are YOUUUUUUUUU REEAAADDDYYYYY!?!?!?!?!?!

[Le Pirate]

just to be clear:


nothing wrong with being prepared....but some of the stuff on that forum is what I would call overboard.

[ducpainter]

just to be clear:


nothing wrong with being prepared....but some of the stuff on that forum is what I would call overboard.

I think that's an automatic feature of forums in general.

[DrDesmo]

No kidding.

I'm in NH, where ice storms knocked out approx. 350k homes from the power grid last week.  I live right next to the highway - not in one of the completely ravaged areas - in a good sized down on a major road, and have not had power since last Thursday.  Allegedly I'll have it back online today or tomorrow, but so far PSNH crews have spent more time looking at the single line that's down, and going to the Dunkin Donuts across the street, than fixing it.  Yes, I know damage assessment takes time 

When your heat, hot water, etc. All run off of electricity and it goes down for a week ... Yeah, it's not a fun time.  Especially in a condo complex where the architecture isn't designed for optimal sunlight.  If we don't get power within the next couple of days, things are going to get really interesting with the radiant heating tubes once it dips below freezing!

When I get my own place next year, there will be a generator and more than one source of heat.  All set dealing with this fiasco again.

Adam

[rgramjet]

Our power was out from Sunday through Tuesday night.  That sucked in the heat.  Luckily the Honda eu2000i that I purchased several years ago ran perfectly (and quietly) compared to some of the automatic whole house generators in my hood. 

[SacDuc]

For people with generators: Do they run on unicorn tears or something? I thought generators need gas/diesel. Those are perishable products. Do you empty and refill your generator every three months or so? I mean I know farmers who have gas tanks refilled for their equipment and trucks so they generally have a stock of gas on hand for generators if all power is lost. Do you guys have something similar? I mean, it has been my experience that gas stations can't dispense during power outages.

sac

[rgramjet]

I keep 4 five gallon cans of gas in the garage with Stabil in each.  Glad I did because the stations that were open had lines out the wazzoo not to mention all the intersection blowing yahoos that forget a dead stop light by law turns into a 4 way stop sign.  I saw at least 4 accidents from Sunday-Tuesday.

I rotate the gas every 3-4 months or so.

Man I want to move out to the country.....

[cyrus buelton]

Man I want to move out to the country.....

Wife and I are going back to Costa Rica in 6 months to scout a move.

Wanna come?



How long will gas/diesel last with stabil in it before it goes "bad" or does it never really go bad?

[WarrenJ]

One cool simple thing to have on hand as far as water goes is a British Berkefield style water filter.  They have been around forever and are pretty much standard gear for missionaries and other people living in areas where the water might not be the best.  It consists of a top and bottom chamber - suspect water in the top goes through some ceramic "candle" filters and ends up in the bottom.  Each filter is good for about 2500 gallons of water or so and they have a silver compound layer that kills most bacteria.  No moving parts, not tremendously expensive and a 2 filter unit will produce at least 5-10 gallons of potable water a day.

I use one for all our drinking water as our well water while safe, just doesn't taste the best.  It cleans up the taste and odor and is super simple and on hand if a more serious need arises.  

I didn't have running water or indoor plumbing till I was a teenager so most of this "survival" stuff was just business as usual for me growing up.  

[rgramjet]

They claim 12 months.  Ive surpassed that in my boat by a lot and it still fires right up.

make the beast with two backs yeah Ill go to Costa Rica!  But what about Tizzy??  Is he done with ya?

[cyrus buelton]

They claim 12 months.  Ive surpassed that in my boat by a lot and it still fires right up.

make the beast with two backs yeah Ill go to Costa Rica!  But what about Tizzy??  Is he done with ya?

I bet if you threw some octane booster or something of the like in there it might rejuvenate it???


I want to open a bar or buy one; wife wants to own a small hotel or bed and breakfast.

I got the financial aspect of the business handled, just need the financial backing 


'Tizz has two small children; he is WAYYYYY TOOO metro to move to a developing nation.

[il d00d]

For people with generators: Do they run on unicorn tears or something? I thought generators need gas/diesel. Those are perishable products.... I mean, it has been my experience that gas stations can't dispense during power outages.

sac

I have about 15 gallons of gas for my 4500W portable generator.  If we don't run the washer and dryer, we get 24-36 hours for every five gallons.  The next storm system that looks like it is going to head into the Gulf, I will surely buy a couple more cans.  But it is possible to stock up gas for enough generator time between hurricane landfall, and resumption of normal(-ish) gasoline supply.

I bought my generator on about day 10 of 12 without power after Ike turned the greater Houston population into campers.  If I had to do it all over again, I would:
- probably not live in Houston
- evacuate for any Cat 3 or above hurricane, not because of wind or water damage, but power outages, gas/food/ice shortages.  And, uh, people not being panic-y asshole shortages too.
- buy a pedestal multi-fuel generator and tie it into our breaker.  Natural gas flows when power is out, and the generators are supposed to be quieter.

Lessons learned.   On my to-do list for the next storm is to buy a digital TV tuner card for my laptop (less power draw on than my TV, which can't decode over-the-air digital broadcasts anyways), set up tethering on our phones, and get a big ol box of MREs, which are surprisingly tasty.  Keeping food cold is a pain in the ass, cooking generates heat, and hand-washing dishes by candlelight is not nearly as fun as it sounds.  I would just as soon throw out everything in my fridge.  I am going to research the water filter WarrenJ recommended, too - thanks for the tip

[akmnstr]

Got my chain saw and my gun and my dog and a big old knife.  Don't need nutten else.

[akmnstr]

Oh, forgot. 

My boots!!

[cyrus buelton]

Oh, forgot. 

My boots!!

How much ammo do you guys keep on hand?


I personally keep more 5.56mm and shotgun slugs then 00 buck and handgun ammo.

[rgramjet]

I made my wife a bouillabaisse  for her birthday, by candlelight, midway through a week long power outtage.  Washing the dishes was the worst part.

My neighbor came by to borrow some gas.  I gave him 5 gallons but told him to seriously, next time be prepared.  

His wife brought us cupcakes after power was restored and he bought a Honda generator just like mine.  It amazed me how many people left their houses after 48 hours.  My street was like a ghost town.