will come in handy as well, as long as that is kept above freezing.)
You should also give special consideration to the possibility of losing power, as it may change your needs. If much of your food storage involves refrigeration or freezing and then microwaving, this could lead to difficulties. Have at least some food that requires little to no cooking. You may wish to consider alternative means of cooking, but many of the common solutions that you would use for camping and other outdoor cooking cannot be used indoors. Alcohol-based fuels like Sterno can be an option, but read instructions and precautions carefully, and figure it out before the snow comes.
In the case of a power outage you will also want light. Do you have flashlights or electric lanterns, along with the batteries they will need? If you will be relying on candles, what safety measures do you have in place to prevent fire? That will include the candleholders and methods for disposing of matches, but should also include making sure that the smoke detectors are working.
Even if your heat comes from gas, if the distribution is run by electricity, a power outage will be an issue. It may be wise to have some extra blankets on hand. If a fireplace is available, do you have wood and kindling for starting the fire? Have you ever started a fire before? Practicing when it doesn’t matter makes a huge difference.
This is also a good time to think about winter clothes, especially while some items may currently be on clearance. How did your coat do? Do you have a winter hat? Scarves and gloves do not need to be expensive, but add to your overall warmth by trapping heat at key areas of heat loss. Shoes or boots that are suitable for snow can be incredibly useful. Maybe you will wish to accessorize with some crampons or snowshoes, or that may be overkill.
Consider what you encountered this winter, and then think about what is likely for next winter.
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