We have had two snow storms in Alabama in the last month which is just amazing! Anytime we get any snow it is such a treat. Because it is so rare people in our area aren't always the best at being prepared to handle being stuck at home a few days. I grew up along the Alabama coast so we had hurricanes and tropical storms every year. It was normal to keep some food and supplies stocked up for power outages. In north Alabama we have a lot of tornados so we really need to keep supplies to weather these storms also. So what do we need to have ready?
- flashlights and batteries- I have a wind up flashlight in the car and rechargeable batteries for the inside flashlights.
- lanterns- mine has full light or a night light setting
- oil lamps- oil, extra wicks
- lighters and matches
- wood
- tarps
- duct tape
- extra gas tank for the grill
- campstove and fuel
- battery operated radio
- phone that plugs in the wall- not a cordless phone
- charcoal
- water- when we know a storm is approaching we fill every container we can find with water. This time I filled my large crock pot also. Fill a bathtub for washing water. You can use the water from your water heater in an emergency.
- canned food
- snacks- granola bars, chips, crackers, peanuts- everyone gets the munchies
- a can opener
- blankets/sleeping bags
- candles- I pick up all candles at garage sales usually for 10-50 cents. I really like the large pillar candles. You can set them on small plates or in glass cups.
- coffee purculator for campstove
- ski bibs, ski boots or at least rubber rain boots- I put our stuff in the attic that we used on a trip to Michigan in 1998. What fit my oldest in 1998 was floodwaters on my youngest this year. My husband had two sets of boots and pants so my 18 yr old son was able to use a pair of those. I will be keeping my eyes out for stuff at garage sales and thrift stores to store away.
- knit caps, knit gloves, ski gloves, scarves, ear warmers
- snow shovel
- rock salt to melt ice
- all prescription medicines- don't let them get too low
- cash
- rubbermaid box and toilet plunger- if you need to wash clothes make a hole in the top of the lid and insert plunger. Aggitate the plunger to wash the clothes.
- keep your gas tank at least half full, top it off when you know a storm is coming
- copies of important papers
- pet food
In your car:
- blanket(s)
- space blankets
- flashlight and batteries
- maps- our GPS would not work most of the way home from our trip to Georgia
- cell phone charger
- First aid Kit with medicines
- cash- including some change
- extra socks, knit caps, knit gloves
- ponchos
- work gloves
- Leatherman type knife
- folding shovel
- jumper cables
- tow rope
- tire flat fix in a can
- duct tape
- flares
- window chalk- you can write "Need Help" on the window
- notebook and pen/pencil
- handwarmers
- coffee can with candle and lighter
- snacks: Peanut butter crackers, trail mix, water, granola bars, protein bars, gum
- umbrella
- ALWAYS take a jacket, even if it is only mildly cold. It gets very cold when standing on the side of the road or walking when cars pass you by.
When you know a storm is coming:
- Get gas
- Get any non parishable foods you are low on
- Fill containers with water
- Everyone bathe- may not be able to for a few days
- Wash clothes, sheets, towels
- Clean up- make sure your bathrooms and kitchen are clean, vacuum
- Put up items in the yard- pots, bikes, etc.
- Get cash
- Get out a flashlight or lantern so you know where it is
The more you have prepared ahead of time the less you have to do. If you have food, cash, and emergency supplies ready in a special place you won't be the one in the store fighting for the last loaf of bread or sitting in a gas line.
