Ice Storm

[bacpacker]

I will add more later, but the short of this thread is as follows. We got hit with an ice storm on Monday. It came down from about 10:00am until after midnight. We ended up with a good 1/4" coating everything around. Things went well until about 8:30pm. Lights flickered three times, 4th time, didn't come back on. At least not until about 3:00pm today. We never did lose water.

I sure found some holes even though things really weren't that bad. Some of it was a few things that could be purchased. Others things I need to work on and improve. I gotta do a full review of what all has went on and come up with fixes for them. I'll post more later once that is done.

[Stormfeather]

I was wondering if any ANTS were affected by those ice storms that came thru.

[Sniper-T]

for once, we missed them. Hope things work out BP. looking forward to hearing the synopsis!

[bacpacker]

I haven't gotten much news the last several days. What I have heard is that at the peak there was more than 60,000 homes without power in Tennessee..
More than 15,000 in our utility district alone. I finally got thru to them this morning around 10am. They told me that there was no estimate on restoring power, they still had 10,000 left to go. My mom told me that at 6pm the report was down to 7000. The crews had a heck of a day. My hat is off to those crews. Not a fun job to be on. And dangerous as well.
Tonight we are expecting single digits and maybe below zero tomorrow night. Expecting more snow and sleet by Friday.
At this point I think the worst we may have would be losing some food from the freezers. But at first check I think we may have scraped by on that.

[Stormfeather]

How are you losing food from the freezer?
Bag it in trash bags, set it outside...let Mother Natures freezer take over.

[bacpacker]

Our temps have been fluctuating in the mid 20 up to low 30's. It just didn't seem like we would benefit from that. If it had been tonight, absolutely. We really had no snow to bury the food in either. I felt like we were better off keeping the freezers closed. It seems to have worked at this point. I checked them both tonight and everything is still solid with no indication of frost thawing and pooling in the bottom. The wife had made some strawberry freezer jam and it was stored in the door of our upright, there was zero liquid in those. The best I have been able to learn, uprights are less efficient and doors are usually the worst.

[Domeguy]

BP, I wish you the best. I saw on the news your area was going to get a lot worse than we got. We just slid under this one. Monday we just got rain with temps in mid 30's. I got everything ready, but nothing happened, we had some ice build up, but not much. I think our valley holds some heat in, as yesterday, my wife and I went to Lyncgburg to see how the roads were so she could go in today. The closer we got to Lynchburg, the more ice build up there was. Then Wednesday morning, we got about 1 inch of snow and ice. The temp right now is about 10, and will get to about zero. I will probably be awake all night, just in case anything should happen to freeze and brake. Again, BP, please let me know if I can help in any way.

[bacpacker]

I know the forecast had a thin band across the state with mostly ice. North of that was snow, south just rain. I guess we got lucky. It is funny how valleys and ridges can have such a difference in conditions.
Thanks for the offer, but things seem to be getting better. 6 degrees this morning, but we had a good night's sleep.

[ak474u]

I guess you could put water bottles outside and let them freeze and move them inside to the freezer to extend the cold in the freezer a little.

[ElevenBravo]

We got the snow... I got around in the Jeep just fine, but the temp is a record setting 6degF right now, still dropping. High today was 12!! I think Sunday is going to be better, but its only Thr!

EB

[bacpacker]

Our high today was a record low of 16. Expecting 1-3 tonight, again a record for the date.

On a side note, Mt. Leconte, the third highest point East of the Mississippi at 6593' had a low of -23, with a wind chill of -67.

[ElevenBravo]

Its 4 now, supposed to be zero in the morning... Its cold in the house, I shut my Procom heater down for the night, it was only cycling off for about 4 minutes before it came back on again on a low setting of three (out of nine on the thermostat)!

Ill fire it back up in the morning and run it all day and evening again.. I would sleep with it on but only feel comfortable doing it in an emergency like when the power fails and the furnace wont run. I trust the heater is safe, Im just a little paranoid.

Its pretty cold in the house, Ill tell ya that much! Dog wont even go outside, not until her bladder is about to bust I reckon!

I know, 2 aint that bad... if it wasnt for the wind!! Gusting to 17mph is all...

EB

[jamesneuen]

i know how you guys feel. it hit 56 today. record lows down here

[Sniper-T]

Stay safe EB. When I bought my first crock pot... I would only use it when I was home... in time I learned to trust it. Now it's a plug and play. turn it on in the morning, dinner when I get home. Let it prove itself!

[bacpacker]

Better safe than sorry. I borrowed a Coleman heater that mounts on a Propane tank. I've been running it till we get ready for bed in the basement near our water inlet last night and today to make sure the it don't freeze up. We haven't ran into that before, but with our luck this week, why take the chance.

[Katrina]

Stay safe. It's below 0 here with wind chills making feel like 10-20 below. We haven't got the snow or ice though.

[Willie51]

Let I say, thank God for global warming, otherwise just think how cold it would be! :cool:

[Sniper-T]

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/articles/nasa-satellite-captures-eastern-us-in-the-midst-of-record-breaking-cold/45846/

[Domeguy]

My wife and I left for Athens, AL yesterday around noon to get our taxes done. Our Lynchburg, TN area, according to Nashville news weather, was going to miss a big ice storm, as they said it would be way north of us. We were going to leave around 5pm, but instead she called me and said lets leave around noon, as Lynchburg was expecting a lot of ice. Nashville weather guys got it wrong. Just as we pulled into the hotel in Athens, the ice storm hit. We were going to eat lunch at IHOP, but they closed early for bad weather, so we went to Logan's and watched I-65 go from ok to so bad they were getting ready to close it down. Logan's was just across from our hotel, so after we got done eating, we went back to the hotel and watched the Huntsville news. They were reporting wrecks everywhere. The main area they reported from was the Athens I-65 ramp area, right smack dap in the middle of where we are. There are semi trucks stopped everywhere, and the have the state troopers driving around picking up stranded people and taking them to a large local church for the night. Every hotel for miles is full. Luckily we knew we were going to have to be here early in the am, as our appointment is for 7am, so we booked a room on Thursday. The area for miles around is coated with black ice, and they have shut down a lot of the roads. Seem like we drove into the middle of the worst place we could have gone to. I hope we can get out of here in 4 hrs and get to the tax place, and especially hope they won't be closed due to bad weather.

[Sniper-T]

drive safe! and more importantly watch out for the idiots who aren't!

[Domeguy]

Just got back to the hotel. Every hotel has a no vacency sign, and every restaurant, even fast foods are closed. Luckily the hotel has a breakfast bar in the lobby. The lobby was full of people who were given permission to sleep in there just to get out of the weather. It's starting to rain, and the ice is starting to melt, so we will hunker down here for a couple of hours before heading back up north, but don't expect any problems.

[Sniper-T]

make SURE the roads are open ALL the way, or you might find yourself on a pew half way home!

[Katrina]

Take care Domeguy. Son one got out of ATL just before that all hit. He's in LA now for work. Just hope he doesn't slide into the ocean,LOL

[ladyhk13]

DG it's just raining now. We had the ice last night but since the rain started earlier it's starting to melt in most places. Not sure about getting up that driveway of yours though! Call if you need help.

[Domeguy]

We are home, and snug as a cat in a dome. Thanks to all who were concerned?

[ElevenBravo]

By now were supposed to get rain.. but no, we got another 5 or more inches, and its still snowing.

BTW, the Jeep Cherokee with Goodyear Wranglers has done fantastic, Ive yet to need to put chains on!

EB

[ladyhk13]

By now were supposed to get rain.. but no, we got another 5 or more inches, and its still snowing.

BTW, the Jeep Cherokee with Goodyear Wranglers has done fantastic, Ive yet to need to put chains on!

That's what I had on my Grand Cherokee and loved them! Great tires for that vehicle! Never once had a problem with them in the snow or ice even though it was a 2wd.

- - - Updated - - -

[QUOTE=Katrina;79189]Take care Domeguy. Son one got out of ATL just before that all hit. He's in LA now for work. Just hope he doesn't slide into the ocean,LOL

Are they getting bad weather out there Kat?

[Sniper-T]

Oddly enough... wranglers are my most hated tire for winter driving. they are great for the first 30000 miles then the edges seem to round out and they really suck. IMO. I've ran BFG's for 25 years-ish and would walk through where my buddy's got stuck with their wranglers... until this year, I put on a set of Cooper Winter tires as per another buddy's recommendation (the one that beat me through the shit after I shamed the wranglers, and holy fried cat!! These things are awesome! I have never had a tir do so well on a pickup. and that is just running 2 wheel in my Tacoma. 4 wheel... even I am amazed what that Toy will get thru.

[mitunnelrat]

I'm still having too much fun doing intentional doughnuts to worry about traction, but I'll be keeping the Cooper info in mind.

For weather, its pretty nice here today, clear skies and mid 20's, but bitter cold earlier this week, and from what I hear there is more coming.

[bacpacker]

We had a break after the 1/2" of snow overnight. A little sleet, then just rain the rest of the day. Starting to melt everything now. According to the news report, the next 7 days look rather dry.

[ElevenBravo]

None of the ice that was forecasted, we did have some sleet for a while but transitioned back to snow, and its been non stop since 5am, thats a little over 14 hours ago.

EB

[ElevenBravo]

Alrighty then... About 9pm the snow stopped, and were getting sleet and freezing rain... 24degF so it might deteriorate.

Genny is on standby, temps SHOULD be above freezing, but thus far the forecast has been less than stellar.

My 20lb propane tank is 1/2 full or 1/2 empty, u pick.. full tank on the patio so I should be able to go about 5 days non stop with heat (Ive got 2 other tanks but there not full).

EB

[Taz Baby]

Been snowed in since last Friday, got 15 inches altogether. Dug half way out yesterday and finally made it to work. Boy was my boss happy. Dug out the rest of the way today, so I can make to work tomorrow. And now it is raining and another storm behind that. When I woke up that first day and saw all that snow, the first thing I thought of was," this must be what Sniper-T sees everyday." I am not good shoveling snow.
https://scontent-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/603873_10152768967814611_3062415278632589711_n.jpg ?oh=49504421e747b272bc16504c91d2c9ca&oe=5595CDC4

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10991264_878473032175028_7483681078277614637_n.jpg ?oh=dfbbacd4003de2186ba88acb4f3e048b&oe=558DC9AD&__gda__=1431112725_ed5303d119372a1f20d4e6e0a54ae5d 9

[ElevenBravo]

Whew! Temp is 32 and snow is melting sun is out, lets see how it works out.

[ak474u]

The torrential rains have started here, and the temps are dropping. Tomorrow is gonna be fun, supposed to be 25*

[Sniper-T]

Yup. Welcome to my world! Although I think you got more snow than I do right now. Just be glad you don't have our -30 temps

[ElevenBravo]

We got high temps of 48 which allowed me to dig out my stepdaughter and send her home, her home, thank god.

Beautiful day, good exercise (part of prepping, physical fitness).

EB

[ak474u]

It's been sleeting here mixed with rain, we have thunder sleet on its way, and the trees are loaded with ice. Not sticking to the driveway yet, but it will be soon.

[mitunnelrat]

Currently -10 here, but just another day in the neighborhood, really. Its amazing what you can get used to. My dog saw his armed escort outside in shorts and a tee shirt this morning.

[realist]

Too cold for me, I know we have our issues out here but I do not like ice and sleet, cold and snow I can handle. You folks be careful and try to stay warm.....

[ak474u]

I'd say we're a little over 1" of ice so far, and it's not letting up. My first day of the new job was cancelled, and It won't get above freezing today, so maybe I won't have jury duty tomorrow.

[bacpacker]

Ak, that's thicker than we had. Do you have lots of trees in Dallas? Never been there before. Are utilities above or below ground?

[Taz Baby]

3 inches of snow when I woke up this morning and still snowing. Don't go to my paying job, but will be shoveling snow all day so I can go to work tomorrow. This is how I play in the snow.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/4e/24/5f/4e245f971485a1636cc549ded5c33e94.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/53/14/fb/5314fbfb663f453e0d8bf33c3d0e8456.jpg

[ak474u]

Ak, that's thicker than we had. Do you have lots of trees in Dallas? Never been there before. Are utilities above or below ground?

Lots of trees, but in the areas with above ground utilities, they keep the trees trimmed pretty well. We have underground, and have kept power so far. The ice on the trees is gone, and my roof is dripping, but it's still 29* here. The roads in my subdivision are great, the city sanded and deiced last night sometime, but the access road next to our neighborhood is bad. The ice is blocking the runoff, so there are huge pools standing which will re freeze tonight. We're in the zone for the 4" snow tomorrow am, so that'll be fun.

[bacpacker]

Left for work this morning with 2" of snow and still coming down hard. Snow let up about noon with a good 4 to 5". Somewhat unexpected and more due Wed night

[robsdak]

don't know how i missed this thread? but ya'll stay warm and safe. today's high is 51, cloudy with a 20% chance of rain. :p waiting for the rain to stop or peter off, need to till the garden. work some compost in.

[Sniper-T]

If it is any consolation, I had to fire up the quad for a half hour today to clear the blow in at the end of the driveway so my wife can get in with her car. We still have so little, I have yet to take out my snowmobile! Last year this same weekend, I had to borrow my neighbours tractor, to push down bush and create pockets to pile snow. no snow may sound good... but with the windchill, we've been hovering below -30 for a month plus, minus a day here or there!

Our advantage.... this that and the other is expected, and planned for. You guys down there, I feel for ya, if not expected, or even thought of.... how the f*** can you prep for it!

Keep up with the posts, there are a lot who can learn from your inexperience, in an unexpected threat!

[bacpacker]

Round 4 coming up. We have already gotten 2" more and still coming hard. May get up to 7-8" before t's over. I know you folks up north are just chuckling over this. But this is unusual for down here. Our road crews are well over 120 hours working since last Monday and most towns have already blown thru their snow removal budgets.
I gotta say though, I love it. It's been years since we got very much snow.

[Willie51]

Nasty here in NW Florida. Our alarms going off everywhere as we just had a tornado warning and it really got rough outside. Haven't heard a damage report, but hope it was none. Now it's pouring rain. Stay warm up there, we hear it's iced over in Atlanta and N. Ga.

[MegaCPC]

And here I am sitting here in spudland with spring weather wishing we'd get some snow so I can ski! Stay warm out there friends!

[bacpacker]

I have heard reports Chattanooga tn, about 1.5 hours southwest has already had 7". Storms moving up here from Alabama. Atlanta was suppose to get hit hard. The whole thing is suppose to end up hitting g the coast from the outer banks in NC up to DC

[robsdak]

no ice yet. it's raining and 44, it rained all day. looks like tomorrow is going to be fairly nice 54 and partly cloudy.

[ak474u]

My yard is a swamp from all the ice melt today. My sons 5th birthday party is cancelled because of the forecast for more ice this week. Boooooo!

[Sniper-T]

wow! you guys are getting smacked! stay safe!

[Domeguy]

Right now we have about 6 inches af a heavy wet snow, the kind that likes to stay around for a while, and is still snowing. Here are a few pics I took about 8 hrs ago.http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/c9ce9661477fcb108f232410c3e74b97_zps3f774549.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/73992fdf636d1cac396020704bb05663_zps82e7656f.jpg

[bacpacker]

Pretty much the same here.

[ak474u]

1/2" snow about an hour west on its way here. Won't stick but more behind it for the weekend.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Well I woke up to one of the LARGER of the Snow Serpent species found only here in Tennessee. Not like those little garden variety they have in Canada. A quick flick of the wrist and I dispatched that fat sucker before he could get to LadyHK's chickens.
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/1_zpsklgzhwza.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/1_zpsklgzhwza.jpg.html)

Overall we got around 5-6" inches last night, all is good in the neighborhood.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/2_zps5wzwxzsv.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/2_zps5wzwxzsv.jpg.html)

Lastly.....ya'll like your deer with or without powdered sugar? Taken the day this whole mess started.
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/3_zpstpuugdpj.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/3_zpstpuugdpj.jpg.html)

[Domeguy]

Quote: Well I woke up to one of the LARGER of the Snow Serpent species found only here in Tennessee. Not like those little garden variety they have in Canada. A quick flick of the wrist and I dispatched that fat sucker before he could get to LadyHK's chickens. BWRR

Well, we don't have any chickens here at the dome, so we don't get many snow serpents. But one thing we do have is a lot of cats, and I think if you look real hard, you can see Mr. Sniper behind one of these trees in the background, and it looks like he has left his wok hanging at the ready up near the garage roof.http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/57e4e7de1e4c5366af46d8601eff7c73_zpsd1bb6a31.jpg

[robsdak]

Lastly.....ya'll like your deer with or without powdered sugar? Taken the day this whole mess started.
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/3_zpstpuugdpj.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/3_zpstpuugdpj.jpg.html)

i think the one in the center of the picture is looking for me. 'rob, where are you? i am here'... ;)

[bacpacker]

I'm thinking they love those apple trees!

[Katrina]

see post below

[Katrina]

Yes, they had ice and snow again. Here we have record sub zero temps and even colder wind chills. They tease me at work because I look like Nanook of the north, I'm so bundled up. But I'm warm and if I waddle a bit, who cares LOL. It's supposed to get up to 20 degrees next week, WHOO HOO A spring thaw (NOT). I talked to DIL in NY she says they expect temps 30-40 next week end but to bring the winter woolies with me when I come just "in case". With my luck I'll get stuck in NY and miss sending Da Hubs off when he leaves for his Aunts 80th in SD. He, his 2 brothers and sister are driving to Sioux Falls for the festivities . I just hope they don't get stuck out there and will make it back here.

[Sniper-T]

Does he have a decent car kit, Kat?

Make sure you're ready at home too. Damn Murphy!! Every time I go away for a trip, Mrs. Sniper gets hit by a storm of some kind!

[realist]

Well if it is any consultation it snowed in San Jose yesterday, so we are getting some weird weather too.........no where near you guys though.

Nanook it is all keeping warm that counts, let em snicker.