It looks as thought we'll be getting at least an inch, maybe more of ice and then 6-12 inches, or more, of snow on top of it. What this really means is that we'll lose power up here on top of the mountain and we won't get it back for a long, long time. The last big winter ice storm in 2006 had us out for 3 or 4 days, and that didn't have snow in the mix so I'm guessing this will be longer.
It also means that for all intents and purposes we'll be trapped up here for at least a few days. The roads out here might get plowed, sometimes, under the best of circumstances and maybe some cinders will get tossed on top. But with a bunch of ice and snow and temps going down around zero at night the reality is that the roads that lead to our semi-paved road could be ice packed for weeks. Really, weeks. No four wheel drive, no go.
So I've spent the day making sure we've got plenty of wood for the stove and fuel for the generator. The blade's on the four wheeler and the salt is all up where I can get to it. My neighbor and I have to make sure that at least our road is passable because the hill leading up here is mighty steep. Steep enough that if we don't stay on top of it and keep it sort of clear it can become impossible to get to our houses or leave them, four wheel drive or not. And that includes emergency vehicles, too.
This is the time when the prep pays off. We try to stay prepared for the collapse that I believe is coming. But a great side benefit of this is that means we're also prepared for going without power for a significant period of time in the heart of the winter. There's adjustments to be made and things won't be as comfy as usual but we'll have heat, food all the other necessities that we need to get by.
And that's important because 4 or more days without power when the temps are around zero in an isolated place in the country could get pretty ugly if we aren't ready for it.
It sounds like all this will be starting tomorrow sometime with the really nasty stuff kicking in tomorrow night or Tuesday morning. I really hope we don't lose power but the chances are we will. So if I don't get a chance to talk to you over the next week or so I'll be back when the lights come on again. In the mean time my wife and I will be hunkered down by the woodstove, reading by lantern light and watching the snow fly.
I so can't wait for spring.
From my wife's blog, Moving Onto The Past:
"This storm will make history," the meteorologist said, combining the 1982 worst snow storm (around 2 ft) with the 2006 worst ice storm (several inches) that shut down the city with over 500,000 without power for days. The Missouri National Guard has been put on alert. AmerenUE, the power company, has made arrangements to bring in out of town crews.
According to NOAA weather:
THE GREATEST THREAT OF DAMAGING ICE ACCUMULATION AND POWER OUTAGES ALONG AND SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 44 IN MISSOURI (our place). ACCUMULATIONS...ICE ACCUMULATION BETWEEN ONE QUARTER AND ONE HALF INCH ARE POSSIBLE. SLEET AND SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 6 TO 12 INCHES ARE ALSO POSSIBLE.
UPDATE:
Ice: 1 inch of ice or more.
Snow: 1-2 feet depending on where you are
Winds: 30-40 mph
Trees: the last time we heard trees breaking and falling all over our property.
The Pieta Prayer Book has a Blessing Against Storms that I like. Perhaps combined with our four corner packets we'll keep our power this time!
Jesus Christ a King of Glory has come in Peace. † God became man, † and the Word was made flesh. † Christ was born of a Virgin. † Christ suffered. † Christ was crucified. † Christ died. † Christ rose from the dead. † Christ ascended into Heaven. † Christ conquers. † Christ reigns. † Christ orders. † May Christ protect us from all storms and lightning † Christ went through their midst in Peace, † and the word was made flesh. † Christ is with us with Mary. † Flee you enemy spirits because the Lion of the Generation of Judah, the Root David, has won. † Holy God! † Holy Powerful God! † Holy Immortal God! † Have mercy on us. Amen!
allwayscatholic.com
I think I will go pick a bit of that greenery, from yesterday's post, and place it in some water. It might be a nice to see in a day or two!
Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that we face the possibility of thunderstorms combined with freezing rain. THUNDER ICE!! This is going to be interesting!
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