Mikes Place

By Michael L. Craner

Surviving the Storm

As I begin writing this, we are in our ninth day without power, situated on a ridge in the Ozarks, surrounded by trees that are finally beginning to thaw and cast off the ice that has held them in a death grip for over a week.

The landscape is devastated. The once mighty oaks that made up such a beautiful view and shrouded our log home from view of the winding country road below are now shattered. Great limbs lie about, some still encased in ice. Some trees simply fell over, uprooted by the weight of the ice, others broken off twelve feet up.

We were fortunate that none fell onto the house or penetrated the roof or walls, yet many crossed the mud and gravel lane up to the house and had to be cut up just to get off the ridge, and more still later when returning from town with supplies.

In the first couple of days, it was reported that over 300,000 Missouri homes and businesses were without power. Living in a rural area, I already knew we were looking at a week at least before we saw power back on, and that was realized the first day. The second day was when the real devastation began.

Freezing rain and sleet accumulated on the trees, power lines and power poles. Before long the weight of the ice was too much and as we sat in the darkness of our home, huddled around the fireplace with just the fire and an oil lamp for light, the mighty oaks all around us yielded to the greatest destructive force on the planet, water, and the ice it became in the sub-freezing temperatures.

The trees were popping and crashing all around us like popcorn popping, only with a great deal more noise. Each moment was terrifying, wondering if the next crash would bring one of the giants closest to the house through the roof or walls upon us. Between the terror and the gut wrenching sadness, knowing the beautiful trees that have shaded us in the summer, been home to squirrels, rabbits, fox, and even Bald Eagles were being destroyed as completely as if being fed to a giant wood chipper.

After about forty-eight hours, the storm's toll was nearly complete. No more rain, sleet or snow, although temperatures wouldn’t go above freezing again until the end of the week. I’ve written in the past about my involvement with Boy Scouting, my oldest son is working on his Eagle right now, and my youngest boy is in his second year of Cub Scouts. My oldest daughter is in Girl Scouts, and my wife and I are both assistant Scout Masters, so it would hardly be in our character to run to town to hole up in a motel or emergency shelter as many have done.

Our involvement with scouting has made us capable and pretty well prepared to weather hard conditions, and that is what we’ve done. After the first day I found out I was short a few water cans, so I went to town to get some, as well as a little food, some propane and a few other supplies. Like most, we live paycheck to paycheck and fortunately I had been paid just before the storm struck so we had already started to restock the cupboards and had cash on hand. It would only take a few more things and we’d be set for a couple days at least.

When I got to the store, it was a madhouse. I managed to secure the last water can available at that store, but it wasn’t enough combined with the others I already had to get a family of six by for a couple days (I felt), so I made a trip to check in on our Scoutmaster and borrow three more water jugs if they were available. I picked up a twenty pound propane bottle, something I had been meaning to get for some time anyway for our camping trips, since it would be cheaper to use that, rather than the little bottles you can buy in the store, and as it turned out the twenty pound bottles were in better supply than the small ones anyway.

Returning home, I checked in on a couple other friends and made sure they felt they were fine and they assured me they didn’t need anything I could help them with. It’s easy to get caught up in your own needs in times like this and forget your neighbors, but it’s times like this when it could be a matter of life or death if you don’t take a few minutes to check in on them, and they will appreciate it.

My job is maintaining a section of fiber-optic network that is nationwide. We cater to other businesses and companies that supply telephone, internet, and television services to consumers, and my area is one of the two paths connecting the east and west sides of the country together. My company provides me with a four-wheel drive truck and winch to ensure that I can get out and do my job, so while many others had a weather holiday, I was expected to be on the job, not just for my usual eight hours a day, but after hours as well. This past week I spent my days (and some nighttime hours) running portable generators to power our sites, and a refueling tank to keep the generators running.

Not only did I have to support my family and survive, but I also had to do my job, which was wonderful in its own right because I have been out and about, seeing the extent of the damage, and the fantastic efforts of the crews working to restore power. I’ve seen utility and tree service companies from Alabama and Georgia in the area, as well as others from 60 or more miles out of the area from Missouri out working on our lines to restore power. I am sure there are crews from other areas but those I know for sure have been here. I can also attest to the fact that they are working around the clock to bring power back, men working sixteen, eighteen, twenty hour days, many who have left their own families hundreds of miles away to come out and help us.

I borrowed a small Honda generator on the fifth or sixth day, which is strong enough to run a couple of electric heaters, lights, alarm clock, TV and DVD player in my bedroom, so once we got it we moved all the kids into our bedroom. When the temperatures were at their lowest, my wife and I shared our bed with the “baby”, who will be three at the end of February. Baby Caitlin has been a real trooper through all of this, and surprisingly enough has made great strides this past week at getting “potty trained”.

The entire experience has brought the whole family closer I believe, and taught the children a number of skills that to this generation may seem like something from the dark ages, but in reality, are skills my parents, and perhaps many of our readers experienced in their day-to-day lives growing up. Skills that are all but forgotten in many regions, I wonder how New Yorkers would survive without power for a week or more? Probably better than if Starbucks packed up and left town, but still, you get my point.

Once we got the generator online and got connected with local news, (Most of the closest FM stations were up and down the whole time, and they seldom provide any news anyway) I found out that Springfield (over 60 miles away) had a number of shelters set up. I have yet to hear of anything closer available, nor or any other types of assistance available to us. As far as I know, Springfield is the closest of any kind of relief from the conditions, and that is just too far to go.

As I watch the closings on TV, I can understand the schools and churches, but then I see where the “meals on wheels” programs are shut down due to the weather… what is up with that? There is NOTHING wrong with the roads in this region, they’re all open, clean, and dry. So why can’t they get out and feed the elderly and infirm like usual? Seems to me this is the time those people need those services the most.

Here are some tips we already knew or learned, but all have been “battle tested” now thanks to the storm. Some are geared to if you can get a generator, but still good tips for daily life anyway.

1) Conserve resources. I can’t say this enough. Conserve your water, conserve your batteries, and conserve your electricity. Use power saving light bulbs throughout your house. Invest in LED flashlights and rechargeable batteries. You can get an inverter in your vehicle that can recharge batteries, run a laptop, or other minor things, you can recharge batteries, etc. CAUTION: Make sure the vehicle is running or you have the means to jumpstart the vehicle if you kill its battery.

2) Get Water Cans/Jugs. Regardless of the situation, you need water. Get plenty of jugs, fill them, use them. You can flush your toilet with water from jugs, clean dishes, clean yourself, drink it, hydrate food, such as Ramen noodles, etc. YOU NEED WATER! Conserve your water. Wash water from dishes, body, etc is perfect for flushing the toilet, get rid of the dirty water while flushing the toilet. If you’re doing it right, you’ll need more water to flush than you do from cleaning/washing.

3) DO NOT run generators or other fuel burning appliances in your home such as stoves, heaters, etc. They give off carbon monoxide which you can’t smell, taste, or see. You can kill you and your entire family and not even realize it. Use these items on your porch or yard, not in your home. Make sure they are well ventilated. Only use such appliances when they are approved for indoor use, and then be cautious.

4) Call your mother often, or she’ll call you! *G* Somewhat of a joke, but really it’s not. Call your loved ones often, let them know how you’re doing. They care, and if they’re not in the region, all they have is CNN to tell them how you’re doing. During this storm, CNN reported more of a problem in Texas and Oklahoma than in Missouri, and Missouri was more affected than both combined. NEVER trust the media to tell the true story, and NEVER let them tell your family how YOU are doing.

5) Each kind of disaster brings its own pro’s and con’s. In an Ice Storm, you don’t have to worry about food spoiling if you keep it where it’s cold. In a flood you don’t have to worry about water, as long as you purify it. We have kept food in a bedroom while the temperatures were below freezing because the fridge is insulated; without power it becomes a thermos that keeps food warmer than it should. Use your head and think about everything that could be an asset or have an alternate use.

6) Having a battery powered radio is a good idea generally, but we found many radio stations and TV stations were losing power as well so they were unreliable at best. I did make use of my cell phone quite a bit, and even had a number stored for local weather forecasts which along with CNN and The Weather Channel on my XM radio in the car kept us well informed of the weather. However finding out about local shelters and relief was something we found very difficult and will have to research more before the next storm.

Surviving is all about using your head and making the best of your resources. When in doubt, ask someone else. There is no room for pride when you are in survival mode. We’ve imposed on friends and a truck stop to take showers. We borrowed water jugs and water, even a small generator. There is no shame in asking for help, but only take what you absolutely need. This is one problem we’ve faced during this storm. Some people go to the stores and buy up all they can to get by, with no concern for anyone else, forcing stores to impose rationing on their own.

There is no reason for this. In our situation, the roads are more than clear enough for supply trucks to get through, there is no reason for one person or family to buy up a palette of propane bottles or canned food for themselves during an emergency. Be smart, think of your neighbor. Buy what you need for a couple days at a time, and then come back. More supplies will come. If hoarding is your game, then start now, a little at a time when everyone else isn’t in “hoard mode”. Then when it happens, you’ll have all you need already.

One of the activities I’ve started this week to keep my kids occupied is making a list of items for a “bug out bag”. The idea is each person in the family has an overnight bag prepared in the event we have to “bug out” at a moments notice. It should have everything they NEED for two days. Something where I can say, “Lets bug out!” and within 5 minutes we can be loaded in the car with everything we need for two days and pulling out of the driveway.

The “Bug Out Bags” will hold things more for the owner, but combined with a family worth of bags, they’ll be a pretty good resource. The concept puts responsibility on everyone, and gives them purpose.

The “Bug Out Bags” will consist of a couple changes of clothes, a pint to a quart size water bottle, wind-up flashlight, a small amount of cash, personal info like medications, medical conditions, phone numbers and addresses of friends and family. It should also include at the very least a fleece sleeping bag. These roll up pretty small and can keep you comfortable down to 50 degrees (F). It’s not a lot, but it’s a good start. Also include travel size toiletries and a medium sized towel.

I know there’s not much in those bags, they’re meant to be “day pack” size, or like the book bags kids take to school, but they could mean a difference between life and death, or reuniting family members if separated. If the bags have room left then other items could be added.

The contact and medical info is very important. When Hurricane Katrina struck, families were separated and sometimes taken to different states. Being able to call Grandma or another 3^rd party and letting them know where you are and how to reach you can get you all back together again quicker.

In addition to the above items, my wife and I will have other items in our bags, such as more money, spare batteries for anything we take that might need them, backpacking stove and pot and maybe a couple backpacking meals and an extra sleeping bag each.

Everything should be individually packed in Ziploc bag to prevent them from getting wet, or leaking if they contain anything that would leak, including batteries. All bags should be inventoried at least quarterly to make sure the clothes for the kids still fit, batteries are good and not leaking, etc. Nothing perishable should be stored in the bags, including water. Have a water bottle, but leave it empty. You’ll find someplace to fill it or have time to fill it before you “bug out” in most cases.

I began writing this on the ninth day without power. On the afternoon of the 10^th we finally had power back on and I’ve spent the rest of the time catching up on work and other things (I haven’t even begun to start cleaning up the yard yet.) It’s now January 31^st and I’m trying to hurry up and finish so it can be in this issue of Pencilstubs. Today we got about an inch and half of snow, it’s snowing, and snow is possible over the next 2-3 days, and guess what? We haven’t started on our bug out bags; we have food, water, and fuel on hand and know where a shelter will likely be that’s closer to home and work, but we’re not much better off than we were before the ice storm.

When the kids finally got to go back to school after 12 days of being off (including the weekends), the teachers asked the kids what they did while they were off. My daughter was the only one in her class that stayed at home. Everyone else went to stay with friends, family, a shelter, or a hotel. She was proud we stayed home and weathered the storm. She learned a lot, and while it wasn’t always pleasant, we were together in our home instead of somewhere else and we were never terribly uncomfortable.

We adapted, overcame, and survived the “Ice Storm of 2007 on our own terms, and we’re better off for it.

Click here for more pictures

The pictures in the gallery at the link above are but a few examples of the devastation, most were taken within the first two days and around or near our home. Within 15 days, nearly everyone had power restored. The cleanup will last well into summer and beyond.

Many thanks and blessings to all those hard working electrical crews that came out and worked around the clock to turn the power back on.