We’re expecting an ice storm in Vermont, and last night six inches of wet, heavy snow fell (I was out early this morning wrangling the snowblower through chunks of ice-thanks so much, town plows, for always plowing me in.
Very à propos. Ice storm today in Ontario. No power, no water. Wood stove for heat and gas geny to keep the sump pump going to avoid flooding. Fun times.
My main concern is flooding, I'm in lake country. I'll start plugging in other stuff if the outage lasts long enough that I have to go out and get more gas. I'm just chilling by the fire with a cat on my lap. It's all good.
I haven't opened the fridge since 8am. I'm hoping they have things running by dinner. We're fortunate to be close enough to the main highway for northern Ontario that outages don't last days. I'm just glad it's Saturday. My teens are still sleeping😂
We’re expecting the ice storm this evening in northern New York. Restaurants are closing and events have been cancelled. Our natural gas generator is a blessing.
Thankfully all the trees and woods are 30 yards from the house. When they fall, as one did last week, it can just back back to nature on the edge of the river.
Hi Josh! Expecting the same storm here in New Hampshire, and I see it's starting to ice. Have done all of these tasks, and also made sure I have enough gas to run the generator for a few days. I will add that it's important you have back ups for your back ups. . . a generator to power the well pump, but ALSO jugs of water to drink and full bathtub to wash and flush toilets. A generator to power the electric heat, but ALSO a fireplace, wood stove, or propane heater. The generator can power the stove and microwave, but, we ALSO have a propane powered BBQ and camping stove ready. After the 10 day power outage in the ice storm of 2008 (I think it was 08, maybe 09?) I take this stuff very seriously. Last year my dog had a litter of puppies overnight during a storm and power outage, but everyone stayed warm and cozy! I am sooooo ready for spring.
Also,.install a secondary MANUAL well pump. They cost from a couple hundred to a thousand bucks (depending on your aquifer depth) and they let you get water when the lower is out.
Alternatively, a rain barrel or two doesn't go amiss (even in winter, though you do have to chip the ice out and melt it on the stove).
I believe so. I am on rainwater and so have not installed one myself. My understanding is that they run on pipe that sinks down the main bore next to the electrical pump, but I could be mistaken.
Apparently there are systems that can be hooked up by hose to hand pump the water into your pressure tank so water flows through the pipes, and into the water heater as normal.
I really want this. What a great, great idea. I do not want to be dependent on electricity for water-it's insane.
I do have a river in the back yard, so worse comes to worse, I have wash water and such. But it's not good enough for drinking.
I am a fan of using Stanley lunch boxes, to put together cooking stuff. I use those small butane stoves. I have one for tea and coffee and one for cooking. I am a fan of kerosene lamps and I do have them for heat. I have several Barebones battery run lamps that I can run off solar power packs. So far, I haven't needed the kerosene as the town has been quick to get the power going again.
So true. I do not live as much in the country as you do. But I live on a small grid that is always last priority. Here is what I have always on hand: canned tuna and corned beef, I bought a pour over coffee maker, I always have candles available, lots of blankets... Canned meats are so often underrated and considered low quality, but they are indeed much better than their reputation... I think we all should learn to survive without electricity.
Thanks for the advice! Growing up in rural Alaska, I'm shocked at how unprepared a lot of New England folks are for storms. A lot of people in my rural hometown didn't put up a lot of meat due to cost, but made sure to store fat (especially lard or other animal fat) with their beans and rice buckets - higher quality protein is better, but not having fat in your food is so much worse.
I'll look into kerosene lamps, that's an awesome improvement over the million candles I grew up with. Hope you have a lovely storm and may your shear pins stay intact.
If you want any tips on kerosene lamps, let me know. I can advise you on any type from modern simple ones to slightly more costly ($75 to $100) antiques that put out huge light and heat.
I've accidentally subscribed to so many housekeeping/mommy blogs that when I saw this title, I was initially expecting things like "burn a cinnamon candle for that fresh baked cookies smell" or "switch to extra-plush throw pillows for extra coze."
I'm the guy who 4 tears ago boiled 3 pots of water on his bropane stove and curled up in 4 inches of water in his shower only RV. Finally, a bath.
"The things we won't do for love;
Climb a mountain if I had to, its my life..." Tracy Chapman
Your place looks so cozy. Spring is coming soon, yet how special can be the warmth of winter solitude. A special exhaustion, shoveling snow, made all the more restful in cozy home.
Very à propos. Ice storm today in Ontario. No power, no water. Wood stove for heat and gas geny to keep the sump pump going to avoid flooding. Fun times.
Good lord. I hope it passes soon, Marie.
Worth it, just to live in the sticks🙂
Generator? You could turn off the breakers for everything except the refrigerator and maybe one outlet for charging to keep consumption low.
My main concern is flooding, I'm in lake country. I'll start plugging in other stuff if the outage lasts long enough that I have to go out and get more gas. I'm just chilling by the fire with a cat on my lap. It's all good.
Sure, agreed. But it could keep some food from spoiling long enough to get through the outage. Food is also expensive.
I haven't opened the fridge since 8am. I'm hoping they have things running by dinner. We're fortunate to be close enough to the main highway for northern Ontario that outages don't last days. I'm just glad it's Saturday. My teens are still sleeping😂
I ended up plugging in my freezer to bring it up to temp. We haven't had an outage this long in years.
We’re expecting the ice storm this evening in northern New York. Restaurants are closing and events have been cancelled. Our natural gas generator is a blessing.
I may have a line on a whole-house propane generator used for $1,000.
Wow! Excellent, it will give you such piece of mind, Josh.
I don’t know if you have trees near your house but trimming/removal is on our calendar this spring.
Thankfully all the trees and woods are 30 yards from the house. When they fall, as one did last week, it can just back back to nature on the edge of the river.
I love my house generator. And that's a great price.
Hi Josh! Expecting the same storm here in New Hampshire, and I see it's starting to ice. Have done all of these tasks, and also made sure I have enough gas to run the generator for a few days. I will add that it's important you have back ups for your back ups. . . a generator to power the well pump, but ALSO jugs of water to drink and full bathtub to wash and flush toilets. A generator to power the electric heat, but ALSO a fireplace, wood stove, or propane heater. The generator can power the stove and microwave, but, we ALSO have a propane powered BBQ and camping stove ready. After the 10 day power outage in the ice storm of 2008 (I think it was 08, maybe 09?) I take this stuff very seriously. Last year my dog had a litter of puppies overnight during a storm and power outage, but everyone stayed warm and cozy! I am sooooo ready for spring.
Also,.install a secondary MANUAL well pump. They cost from a couple hundred to a thousand bucks (depending on your aquifer depth) and they let you get water when the lower is out.
Alternatively, a rain barrel or two doesn't go amiss (even in winter, though you do have to chip the ice out and melt it on the stove).
I would like to know more about this possibility.
For example:
https://www.lehmans.com/category/deep-well-pumps
You can find them from several mfgs with varying specs. They're how things were done in the before-electricity times.
That looks great. Do these to directly inside my already-drilled well?
Thinking about how it’s in the front yard, and all water would have to be hand carried down a hill.
I believe so. I am on rainwater and so have not installed one myself. My understanding is that they run on pipe that sinks down the main bore next to the electrical pump, but I could be mistaken.
Apparently there are systems that can be hooked up by hose to hand pump the water into your pressure tank so water flows through the pipes, and into the water heater as normal.
I really want this. What a great, great idea. I do not want to be dependent on electricity for water-it's insane.
I do have a river in the back yard, so worse comes to worse, I have wash water and such. But it's not good enough for drinking.
Very nice!
I’d add get a generator if you can
When the next Carrington Event hits Earth, you are one of the few who will be ready to take it in stride!
https://scijinks.gov/what-was-the-carrington-event/
This is one reason why I bought a house that’s just a half-block to a lovely creek. If all else fails, at least I can haul water.
I am a fan of using Stanley lunch boxes, to put together cooking stuff. I use those small butane stoves. I have one for tea and coffee and one for cooking. I am a fan of kerosene lamps and I do have them for heat. I have several Barebones battery run lamps that I can run off solar power packs. So far, I haven't needed the kerosene as the town has been quick to get the power going again.
How do you use the lunch boxes in such a scenario?
https://youtu.be/D2zQDioZu-0?si=kuIhdaz4Gaa3aW2S
Ice storm in Toronto! Brace for impact! When will spring come? God bless everyone!
How does the heat move air without electricity?
There's no need for air movement in order to heat. This is not a forced air furnace. Heat radiates. Think wood stove or fireplace.
So true. I do not live as much in the country as you do. But I live on a small grid that is always last priority. Here is what I have always on hand: canned tuna and corned beef, I bought a pour over coffee maker, I always have candles available, lots of blankets... Canned meats are so often underrated and considered low quality, but they are indeed much better than their reputation... I think we all should learn to survive without electricity.
You know, canned meats are usually pretty tasty. Canned ham? Perfectly good. So is canned chicken breast, etc.
Thanks for the advice! Growing up in rural Alaska, I'm shocked at how unprepared a lot of New England folks are for storms. A lot of people in my rural hometown didn't put up a lot of meat due to cost, but made sure to store fat (especially lard or other animal fat) with their beans and rice buckets - higher quality protein is better, but not having fat in your food is so much worse.
I'll look into kerosene lamps, that's an awesome improvement over the million candles I grew up with. Hope you have a lovely storm and may your shear pins stay intact.
Yes! Fat is essential.
If you want any tips on kerosene lamps, let me know. I can advise you on any type from modern simple ones to slightly more costly ($75 to $100) antiques that put out huge light and heat.
Thanks for this great list, Josh, I love it!
I've accidentally subscribed to so many housekeeping/mommy blogs that when I saw this title, I was initially expecting things like "burn a cinnamon candle for that fresh baked cookies smell" or "switch to extra-plush throw pillows for extra coze."
This makes a lot more sense.
Don’t forget your Rid-X!
I am now very interested in kerosene lamps listening to you. For next winter in not that cold Northern California we still need our cozy heat sources.
Do you have any suggestions for kerosene lamp sources? eBay?
I'm the guy who 4 tears ago boiled 3 pots of water on his bropane stove and curled up in 4 inches of water in his shower only RV. Finally, a bath.
"The things we won't do for love;
Climb a mountain if I had to, its my life..." Tracy Chapman
Your place looks so cozy. Spring is coming soon, yet how special can be the warmth of winter solitude. A special exhaustion, shoveling snow, made all the more restful in cozy home.