Temps dropped to a body freezing -33 at 0627 am this morning. Then it happened our power went out, no power, no HEAT. It was out over a large area of central MN. the whole house was awake as it was too quite. We all made the most of it. My grandson sam didn't understand why no power. I felt my blood sugar drop too low for my body at the same time. I made myself something to eat. Relaxed and went back to sleep under my blankets.
My biggest fear entered my mind, that my whole family and so many others were going to die, frozen to death. Over dramatic maybe. I even thought of writing a note to my son in Fla. I wasn't panicking, just told myself that it was my time to go. Yes I knew the power would be restored, but when??. I shut off my cell to save power. turned on the water to trickle as so the pipes wouldn't break and cause more damage. The power did come back on, and the house is getting warmer again. As much as I try to be prepared, I wasn't. Yes we have food, not much water, plenty of warm blankets and clothes. But I am not ready for a winter this cold. This is the first time since we moved back from Fla., that its been this cold. One good thing my car did start in this cold. That is the one thing I was suprised at. In my mind it was not going to start.
You my ask fo someplace warm. If the power is out every where, the schools would not have power either, nor any of the churches. Well my friends i am going to lay back down under my blankets and give thanks that my panicking was in vain. I didn't let my family know my feelings better to not panic them too.
Be safe...Rob
15 comments:
Rob, we have a couple of those propane-powered "Little Buddy" heaters, and the gas cooktop can still be lit with a match. A percolator is ready to make coffee. Lots of spare blankets are kept accessible, and we have flashlights on every level of the house. There are oil lamps, and lots of batteries. We've tried to make outages, however rare, an adventure - especially after one that lasted 13 hours in subzero weather, shortly after we moved to Alaska. That was an eye-opener. But you survived, and that's what counts. We're glad you're okay.
I knew we could lite the stove top and heat water to heat, steam the house. I have looked at the propane heaters, but it was not high on my list. i do want a stove top coffee maker of old. Shopko h as them for camping but way too high priced. I visit Goodwill monthly. Shopko has had small generators for $20.00 but its out of my budget range. I guess its time to rethink priorities. We still have the bitter temps of January ahead.
I meant to say $200.00 for gen.
Propane 'Buddy Heaters' coupled with Carbon Monoxide detectors are the best bang for the buck anywhere.
A few years back we lost power for most of a day and my Big Buddy heater(4K/9K/18K BTU) kept the core of the house warm with no trouble at all. Right now were are having sub-zero temps and I use it just to keep the back rooms liveable in my drafty old farmhouse.
Arthur for stopping by. We live in a mobile home that is very drafty. We are signed up for energy assistance, and to have our place winterized. New windows etc. i have a feeling I better odds of wining the lotto and moving into a real home. then getting help winterizing.
-33f now that’s nuts!
I did grow up in Chicago and occasionally we would have a few days at -20 but most were far warmer and manageable overall. However, those winters were the reason for moving south. Trying to deal with super cold puts your life at risk. I can live with 90+f without A/C but not -20 without heat, you have to have heat to survive.
I was thinking about your situation and how to have emergency heat and light CHEAP! The only things I can come up with is the old reliable portable kerosene heater (which I had in Chicago) and the good old and very reliable kerosene lanterns. Kerosene stores for years so in a pinch you have the basics covered. Maybe a trip to some flea markets can turn up a deal for you.
Stay warm,
Mike
I second the Buddy heater idea. I'm currently in Tennessee where it's a brisk 19 degrees and the Buddy Portable is keeping my camper toasty warm. I've got it hooked to a 40# cylinder outside using a 12' hose. The literature says make sure you have a 3"x3" opening for fresh air, the heater has a low oxygen sensor and automatic tip-over shut off. For the heater, hose and filter (required for using larger than the 1 pound tanks) I paid less than $130 at Lowe's.
I don't live where it gets down to -33*, but it doesn't have to get that cold to kill. We keep several kerosene heaters at the rancho; two of them in the house; the rest in the barn and the ham shack. They're as common as pigeons at yard sales, and can be had for as little as $5.00! They do a bang-up job of heating, and don't use too much fuel. I lay up several five-gallon containers of kero every year, before it starts getting cold and the stores jack up the prices. Harbor Fright (pun intended; I don't like Chinese crap!) sells serviceable propane heaters that bolt onto "barbecue tanks." These things work really well too.
We have two big flash lights, for the family lighting. We had three but one broke. I was at WM today and they had cheap kerosene lamps but they are so cheap I was afraid they would melt. I found a twin pack of the big batteries for like $5.00. I also found a camping coffee pot. Things to add to my need to get list.
Thanks NightSky. Things to check out.
Thanks Pete. We don't always get that cold, but I was caught unprepared for the cold. Since I'm on a fixed income I will be making changes soon. Yard sales and estate sells are usually picked through early or over priced.
Thank god the power company had the power restored in 2 hrs this summer it took, 30 hrs. It was ugly.
Rob, I agree on the Mr. Heater/Buddy Heater/kerosene heater that are safe for indoor use. They are big sellers around here and are on sale now. And, yes, you should have a carbon monoxide detector unit, too. I don't remember if your mobile is a rental or not. If it is I think that the rental co/owner are required by law to provide a functional carbon monoxide detector if you have any gas appliances. I know when we rented in CA it was required because it had a fireplace and the stove/oven was propane. Candles/oil lamps will give off a little heat, too, in a pinch.
Another thought is for the next time to stay in the same quarters. Close up the bedrooms and try to stay in one room. Keep your 'heat' in the same place. When I was a kid my family did that when we had to go to the orange grove and stay in the 100-yr old farmhouse in the Central Valley in CA (deep, damp cold in the winter... 32F and tule fog). We'd all sleep in the living room where the fireplace was. A curtain closed off the kitchen so the living room would stay warmer.
Just a couple ideas. And good reviews from your visitors above. Though we have the fireplace, we're short on non-electric heaters, too. Something to look into.
I'm glad you made it through safe & sound! And that it was only a short time to test your preps. Now you all know where 'holes' are that need to be attended to.
Stay warm! Weatherguessers are saying more cold temps coming up.
~hobo
Hobo, Thanks for the tips. Our mobile is mine on a rent to own CD. The company we are buying from is basically hands off. Its like buying a used car, as is no warranty. I am responsible for the home. The park is responsible for everything below ground. Having extra electric heaters is a good idea, but it was the power we lost, not the gas.
I am taking note of issues that come up, and try to react, recover, as I can. I shouldn't take things for granted.
Is a generator an option? Gas lamps for light, and a couple packages of hand and toe warmers.
Rose, a generator is an option. I am concerned about having gas/kerosene with a 3 yr old in the house. If we go that route, I will have to hang them up from the ceiling.
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