Usually, I sort of scoff at these reports because they are never as bad as they predict. But this one seems to be a real monster even if they are halfway correct. They are talking 1-2" of ice buildup over 48 hours reaching from Texas to the Carolinas. I am not going to go into all the gloom and doom which I have heard online but they are not wrong about what could happen with that type of ice buildup.

Fortunately I am almost always ready so all I had to do today was pickup a few small things and top off my vehicles and gens. I did not see another post on this so I thought I would give a heads up in case someone has not noticed yet, stores seemed to already be getting busier than normal today here in the ATL area.

The ice storm portion is going to miss us to the south, thankfully. Just calling for snow for us.

While it's still too early for super accurate predictions for total snowfall, it's looking like Friday night through Sunday morning we're going to get at least 6 inches and possibly over a foot of snow up here in my portion of northern Arkansas. (A few of the models are apparently showing over 2 feet of snow, though those are the outliers.)

And it's going to be highs in the 20s and lows in the single digits, with sub-zero wind chills, for several days in a row.

So even with just snow, the low temps mean the roads are going to be a mess through early next week as things freeze solid.

Luckily, I'm not working this weekend. So I won't be out in it, having to freeze my ass off while sliding around dealing with all the related traffic incidents plus the various domestics from people being cooped up inside.

I've seen some estimates of over a foot of snow here in West TN. I had some shopping to do to stock up for the next week for me and my son so I ran out at lunch today to get the shopping done, glad I did since I saw some pics of the nearby Kroger and things like bread were wiped out tonight.

I'm going to get some extra gas for the generator, but otherwise I'm good till maybe mid-week next week so even if it's bad I should be all good to go, barring extended power outages if we get a lot of ice here and it takes down lines. I don't have a whole home generator but it's got enough power to run the fridges and the central heat is gas and I can run the furnace from it. As long as power and internet stay up I'm golden since I work from home 4 days out of the week, and the one day I go in it's optional at my home office. I just go in once a week so I don't go crazy being home every day.

My son got some new games on his switch last weekend, so if he's out of school next week at least he'll be occupied while I work!

Larry

Yeah I just saw the forecast. I am in training all week and then have to travel to far South Texas on Friday and back to Austin for an investigation. I am always totally prepared at home and made sure my mom is prepared. They are saying that in Austin, Tx it will be a low of 17 for Saturday and Sunday night.

^^^^^

Going to be colder in DFW, lows maybe 10 degrees. We canceled a dinner get together this Sat, and I'm going to winterize my pool tomorrow, shut it down and drain all pumps, etc.

Yeah, got a notice today, nd the neighborhood FB page is blowing up.
People asking where the valve to cut off water to their homes, “better drain your sprinklers”, fill up your gas cans, buy extra food (bro it’s coming Friday-not in the morning).

Mind you the one asking about the water valve can’t bend over to even open the meter cover, so I guess she’ll call me tomorrow, and the sprinkler thing is bc several years ago no one listened to Mike and removed the parts and water from the sprinkler vacuum breaker-so several folks had to shell out $400 to get theirs fixed and recertified.

I’ve gotten to the point I just don’t even respond anymore.

I did go to the liquor store to get snake bite medicine.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
Yeah, got a notice today, nd the neighborhood FB page is blowing up.
People asking where the valve to cut off water to their homes, “better drain your sprinklers”, fill up your gas cans, buy extra food (bro it’s coming Friday-not in the morning).

Mind you the one asking about the water valve can’t bend over to even open the meter cover, so I guess she’ll call me tomorrow, and the sprinkler thing is bc several years ago no one listened to Mike and removed the parts and water from the sprinkler vacuum breaker-so several folks had to shell out $400 to get theirs fixed and recertified.

I’ve gotten to the point I just don’t even respond anymore.

I did go to the liquor store to get snake bite medicine.

Well maybe the good news is NextDoor and Facebook idiots changed from complaining about one ICE to the other. Morons.

I wonder how the new idiot immigrants from ca will fair.

The forecast for my area (northeast corner of TN) is for only a few inches of snow, but some frigid, single-digit overnight temps after it. In 17 years here I can't recall any of the kind of ice storms that build up on, weigh down and break power lines. In the unlikely event of losing power I have a pantry to eat from, flashlights and lanterns for lighting and warm clothing. My brother is about 50 miles southwest of me.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
In 17 years here I can't recall any of the kind of ice storms that build up on, weigh down and break power lines.

You're lucky. My area typically gets those type of ice storms about every 10-15 years.

Last big one here was 2009. Basically all of the metroplex was without power for 2-3 days, some areas were out for 5-7 days, and a few outlying spots were out for a couple weeks.

After dealing with that, I made sure that both subsequent houses I bought had gas water heaters, gas stoves, and gas fireplaces.

Currently visiting Florida, where it's cold enough that Iguanas are falling out of the trees!

I just got a diesel heater just in case. Also have gas/propane and solar generators for good measure.

Bunch of Panzies!! I could survive for two months without leaving my house. I am somewhat of a prepper. Everyone should be.
Twice, the city has has thrown so much salt down the roads are white and we get a dusting. The newsreaders say we might get two inches and before it even starts all the schools and many businesses close, and we get nothing. Bunch of Pussies!

Just a beautiful winter day in Michigan...

1-2” of ice is no joke, it will wreck trees and power lines. 2003 in Lexington, Kentucky saw many people without power for a few weeks. This one has potential to disrupt life for a lot of people.

quote:

Originally posted by MattW:
1-2” of ice is no joke, it will wreck trees and power lines. 2003 in Lexington, Kentucky saw many people without power for a few weeks. This one has potential to disrupt life for a lot of people.

Well, be prepared, stock up. It's not hard to keep a two week supply of water ,food and energy.

This morning's forecast from our local no hype weather forecaster is the freezing rain line is within 20 miles of my house.

Centerpoint Energy can't reliably provide power on a calm, sunny 70 degree day so:

quote:

Originally posted by Schmelby:

quote:

Originally posted by MattW:
1-2” of ice is no joke, it will wreck trees and power lines. 2003 in Lexington, Kentucky saw many people without power for a few weeks. This one has potential to disrupt life for a lot of people.

Well, be prepared, stock up. It's not hard to keep a two week supply of water ,food and energy.

I’ve since moved ~600 miles south, all good here during the winter

quote:

Originally posted by MattW:

quote:

Originally posted by Schmelby:

quote:

Originally posted by MattW:
1-2” of ice is no joke, it will wreck trees and power lines. 2003 in Lexington, Kentucky saw many people without power for a few weeks. This one has potential to disrupt life for a lot of people.

Well, be prepared, stock up. It's not hard to keep a two week supply of water ,food and energy.

I’ve since moved ~600 miles south, all good here during the winter

I didn't mean to be sarcastic, I just can't believe how many people keep two days of food in their house. I live alone and have two freezers full of food, 6 five gallon buckets of food with a 25 year shelf life. 100 gallons of fresh water. Yes, I'm paranoid!!

quote:

Originally posted by Schmelby:
I live alone and have two freezers full of food, 6 five gallon buckets of food with a 25 year shelf life. 100 gallons of fresh water. Yes, I'm paranoid!!

Hmm .... I wonder where all that would have fit in the two-bedroom apartment where I lived for years.