Dude- Where’s My Electricity?

Ice Storm Ravaging Midwest

An impressive ice storm has ravaged the Midwest the past 48 hours and WillowHavenOutdoor is right in the middle of it – Indiana. With 10s of 1000s of homes having already lost power in over 10 states, this ice storm is a subtle reminder about the importance of preparing for such events in advance. I’ve always said if the time comes when you realize you need supplies, it’s already too late because everyone else is thinking the same thing. I went to the grocery store last night to pick up a few odds and ends and most of the basics were already cleared out – milk, bread, etc… and one item I found interesting – all of the bottled water.

Of course I had already made the appropriate preps a few days ago 🙂

On this note, though, I have put together what I call a Winter Storm Checklist to run through if you hear wind of a Winter Storm coming in your direction. Feel free to print this off and keep it with your Bug Out Bag or in your First Aid Kit to reference at any time.

WillowHavenOutdoor Winter Storm Check-list

To be completed 48-72 hours in advance of a Winter Storm.

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• GENERATOR with at least 5 gallons of extra fuel
• 1 gallon of water per person per day in house (3 day supply) (more if your well has an electric pump)
• 3 day supply of food: Non-Perishable & Easy to Prepare (Ready to eat canned meats/fruits/vegetables)
• Non Electric Can Opener
• Stocked First Aid Kit
• Ample Supply of Prescritption Meds and Medical consumables such as syringes and contact lenses
• Alternative Light Sources (candles, oil lamps, flashlights)
• Extra batteries for the Flashlights
• Have some CASH on hand – just in case
• Have 1 NON-electric powered phone – just the old school ones that don’t need electric to operate
• Extra cell phone battery – FULL CHARGED (you can also use the generator to charge cell phones)
• Warm sleeping bags & clothing
• Full tank of gas in your car with a few gallons in the trunk as well
• Alternate methods of heat (wood stove, kerosene heat, propane heater)
• Crank or battery powered radio
• Bring some tools in the house (hammer, wrench, utility knife, multi-tool, screwdrivers, shovel)
• 1 Gallon of Bleach for sanitation
• Personal Hygiene items (ie: wet wipes, diapers, feminine hygiene, toilet paper)
• Garbage bags to dispose of personal sanitation items and/or human and pet waste w/ some kind of ties
• Set of 2 way radios
• Fire extinguisher
• Copies of important documents, account numbers & phone numbers (bank, insurance)
• GAMES – being stuck on the house doesn’t have to be horrible.  Playing games by candle light can be a great time and it keeps everyones mind off of the reason you have no power in the first place.