Well, winter is here and my body is definitely feeling its presence. In Texas, we don’t get the frigid, cold weather that most of the northern states get, but regardless, it’s to cold for me.
When I think about emergency preparedness, my mind immediately goes to hurricane season, because that’s when the gulf coast of Texas experiences it’s clash with Mother Nature. For my northern friends however, the winter months are much like my summer months only without the excessive winds and storm surges.
During extreme weather, it’s important that you have an emergency supply of food on hand in case of the worst. After Hurricane Ike, we were without electricity for two whole weeks. The whole area was in absolute destruction, stores unable to open, gas stations unable to receive gas, just total chaos.
We learned from that experience that we have to keep a supply of food that can be eaten without being cooked. During the emergency relief, the Red Cross set up stations throughout the area and handed out freeze dried food to the local residents. When you’re living on saltine crackers, you’ll appreciate anything with taste.
Bottom line is, if you live in an area that is prone to disasters, make sure you have a supply of food on hand in case of emergencies! You never know when the next one will strike.
Maureen @ Wisconsin Mommy says
I think these days EVERYONE needs to be prepared. You never know what could happen and something as simple as an extended power outage can happen anywhere. Great article!
HilLesha says
I agree with Maureen!
Audrey says
I know even when we lose power, I realize just how much we use our oven, stove and microwave. I do always have cheese, peanut butter and jelly. I also almost always have cans of tuna. We have had some gorgeous afternoon recently and I’m loving it.
Donna says
We try to be prepared for power outages, because you never really know when they can happen. And… I’m ready for Spring! 🙂
Tammy says
We haven’t had our first snow, yet. My daughter is so wanting it to snow.
Toni @ A Daily Dose says
Great tips. I live back home in Florida now but lived in Arkansas for 8 years and we had 2 bad snow/ice storms when there. I learned really quick it’s better to be prepared. Luckily I had a husband who lived there all his life and prepared us. It was definitely different going from hurricanes to snow. At least I know what to do now that we are back home in Florida 🙂
Nichol says
You must be prepared. We are still waiting for our first huge winter blast of snow. The weather is weird this year.
Virginia from That Bald Chick says
Still waiting for the winter weather to kick in here. The weather pattern is so weird lately.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
With the unpredictability of winter this year, it’s wise to do this.
Melissa Au says
Its definitely good to be prepared. For me though, we live in California and the weather has been too warm. I hate when winter time doesnt feel like wintertime.
Theresa says
It’s always good to be prepared!! We still have yet to have snow here in IL.
Jennifer Mercurio says
I had to think for a second because I thought “what? Winter is over” but I forgot that for most of the country it’s not… just here in Florida where we are having 78* highs, lol
April Decheine says
Weather has been totally weird here in MN but I am ready for a big blizzard!!
Amy says
It’s definitely important to be prepared!! You never know when the time will come that you are so thankful that you were.
Penelope says
I can’t wait for the cold weather to end, and the sunny days to return. It’s a great motivator to moving to a warmer area.
Zippy Sandler says
I soooo do not miss snow storms and power outages.
Kasandria Reasoner says
We have to prepare like that when it’s tornado season.
Kas
Stefani says
It is always good to be prepared. I seen that there was flooding in Texas and was worried about you. Had to jump on FB to make sure you were not affected. 🙂
Tesa @ 2 Wired 2 Tired says
I can’t imagine being without power for 2 weeks. That must have been so difficult! Glad to hear you are prepared now, it’s definitely a reminder I needed.
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
It’s always good to be prepared!
Tammy says
It’s an unusual winter up north for sure. We do have to be prepared for the occasional blizzard and tornado where we live, but it’s nothing compared to the huge storms the south gets when they get hit. We usually have a good supply of non-perishable food and for the first year ever I got a case of water too (I don’t know why I’ve never stocked that before). I would think that if large power outage storms were a frequent occurrence where we are, I would have a better emergency stockpile.
Tammy says
I had the winter blahs yesterday. It was cold and raining.
Beeb Ashcroft says
Two weeks, that is brutal! We get a lot of power outages in my area but I’ve never personally experienced any that are quite that long. We had one in 2007 that was about 4 1/2 days and that was bad enough. Every winter, I try to use up as much food in the freezer as I can so that if the power goes out it won’t all spoil, LOL!
Tricia Night Owl Mama says
Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr We just got a few inches too and I tell you I honestly need to move to warmer weather I hate being cold
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
How funny — this has been on my mind too! I have made a personal goal this year to be prepared for a variety of emergencies, including our lovely hurricane season.
Canadian Mom Blogger says
Winter has arrived full force here today 🙁 I am not prepared though, even with it coming so late.
Paula @ Frosted Fingers says
I was thinking yesterday as it was snowing that I really need to get together our emergency kit!
Laurie says
Ive got them pretty bad, the winter depression and just the plain old blah mood is awful. I sit in a sunny window when there is sun.
Courtney says
I always have a few things on hand but we don’t really eat anything canned because of BPA.. aside from tuna.
Amy says
Even in the desert I’m getting the winter blahs.
Lolo says
I am so ready for spring.
Marcie W. says
I feel like being prepared for any type of disaster is important regardless of where you live. You really just NEVER know!
Louise says
This time of year kills me.