Snowstorm of 2023 [making snowmen, power out, camp at home, getting stuck]

This is one of the biggest storm in the past 10+ years in the area. Widespread power outage, here when we have no power, we also have no water.
If you're prepared to live in the mountains, this is not so bad.
This is how I prepare:
- wood burning stove with lots of food: provides heat and can cook your food
- save water, I have about 65 gallons saved
- candles, lanterns (from camping)
- campstove (from camping)
- have enough food! We have 2 freezers besides the fridge and freezer and freezers don't thaw out that easily. They would need 4-5 days without power just to not be frozen and more time to actually go bad. Have a pantry full of food which I have.
- portable phone chargers, you can also use your car / truck
- having a community that cares and can keep you updated - have that in this mountain, there's a great community where people will come together to help. You give when you can and you ask when you need to.
Other things you can do are having a generator that can power your house or have solar with back up battery. Solar without the back up battery won't do anything and the battery is super expensive. The generator is as well, but not as much. So in the future I'll see if I can I best in one ($10k)
This is all ok while you don't have to anywhere, so in my case I couldn't go to work Friday but Saturday and Sunday I was just at home not really worried.
Monday I'm going to try to make it because Tuesday I might get stuck at home again.

[@NorthMissouriOutdoors]

Be safe beautiful ❤

[@Huntress308]

Thank you!

[@frankenz66]

Yep, when things like this happen, one's attitude and being prepared goes a long way in making it an enjoyable time instead of a dreaded problem. We had a snowstorm and lot power for a day by me this winter in Northerm Arkansas.

[@Huntress308]

We're getting about the same amount of snow again this weekend / Monday. We got the same this past week so this will be the 3rd time. A lot of people still don't have any power. They're 15-25 minutes from my house. For example Bass Lake, is at 3400 ft and they got a lot of snow. A lot of people live there and a lot are elderly. They will be going on for 2 weeks by the time they get their power back. So for a lot no heat, no water, they're low on fire wood and no gas for their generator. The roads are private roads in the communities so they're not plowed. Luckily this is a great community here and everyone who can, helps. All I could do was donate money so I did that and I feel very fortunate that my situation is a lot easier

[@frankenz66]

@@Huntress308 Oh wow, that is a lot of trouble. I hope they fare ok. Most folk here have back up sources here by me for snowstorms. We are typically lucky snow doesn't stay long. Ice can shut down back wood areas for a month when it happens. This is one reason propane and natural gas are needed in any area prone to these types of weather. Many still use wood heat sources here as we rarely have air stagnation problems here. A little elevation csn make a big difference even here by me. I have had six inches of snow up here on the ridgetop at 1275' elevation, and in a valley, 2 miles away at 800', they only had snow through the air. Stay warm and safe. You can only do what you can do, I pushed out my elder neighbor's and I's driveway in our 11" event last January. Take care Ma'am!

[@frankenz66]

If you are in a snow prone area, getting sandbags for winter in or making your own, help your wheels keep traction. All you need is about 300-400 pounds to aide your traction. Saves you the deflating/ inflating the rear tires effort. Though that does help. I used larger stones frommy property, but I have a plastic guarded covering. Plastic tubes of sand about 60# apiece can be bought at a home center or a auto parts place.

[@Huntress308]

Very good idea. I'm going to get some. I have a Ford F150, it's pretty light in the back.
I'm also getting snow tires today. I will keep the original tires and change them back in a month and keep the snow tires in the garage until next winter. This way they can last 4-5 seasons lol

[@frankenz66]

@@Huntress308 That's good, don't let direct sunlight get on the stored tires, as it will prematurely age them. Makes them brittle and unpliable. Most midsize pickups are light end. My Tundra is for sure.

[@boomer6942]

Been Turkey hunting yet?

[@Huntress308]

Not yet. It actually started yesterday but I had to pick up a new rv and today I'm busy ☹️ then next weekend I'm going on a trip to AZ or Utah for a week, but I will hunt Easter Sunday and Monday right after i get back 😊🦃🏹

[@boomer6942]

I be going this weekend and Easter weekend. Still have get up to my place in Twain Harte are to check my game cameras if the snow has melted enough.

[@boomer6942]

Be safe and enjoy your trip.