How's the Weather, Heather?
What's with naming every storm now? You know this one is bad- they named it Heather! Here are a few tips for preparation in the South
This polar vortex that is sweeping across the country is nothing to play with; temperatures are averaging 30 degrees below normal, and that’s not counting the wind chill. Thirty degrees can mean the difference between life and death, especially in climates that are unprepared for sustained freezing temperatures. Not only are the people underprepared, and don’t even really know how to prepare, but the buildings are not prepared either. The pipes are made differently, there are more windows, fewer seals, etc. So, for everyone trying to prepare for this upcoming Heather freeze, here are a few tips (from a displaced Yankee living in the Deep South)
First, know when the freeze is expected so you can plan out your priorities…. It’s supposed to be 27 here tonight and tomorrow night (49 during the day) but then we have a day’s respite to really get ready: Thursday and Friday during the day should be nice and sunny, in the 60s, and Thursday night is only dropping to 47. Friday night the freeze sets in for the weekend.
Your priorities should be planned on the assumption you may be without power and running water, as you never know what might happen… or you may not want to double your power bill or be stuck with huge home repair bills.
Remember the “5 P’s”: People, Pets, Pipes, Plants, Power
Heat: if you have a fireplace, clean your chimney, check your flue, and stock up on wood. You will burn a lot more wood than you think! You also need kindling…. and as much as I hate the chemicals in the starter logs (the kind that burn for 4 hours), get a couple boxes. Priorities. If you have a generator, test it, fill it up, and make sure you have extra fuel.
Seal your windows. Get a spray bottle with water and spray your windows lightly, and stick bubble wrap on your windows. This will keep the cold out easily and efficiently. Don’t forget the skylights! Check the weathersealing on your doors and windows as well for any holes or air leaks. Roll up towels and put them at the bases of your doors (like you did in college to keep the smell out of the hallway). Remove any pet doors, or if you cannot, seal them up with some plastic wrap, bubble wrap and duct tape over them. It’s only for a few days; don’t be lazy, you can get up to let the dogs out.
Pets: Bring in your dogs and cats at night! Even your outdoor cats… Walk your dogs quickly, or watch them in the yard to do their thing and bring them right back in. Do your dogs have clothes or a harness? Even a harness or a thunder shirt can help keep them warm. They also need a warm place inside- a bed or comforter on the floor if they’re used to being outside, plus a clean litterbox. Don’t forget food and clean water! If you have chickens, make sure they have a clean warm, dry place with a heat lamp.
Water: If the power goes out, your water goes out. Have a gallon of water per person and per large dog (or per two or three small pets) on hand for three days. Fill a bathtub or two if need be, or if you distill your water, start stocking now!
Food/Cooking: Do you have an indoor propane grill or griddle? Again, if the power goes out your ability to cook food is limited. If you have to go outside to cook food on a grill, do it before the sun goes down and the temperatures really drop! Or prepare food now that doesn’t require cooking later: soups and salads you can eat cold, sandwiches, fried chicken, bread and cheese… plan your emergency meals. But you really want a good hot meal in a freeze, so again, cook it during the day and eat your main meal as a late lunch.
Plants: Cover your plants! A lot of plants that we have in our winter gardens can handle a bit of cold, but not a sustained freeze. You can use leaf mulch and pine straw to cover your plants and potatoes to help keep the ground from freezing, and pillowcases over your peppers (that you should cut back to winter over if you haven’t already). I’m trying to save my eggplants too… Throw some king size sheets over any raised beds; make sure you secure them down! Get tree covers for your fruit trees, or you can use sheets for those as well.
Pipes: A leaky hose can be your best friend… or if you don’t have a leaky hose, run a trickle of water from a tub or sink; run water through your pipes to keep them from freezing!
Stay warm!!! Layer your clothes; even if you don’t have cold winter gear, you can layer lots of clothes and stay very warm. Don’t forget layers on the bottom as well: wear leggings or stockings under your pants.
I know a lot of this seems like common sense, but “common sense” is increasingly uncommon, so please share this with anyone you think may need it. Stay safe and warm!