Survived the Texas Snowpocalypse

Surviving the Storm

So here we are, Texas in February of 2021. A catastrophic event of ice and snow.

Last week, teasing us with a snowy, icy preview on the 11th. Then to come roaring in over all 254 counties, starting on the weekend of love and hearts.

Many, so very many in cold homes. No heat, no way to heat food, gathering blankets and staying in bed.

Some very fortunate, in homes with fireplaces or supplemental heaters or getting power often enough to warm homes for awhile.

Lots of blame, finger pointing,discussions of what and who went wrong. And pipes... leaking, broken pipes, oceanic in quantity.

When one pays for a service, one expects that service to be made available, no matter what the weather. Sometimes Old Man Winter and Mother Nature go out and paint the town white and icy, and all bets are off. The effects of this will be felt for a long time.

Brief Snowpocalpyse journal:

Day one: Ice and snow everywhere. Management at work had given the directive for us not to try to come in and do what we could from home. We, out of power for 6 hours. The corner propane heater that I had pushed out of the way took on a sudden and vital importance. Truly, this was now the god of the household as it radiated it's warmth throughout. To think I had wanted to unhook it and store it somewhere. Blessing our gas water heater and gas cookstove as well.

Dogs inside, enjoying the warmth for awhile; then outside to get a brief respite.

Day two: rolling blackouts. Pretty much on the hour every other hour. Water down to a trickle. Filled containers and crock pots. The three Gingers; Snap, Ale, and Spice, were brought inside for the night in a large, hay filled dog crate. Plenty of room for the Three Little Hens.

Dogs going in and out on the same approximate schedule as the power going on and off.

Rushed a shower since there was low pressure water.

Day 3: Same sh**, different day. Power off and on, on and off. Hens cooing in the spare room, rewarding us with three fresh eggs.

Day 4: Roads better, drove to work, somewhat white knuckled. Put in 4 hours, then home. Ice melting, only to refreeze. Still we had heat and water. True blessings, not to be taken for granted.

Day 5: no work again. Half mile to get to the county road, another half mile to the highway; icy and unappealing. Stayed home. Hens back to pen with well stuffed nest boxes.

Day 6: melting continues. To work without incident, then home on ice free roads, power restored, water on boil order and still limited. Laundry and showering discouraged by the powers that be.

The discouraging stories from friends, neighbors, and news reports of people without power and water for days is disheartening. Balancing that are the stories of incredible kindness of people opening their homes to others, 4x4 clubs providing over 1600 rides in North Texas, people offering supplies to neighbors, churches and libraries opening up as warming centers when power was available.

What have I learned and what actions will I take to prepare?

One doesn't have to be a prepper to keep supplies handy. Drinking water can be stored in a closet, under the sink, on a shelf, in a spare room, even under a bed or table. Cases of bottled water can be stacked on top of each other against a wall. Dollar stores in this area sell gallon jugs fairly cheap. Invest in a portable survival water filter and a few spare filters.

Food: Stock canned goods and MREs. Buy a few each pay period if money is tight, or a larger batch if a tax refund comes in. Cold food isn't as pleasant but it's still food. Jerky and summer sausage will keep . Buy canned and/or dried milk and biscuit mix. However, keep priorities in mind. Milk and bread are not as important as water.

If going outside is an option, invest in a small camp stove and some propane bottles for warming food and melting snow if need be.

Preparation: if bad weather is coming, save water in pans, crock pots, stew pots, the tub, empty juice bottles. It may be water you can later boil or use to flush. Also can be available for pets. Doesn't hurt to reuse empty juice or tea jugs this way all year around to keep some available if space permits.

Get extra blankets rated for cold weather. Get some cheap ones to hang up and block of areas of your living space so the heat is more contained.

Don't forget rags, cleaning wipes, toilet paper, and baby wipes.

Heat can be problematic. A ventless gas or propane heater can be safely used, but must be rated for indoor use and of course, have gas or propane available. A carbon monoxide alarm is a must, though not of much use when power is out unless battery operated. Methods of using a clay pot heated by a tea light is being touted as a method. Safety first, of course.. don't get in a situation where you burn your place down.

Hand and foot warmers can provide several hours of heat. Another thing that can be purchased a box or two at a time and saved back. Use as instructed.

Start your car periodically and let run long enough to make sure the battery is still good. Good way to keep your phone charged too.

Which brings us to batteries... have some, as well as some candles and flashlights.

Stay safe, stay warm... stay prepared.