We have all seen the media drama these past few weeks regarding the weather. Until about 10 years ago, I never even heard the term “polar vortex”, it was just winter. Living in Maine for the past 20 + years and making through the harsh winters has been a humbling and rewarding experience. Every spring you can hear people sigh in relief.
I feel sorry for the lower portion of the country that has been experiencing the extreme cold, ice and snow. It’s something that takes getting used to and it helps to have the proper clothing and gear to deal with it. Cold is cold but when the wind starts blowing, well that’s a whole different ballgame. If I stand out of the wind on a cold (10 or below) day and it’s sunny, it’s tolerable. I am by no means an expert on this subject but would offer our experiences with what helps and works in extreme cold. The good news is the polar vortex/storms do not just sneak up overnight. You can get a lot accomplished with a few days notice and some basic supplies on your shelf. These extreme cold snaps usually do not last long either (unless you live in Maine, like we do). I have also not received any compensastion for any products recommended.
LIGHTING
The upside to this polar vortex is that it’s not a sudden event, like an earthquake. The media was hyping this storm for at least a week out, which is enough leeway to make some preparations. I would imagine that most SB readers, regardless of their locations, have some form of emergency supplies and lighting for weather events. Candles are not really good for generating much light but they do make the room seem cozier. They also have an open flame and avoiding a fire is prudent. Oil lamps can produce some ok light and will also produce a small amount of warmth but that won’t do much if it’s extremely cold and you have no heat. Oil lamps also smell and produce soot so using lamp oil instead of kerosene is advisable.
My husband found these wonderful solar lights at Tractor Supply called ImPECKables. They are designed for a chicken coop but we do use them in the house. It’s a simple set up, 2 light bulbs with rechargers and under $25 bucks. The down side is they require solar charging but can be also charged on a USB port and fully charged, will stay lit for 5 hours. Having several of these, fully charged and ready to go, can be a big help. The reviews of this product on line are not very favorable but people I know that have them are satisfied with the product and the cost. Do not wait until the storm hits to start recharging all of your gear. There are much more sophisticated (and expensive) solar setups that you can research on your own but do the homework. Make sure your flashlights are fully charged or have new batteries. Batteries will sell out real quick before a storm and cold weather sucks the life out of batteries.
FOOD AND WATER FOR HUMANS AND CRITTERS
It amazes me how fast people stampede to the store like cattle the day before a severe storm. The storm was forecasted a week ago, why wait until the last minute? Go and get whatever food and jugs of water you may need early on and avoid shortages and crazy consumers. If power is going to be an issue, canned soup, tuna, SPAM (I will stave to death before I eat this but my husband loves it), crackers, protein bars, etc. With winter storms you have enough time to make stews and soups ahead of time. If you have previously canned your own stew, soups and chilis, you are all set. A batch of homemade cookies (especially chocolate chip) will go a long way in boosting morale.
A gas stove can be lit with a match but generally not the oven. If you only have an electric stove, dig out the camp stove and make sure you follow instructions for properly ventilating it. If you feel like braving the elements you can always use your barbeque grill but make sure it’s far enough away from the house to avoid a fire. You can eat soup and canned stuff cold but a warm bowl of soup if much more satisfying than eating cold food while sitting in a cold house.
Keep enough water on hand for each person and critters. It is recommended 1 gallon per person per day. Of course you will want extra for cooking and hygiene. Clean hands and proper sanitation are a must. You will survive without a shower every day, that’s why they make powder, saniwipes, and deodorant.
If you think you may be without water for a while, start filling up containers now, especially if you have livestock. All living critters need fresh, plentiful water and bigger critters, cows, horses, humans, require much more water. Keeping that water from freezing over the course of the storm may be challenging. There are great stock tank water heaters and electric waterers for all critters but these require electricity, either from the grid or off the grid.
Fill your bird feeders, the birds will really appreciate it.
There appears to be some success with filling up empty soda or juice bottles halfway with water and adding a good dose of salt. Cap them tightly and drop into the stock tank. The bottles should float. The purpose this to to keep the water moving. Smaller bottles can be used for smaller critters. Check on your animals frequently in the extreme cold. If one gets out, it could mean the death of that animal.
Animals and humans need more food and water in cold temps so make sure the critters have enough food to make it through this cold snap. Keep the animals out of the wind, this is critical. They may have to be kept indoors (barn, coop) for a week or longer until temps warm up again. Please keep your domestic animals in the house. I don’t care how thick your dog’s fur is, he needs to a warm place to get out of the wind and rest. He also may not be used to cold weather. Believe me it takes a while to get used to it. If you have any animals near a window, like reptiles/fish in tanks or bird cages, move them in further, away from the draft. The wind will find its way through many places in your house.
NO HEAT, NOW WHAT?
If you are not fortunate enough to own a wood stove, alternative heat sources can be used. If you heat with wood, stack some extra early on so you won’t have to go out in the storm and get more. Always bring in more than you think you will use.
Break out the extra blankets, comforters and sleeping bags. You will be using them.
Kerosene heaters and small propane heaters can be used inside with extreme caution. Read all of the instructions ahead of time so when the time comes to use them, you can do this with confidence. Do not wait til the last minute to buy fuel for whatever you need it for. If you need to crack a window for ventilation make sure it’s opposite the wind direction. Always have fire extinguishers on hand.
Hanging blankets over open doorways prevents heat loss in a room. If you own heavy curtains or drapes now would be a good time to get them out. All this can be done days before the polar vortex/storm arrives. Even window shades can block some of the cold. A rolled-up towel on a window ledge or at the base of a door can block a cold wind. Just as you southern folks use window coverings to keep out extreme heat you can use them to keep extreme cold and wind at bay. Just walk around and check near windows, doors and corners of your home, you will find drafts. Make note of where these drafts are for future caulking and weather stripping. The foam insulation with sticky tape weather stripping works well. You do have time to do this before the storm hits. Keep a few extra packages of the stuff on hand. It takes up very little space and is easy to use.
Frozen water pipes may be an issue, especially if the plumbing is on an outside wall. It is never pleasant to wake up to this situation and even worse if they break. Keep your cabinets/cupboards open and let the warmer air get into the plumbing pipes. You have time to cover some pipes with foam pipe insulation. It’s easy to just cut to size and slide onto your pipes. If you have a bathroom with no heat, your toilet can freeze and crack. You don’t want this to happen. Add RV antifreeze to your toilet or shut off the toilet and drain it dry. Make sure to drain the traps and valve stems. A jug or 2 of RV antifreeze can sit in a basement or garage for peace of mind. If you have a crawl space, you will definitely want to insulate those pipes. Heat tape works well but again this requires electricity. Cover outside faucets and vents to keep out drafts. Make sure you only cover vents you will not be using. Any vents that you do need will need to be kept free of snow and checked periodically because of blowing snow.
Keep the water dripping in your faucets, both hot and cold. If it’s very cold in your home you may have to lightly run the water. If your pipes do freeze, don’t panic. Do not use a propane torch to defrost them! Every year we read about fires from someone with a propane torch and an idea about how to quickly unfreeze a pipe or melt an ice dam. Try to find out where the frozen area is, you may have water in one part of the house but not another. Keep the faucet partially open so when the water starts flowing you don’t have uneven pressure. When the power comes back on, use a hair dryer and heat the pipes right before the frozen section. You can also use a heating pad to wrap around the pipes. Do not use boiling water to unfreeze them! Know where the shutoff valve is in case the pipe is ruptured or cracked and then call the professionals.
CLOTHING
Even if you live in a warm climate, you may still experience periodic cold spells. A pair of wool socks, wool gloves/mittens and a hat will not occupy much space on a closet shelf. Better to have them and never need them than to need them and not have them. Most southerners do not own parkas but wearing several layers of clothing and jackets can keep you warm. A windbreaker jacket is a deal breaker. You need to block the wind if you are outside or it will suck every bit of warmth out of you. Panty hose, tights, or yoga pants under your jeans will make a nice insulating layer.
If you do not own warm boots, pay close attention to your feet if you are outside for any length of time. Avoiding frost bite/hypothermia is critical. Read up on these conditions and be familiar with the symptoms. Both conditions can occur rapidly. Keep your skin moisturized and chapstick handy. Skin cracks are painful as is chapped skin. O’Keefes Working Hands is great for skin protection in really cold weather.
When a person goes to check on the animals or check whatever and is not back in the expected time frame, please go and make sure they haven’t fallen on ice and are hurt. You can die of exposure very quickly in severe cold. If you are living alone, be sure to carry your cell phone with you.
PLANTS
If you have outside plants in pots on a porch, bring them in. You can try wrapping fruit trees and covering gardens but with extreme cold for several days, expect them to not do well. Some plants and trees will bounce back after short cold periods but it may take a while. You really do not have a lot of control over this.
VEHICLES
People living in cold/snowy climates know all about 4-wheel-drive and snow tires. Southern folks do not usually have snow tires on their vehicles. Do not go out and drive unless absolutely necessary. Let the professionals clear the roads. If you are not used to driving in these conditions or have the right equipment, it may cost you or someone else their life. If you must go out, make sure others know where you are going and stay in contact with your cell phone. Pack extra clothes, food, water, blankets and flares in case you break down, go off the road or end up in a 100-car pile-up. It could take a long time before some finds you. Make sure your tank is full before the storm starts.
Your should start your vehicles daily and let them run for 15 min to keep the battery charged and fluids circulating. When the cold weather breaks, expect to have to add some air to your tires.
CONCLUSION
No need to panic or run like the headless chicken but you do have time to get ready for a polar vortex/storm. The weather forecasters make it sound like an apocalyptic event but it is usually a week or less in duration. You can do a lot to mitigate your outcomes. Think things through, make lists and check supplies. Then repeat those 3 steps again. Common sense prevails. Have your supplies accessible so you are not stumbling around in the dark or in a panic because you can’t find something. Check on neighbors, friends, and relatives. Have some games and books to keep you occupied. Before you know it, the ice is melting!
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