Preparing for a big storm here

The in laws are in NoVa just outside of DC and i have been trying to tell them for the last 4 days and they dont seem worried.

Lets hope the models under preform for you guys up that way other wise you are looking at a historic snow fall.

Ready:

BrotherBart said:

He said most forecasts call for this to fall in the top five snow storms in the area but that he believes it is gonna be number two.

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That's some mighty big talk, considering the 3 FEET we got in a single storm in Jan. 1996 is our current "number two."

BrotherBart said:

View attachment 172616

Our number one was the three feet in 2010. That is the path from the basement to the generator shack. For two weeks without power.

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I remember this path, damned you were pissed

Still sitting on the fence for how much we're gonna get up here. I'm taking the needed precautions. Mostly being prepared to load as much firewood as I can in the house.I can hold 1 week plus for both stoves inside. Glad I have 1 1/2 cord on the back deck and another week or so that I can pull inside.

Truck is full, and I'll fill up the car Friday night on the way home from the barn. Snow shovel & broom already in the house.

BrotherBart said:

Did you ever get a generator @Dix ?

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Nope.

Near York PA - Forecasts have pretty much all gone from 'might' to 'will' happen. Now its just the question of how much. Lowest number I'm heariing for here is a foot. More likely closer to 2. But, we are still 2 days away from this thing starting.

They keep talking about it missing us here in Maine . . . I've been pretty good this year (with only 20 or so days into the new year) . . . please send it north to us. We need the snow.

firefighterjake said:

They keep talking about it missing us here in Maine . . . I've been pretty good this year (with only 20 or so days into the new year) . . . please send it north to us. We need the snow.

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Done, sending it to Jake.

NOT (wish I could)

Dix said:

Done, sending it to Jake.

NOT (wish I could)

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Well I appreciate the thought Dix.

I'm down to about 1/4 cord at the house, which is basically 2-3 days worth of wood if the power goes out, or less than a week's worth at my more usual rate. I NEED to shrink another cord of 20" splits to 17", and move them to the house this weekend. Will be fun, if we get the forecast snow.

Just heard 5-10 inches here, and if it tracks a little North, we get slammed. I have no problem with the snow, it brings in the O/T ($$)....snowblower service done earlier this week, today I'll bring in more semi seasoned wood, Beer run tomorrow, and we're set.

2' doesn't even raise and eyebrow here. But we're used to it. Everyone makes it to work.

It looks as if this household will watch what ultimately unfolds on TV; but I bet the surf will be really lovely! I rather like "snow events" but I always worry about those who don't really understand how serious and dangerous they can be.

Do you have water saved and set aside? more is always better.
Do you have a provision for "light" when the juice fails? (oil lamps, Aladdins rock! replacement mantels, wicks, and oil?), batteries?
Do you have enough fuel for your generator? more than just what remains in the tank?
Are you "cool" with the proper use of a generator? ...
connections and safe s p a c i n g from your home?
are you willing to use the generator sparingly in case the outage is a long one??

Maine saw 2wks.+ of no electricity after an ice storm in the late '90s. It's always stayed with me. And I think of it every time I hear of a major snow "event" bearing down on large swathes of our country.

In CT in a condo, I did without power for 9 days. That really sucked.

I've since moved and have a more self sustainable property. I'm ready for 2 wks w/o power at almost any time. Woodstove, generator, 10 gallons of gas (plus what is in the SUV, car, atv, splitter, lawn mower), kerosene heater, and plenty of food.

Water always seems to be the "toughie". We're on a well and we don't have a generator (BIL next door does). But we have wood for the stoves, water we've drawn and set aside (some of it stovetop), and coolers with pre-frozen cold packs ready to go. We have a shallow pond near our home and historically we've cracked the ice and drawn "terlit" flushing water from it. Judicious attention to: "if it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down" has served us well. I've made noises about a generator, but since we have access to BIL's, it's not been a priority. With every passing year I see it as a smart "investment".

Years ago we visited my buddies uncle while were in coco beach FL. He had relocated there from Mass to retire. While sipping a beer am walking around his yard we saw the old F-250 with its 8' fisher plow still attached!
Naturally, we asked why?!
"Cause when it snows down here, I'll make enough money to buy anything I want!"
He's still waiting....

Keep downgrading this storm for us. Took the big snow thrower with me today from NH to CT so we'd have it if needed. NH is now forecasting 0" and north east CT is down to 2". We shall see....

It's winter, let it snow!

That was a close one...
My snowblower usually starts with several pulls. Even first run of the season, I rarely use the electric start. I started It early in the fall and it was fine. Usually would have been used at least a couple times by now, Since no snow yet, it has been tucked in behind the mower so far this winter. Just pulled it out to the front of the garage. Went to start it and got nothin after several pulls. Ok, plug in the cord and hit the electric start. Nope. Starter just spun and did not grab anything . Oh 'shoot'! Pulled it another 20 plus times and finally kicked. Belched out a lot of smoke but settled down pretty quick. Life is good again. Lol