I thought I would share a few of my typical preparations for getting through winter storms, and winter in general. Living alone and in a rural area, it can be a challenge, but I've found the following to be helpful.
1. Water - I purchased relatively inexpensive 6 gallon water jugs that I fill before a storm hits. This water is for the animals, flushing the toilet, and miscellaneous use. For drinking water, I have multiple pitchers that I fill with filtered water and keep refrigerated. Don't forget to leave faucets dripping during bitter cold spells to keep pipes from freezing.
2. Fresh batteries - I have multiple flashlights scattered throughout the house. Some are just key chain sized, but they still do the trick in the pitch black. I like to carry one in my pocket during the evening so I'm not caught off guard should the lights go out. Since daylight is scarce this time of year, I have a headlamp I wear when I do morning and evening barn chores, and that makes it easy to function without having to balance a flashlight. I usually buy batteries in bulk so I have them at the ready. Remember not to store batteries loose in a drawer; there have been multiple house fires that started from batteries bumping up against each other and sparking a fire. I also have motion activated battery operated spotlights in key locations, like the room between the main house and the barn, and outside where I need to shovel or snow blow.
3. Fire Wood - Since I don't have a generator for back up power, I rely on my wood stove for heat. I make sure to fill the wood box before a storm, and I'm lucky enough to be able to keep my firewood stacked in my barn, so I'm not having to dig it out when I run low. I have had to do that in the past, in which case covering the wood pile with a couple tarps makes cleaning off snow and keeping wood dry much easier. In the past few years I've come to rely on those compressed wood fuel blocks for bitter cold nights or days when I'll be away from the house. I use the three pack blocks available at Tractor Supply (and sometimes Lowe's) as I've found they burn slower than the smaller blocks that come in six packs. My wood stove is relatively small, but I can manage five or six big blocks in the stove, turn it down, and it will keep the house warm for about six hours. In comparison, I can load the stove with firewood and within three hours it's needing to be stoked again.
4. Hay - Anyone with equines knows the key to keeping them warm is providing lots of fiber in the form of good quality hay. Grain is ok, but being low fiber it doesn't digest the same as hay, and it's that digestive process that helps maintain body temperature. I rarely increase grain rations (the mules don't get much, to begin with), but I load the boys up on hay during cold snaps. I'm lucky enough to have a large hay loft above my barn, so I only buy hay once a year, and I always figure in at least 15-20 wasted bales to my total purchased between bad bales and overfeeding during winter. I like to have at least a dozen bales down in the main barn so I don't have to worry about moving any during or shortly after the storm. I worry about colic in the winter more than any other time. Because I'm increasing their hay, and because they can react to
different extreme weather changes, I feed a warm soupy mash all winter
long. It's a way of getting water into them if they're not drinking, though they do have a heated water bucket. I can crumble Probios soft chews into their mash at feed time to give them a little boost, too.
5. Large bowls - Wait, whut? People who live in cold climates will often move perishable foods to unheated rooms or outside in coolers if the power goes out for long periods. I discovered that filling large bowls with snow and placing them inside the refrigerator actually works just as well. You have to stay on top of them, because the snow will melt and needs to be refilled multiple times, but it sure beats having to go outside to retrieve your milk or eggs, and food is less likely to freeze solid.
6. Oil - I do have a furnace, and I try to fill my oil barrel in August when the price is relatively low. This past cold snap has really used up a lot of oil just keeping the house around 64*, and that's with the wood stove going at the same time. If you rely on an oil furnace or propane heater, be sure you have enough fuel to get through a storm. I try not to run low or out of oil, but sometimes it happens. I like to put a reminder on my phone to check the oil level at least every two to three weeks so I'm not caught off guard. I also generally keep the thermostat set to 59* to use as little fuel as possible and stretch a barrel of oil out as long as I can. Of course, when it gets colder than the twenties, I have to turn it up.
7. Snow blower - I like to run my snow blower at least a month before snow falls to ensure it will start up, run, and function as needed. Check the oil and the tire pressure, and have it serviced at the end of the season if possible so you're ready to go for next winter. It doesn't hurt to be prepared long before you need to be.
8. Shovels - I have to shake my head every time there's a storm and hardware stores run out of shovels. What the heck do people do with them, throw them out every summer thinking they'll never need them again? I've had the same shovel for ages! I actually have three different shovels for different types of snow. A deep metal manure shovel is great for hard packed snow, but not wet snow so much. A lightweight plastic snow shovel is great for most types of snow and doesn't tire my arms out as quickly as the heavy duty shovels. I also have a snow scoop/pusher for large areas, like the mule paddock. It can be a chore to move a lot of snow with that one, so I like to get out a couple times during big storms.
9. Sand - Since I will use it around the mules and my wellhead, I like to use mainly traction sand with no salt in it. Play sand will work, too, but washed sand is useless. I have buckets filled with sand at the back door, the barn door, and the mule shed door so I don't have to lug heavy buckets around. I try to get those in place before Thanksgiving so I'm ready for icy conditions. I rarely use ice melt but I do have some on hand. I think I've been working on the same 4 pound bag for nearly six years.
10. Gas - I try to top off the gas tank in my vehicle before a storm. There's no reason other than I've been caught having to fill up during a blizzard, and standing at a gas pump in the weather just sucks. I also try to keep two 5 gallon jugs of gas on hand for the snow blower or my vehicle if I do run short.
11. Propane - I will never not have a gas stove. I can still boil water and cook when the power goes out. The propane tank gets filled in August and I don't have to think about it until spring. For that reason, and to start the wood stove, keep some matches on hand, too. I prefer those long lighters because it keeps me well away from the flame. I'm not very good with fire.
12. Snacks - Hey, it's going to be a long storm. Might as well enjoy it, right?
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