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http://mastcelldisorders.wallack.us/yabb/YaBB.pl Off Topic >> Off Topic >> Winter storm in the US Midwest http://mastcelldisorders.wallack.us/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1296568830 Message started by DeborahW, Founder on 02/01/11 at 02:00:30

Title: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by DeborahW, Founder on 02/01/11 at 02:00:30

So, I live in Indiana and we are in the middle of a massive ice storm. Wave one passed through last night and now the ground, streets, etc. all look completely snow covered, but it is actually only ice. It is bizarre. Today wave 2 passes through and will continue all day today and tomorrow. Supposedly, it is going to be a very severe ice storm coming, making the one we just had look like baby stuff.

I am a bit worried because they are saying that Indianapolis (where I am) could lose power citywide for about a week. Northern Indiana will be getting a blizzard. After our ice, we will be getting snow and then single digit temperatures. So, I am definitely concerned as to what we will do if the power goes out. I have 2 dogs, one being a huge German Shepherd, and then I will have to locate a hotel that will take us and our dogs.

So, I guess I am going to pack a bag just in case filled with all my meds so that I don't forget them if we do have to move to a hotel for an extended time. Now, if we are having an ice storm, how does one safely drive to a hotel? Good question. Hmmmm.....

Now Chicago is supposed to get 20+ inches of snow. Not sure which is worse: massive ice storm or blizzard?????

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by Tess on 02/01/11 at 04:09:09

I would say that the ice is more dangerous as it can topple trees and electrical poles. We had a storm in the N.E. in December 2008 and we had to leave home (after using a chain saw on trees to get out of our driveway) for 8 days as we had no heat or electricity. We did find a hotel that took my husband and me and our dog and cat. I hope we don't have that again. We are getting about 8 inches of snow today, 1 to 3 tonight and 10 to 15 inches tomorrow - including ice.

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by Sandi on 02/01/11 at 05:15:26

I'm so sorry Deb, scary scary stuff! Do you have a fireplace? Generator? I'm used to survival issues related to the desert, not blizzards! I did come from Illinois farm territory, so I'm used to keeping emergency supplies on hand for being snowed in. We would hang blankets in all the doorways to the warmest room and basically camp inside that room. You can use your grill to heat up food,(outdoors) the hotel would be the easier route, maybe you could come up with a smaller sounding descriptive name for your german shephard :) when you call ahead! If staying in and you don't have supplies, stock up on dry cereals, they can eat right out of the box, granola bars, instant oatmeal, and lots of water, soups that you don't need to add anything to. MRE's are totally handy and can come with a heating element. If you have a camping store nearby there are a lot of options there, crackers/peanut butter, typically if the power goes out, cook with the food in your fridge first then you work your way to the boxed/canned things. As far as all those recommendations, I've been stocking for our family, but I am up a creek as I can't eat pretty much any of it! But you've just got to think of what you can have. Be very sure of anything you use to heat the environment, making sure it does not give off harmful gas if you are staying in your home! You lose a ton of heat out of the top of your head so make sure the kiddos wear their hats indoors, ski wear will now be indoor fashion :) Games and candles! If you have any "solar" outdoor lighting, leave it out in the daytime and bring it in at night for indoor lighting. So you probably don't want to hear how sick of the sun I am and I wish we would get some winter weather! I think I'm visualizing Deb headbutting me! :)

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by DeborahW, Founder on 02/01/11 at 05:59:23

Great advice, Sandi! Thanks! We do have a gas grill outside, so maybe we could actually cook food. We have lived in our house 15 years and never turned on the gas log fireplace. I don't even know if it would be safe or where the key to turn it on is. (I just don't like fireplaces, so we never used it.) I can spend $250/night and take the family and dogs to a very nice hotel if I need to, but that is infuriating to spend that! The ice rain has started here, so we shall see....My husband is furiously charging all of our electonic items (phones, ebooks). LOL

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by redbird on 02/01/11 at 08:49:25

Deb I suspect that you are going to get our storm...we did not have much ice where I live in south Oklahoma but they did more to the north...if you are going to go the hotel route..you might get in your reservation as lots of others will as well..and I think there are several hotel chains that will take animals and some have special rooms for them...hold on however...my friend in Utah says more coming Sunday..good luck ...
redbird

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by DeborahW, Founder on 02/01/11 at 09:09:51

Oh, yes, I did hear something about another storm Sunday. I can't even contemplate. I am so sick of winter! I am going to Disney World (Florida) in March, and I cannot wait to get to Florida!

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by Starflower on 02/01/11 at 09:41:42

We're getting hit pretty hard in southern Indiana... you know it's bad when the university shuts down and they call out the national guard. I don't think we're going to be returning to work/school anytime soon. Thankfully, we have a working fireplace and some firewood :( Maybe we'll get lucky and the power will stay on.

Heather

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by Lisa on 02/01/11 at 12:04:18

Ah no! I can't stand it! Here you guys were talking about all the heat you had last summer and how bad it was and how much you guys couldn't wait for winter and get out of the heat!! I listened patiently and thought, oh, well when their summer goes, MINE COMES!!!

Now, I'm in the grips of 100o heat and it's triggering me left and right and it was what you guys couldn't wait to get rid of and yet you all get only about 3 months of real heat whereas here I am and I get 6 months of the stuff! You all sent your heat down to me and now I get to have all the fun with it wishing that I could have a bit of snow instead!!!

And Now I have to listen to you all griping about the snow and the cold and the mush and here I am sweating it out and fainting all over the place due to how hot it is!!

AAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! :o

WHY CAN'T WE ALL JUST UP AND MOVE TO HAWAII?????!!!! 8-)

I think it would be the perfect marriage of a nice mix of the heat and the cold coming to an ideal medium temperature!!

CAN WE HUH?!

HAVE I ANY TAKERS???? [smiley=vrolijk_26.gif]

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by Joan on 02/01/11 at 12:14:44

We're crazy weather nuts and love to look at forecasts, weather maps, etc. If you haven't already looked there, www.noaa.gov has the most reliable forecasts. It looks like Indianapolis will get .4-.6" of ice and then a total of 1-2" of snow tonight and tomorrow. Probably the worst danger will be if the ice brings down power lines. They've known this is coming, so hoping that they're salting the streets already.

We had a gas fireplace in our old house, and it put out a lot of heat, but you should take a flashlight and look up the flu before you use it to make sure it's unobstructed. Great place for the kids to roast marshmallows! Also, if you have a gas oven, it will put out a lot of heat, too, and will work without power. It might need to be lit with a match (burners too).

With the kind of temperatures you'll be having, any food in the fridge will stay fresh outside if the electricity goes off. We've used our garage before to keep it safe from predators if the temp was low enough. Portable phones on land lines don't work without power, but cell phones can be re-charged in a car if you have a car charger.

Smart to plan ahead and pack the medicines, just in case! Hope most of this storm is less than expected!

We had an inch of snow or so,but it's bitter cold. Tonight wind chill of 22-32 below zero!! :o

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by DeborahW, Founder on 02/01/11 at 12:38:41

Wow, that is COLD, Joan! Yikes! Thy are reporting that we already have 2 inches of ice and are expecting up to an inch more. If the power goes out tonight, we are pretty much stuck here because it is too dangerous to drive now. If I lose power tomorrow, and it is safer to drive, we could drive to my inlaws' house (if they have power) because they are in Arizona. I doubt it would be any safer to drive then, though.

We'll just all hope that my power lines stay on! If they go out overnight, I'll know because my security system will start beeping to tell me....

I'll keep you all posted! Starflower is south of me and I expect experiencing her own weather problems!

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by Starflower on 02/01/11 at 13:32:35

So far, we still have power :) The real test will be tomorrow when the wind kicks up. Ice-covered trees are not very flexible. The lights have blinked a couple of times... I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I put out my evening medications so I can take them easily even if it's dark. If we don't have heat tomorrow I think we'll head over to my office at the university.

The best news is that my husband made it home from work! I thought he was either going to spend the evening under his desk or in the ditch.

Heather

I wonder how Mike V. is doing... Missouri was getting hit pretty hard earlier today.

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by Joan on 02/01/11 at 14:41:51

Can't wait until Saturday's highs of 43-50!! Yea! ::)

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by Lisa on 02/01/11 at 15:05:22

Sorry to hear that it's so bad for you all!!! I know how dangerous that ice can get. I grew up in Virginia where we had more ice than snow when I was a kid!! There's NO DRIVING on ice, so please rethink the idea of travelling anywhere!!! It's still best to stay at home with tons of layers and everybody sleeping on mattresses in front of the fireplace or in sleeping bags everybody in the same bedroom. I remember doing something similar in Pittsburgh when we had about 25 below and the heater in the house just couldn't crank it out! The pipes froze inside the house and the police gave a mandatory shut down of the city to prevent problems due to the cold. Only emergency related workers were allowed out! So, I really do understand the situation there and how dangerous it is! But it's far better to try to brave out the cold inside your home, even without electricity than to find yourself in trouble in the middle of the highway somewhere! Your chances are better in your homes.

So please, you all, be careful and be prudent!!!

I'M SENDING YOU THE HEAT AS QUICKLY AS I CAN! I DON'T WANT IT ANYMORE!!!

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by DeborahW, Founder on 02/02/11 at 00:24:51

Haa Lisa! I am taking you up on your offer! Hawaii, here I come! Oh wait, that meana I will need an ice pick to chisel myself out first. LOL

So the winds are blowing like mad at there; they have been all night. Sounds pretty creepy. They opened up the school across the street from my neighborhood as a shelter. Funny that the shelter is providing only a place with heat and people must bring anything and everything. It's funny because my little city (right next to Indy) is listed as one of the wealthiest in the nation (not that everyone is wealthy here), so I am wondering why the mayor cant manage to send basic supplies to the shelters. LOL. Hopefully the power stays on so that no one will need a shelter.

Our county and many in central and northern Indiana are under a travel restriction now where no one is allowed out on the road due to the dangerous road conditions. Today will be a worrisome
day as we all wait to see if the winds and frozen power lines and trees will behave. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by mikev on 02/02/11 at 03:07:13

Heather/Deb:
We we got sort of lucky. 3" of sleet then 2" of snow, but over in Columbia, Mo they got 16". But the sleet was heavy and my driveway is a 45 degree angle. so spent lots of energy getting it off yesterday and paid the price last night & today. When I overdue it, it feels like I've been runover by a truck, then skin sensitivity increases. The problem is now going for walks with my buddy which is good for both of us are off for a while. Deb may be coming over to Indy in May. Since can't play tennis, my friend & I have got into old car shows. And they are having a big one at the fairgrounds in mid may a couple weeks before the car race, so maybe we'll get a chance to meet. Just remember I'm no Brad Pitt. Heather is from Indiana as well but don't know how close to Indy. Anyway back at work today.
Mike V
PS: Ramona hope you are doing better than last couple of days.

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by DeborahW, Founder on 02/02/11 at 03:29:39

Hey Mike,

Keep Heather and me posted on your Indy trip! May is fun here because of the Indy 500. So, you can't get bored, especially if you are a car fan. I can also direct you to good vs bad areas for hotels. My hubbie is a HUGE race fan, so if you have any interest in that, he can talk your ear off! LOL

Glad that you didn't get hit too hard by the storm. You shouldn't be out there working on that driveway, though, you know....I fear that we are stuck in the house because we can't even chop out way out of the driveway because of all the ice. I just measure the ice on my patio: 2 1/4" pure ice. Pretty crazy. I don't see how the kids are getting to school at all this week, because it's not supposed to get above freezing until Sunday...and then we apparently have another storm hitting that day or the next. My 3 beautiful super tall birch trees in my backyard have lost a lot of branches, and the middle tree is now 1/3 shorter than the other 2 (it wasn't that way 2 days ago). Just great. Eventually this is going to get really annoying!

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by mikev on 02/02/11 at 04:34:42

Deb:
Will keep you both posted but don't plan to come for the indy 500 but the Mecum Auto Auction from May17-22. They sell lots of old muscle cars. My friend & are I are both in our 60's so owned muscle cars back in 70's now have new ones. We go to these shows just to look not to buy way to expensive. Maybe your hubby likes these as well.
Glad we missed the ice, the sleet was bad enough. Don't have a lot of choice on the driveway have to get to work. I know what the results usually are so try to do it in sections but still vigourous exercise like that is not good for us although I do light exercises every day with no issues, in fact feel better afterwards.
MikeV

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by Sandi on 02/02/11 at 06:04:15

With the sun out our temperature is currently 33 degrees, this is insane cold! I don't know how you people do it! I need a real jacket, I don't think I've ever seen it this cold here when the sun was out! My poor plants :0 !!!! Trying to water them, going to be colder tonight but the pipes are frozen! Wish we at least had some moisture, we'd be having some snow to enjoy too. Even when we are "cold" 50-60 degree days the sun really makes things feel almost hot...... mmmmm yeah not today.... that wind is like a slap in the face with a frozen noodle! Ok thought I'd make all of you toughing it out right now in the serious stuff laugh, however I will be back along with DebMC when our 110 degrees are posting to your lovely 70 and 80!! :) Keep safe peeps and stay inside and use up the food supply you have in the house till its safe to travel out on those roads!

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by Sandi on 02/02/11 at 06:06:39

Mike, my husband went to a Barret Jackson one year, Whew insane!
Have you checked out copart.com for fixer uppers? Do you have trouble triggering around the mechanical stuff? We were big time into NHRA drag racing ( as spectators) used to lovvvvee to go and hang in the pits, such a bummer I cant go anymore, nitro would send me down quick. . . It was a huge challenge I'd stand there when they'd fire up a car and "tough it out" while people were gagging and running away, not brilliant! But it was fun! :)
Fun Days

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by DeborahW, Founder on 02/02/11 at 06:22:30

Hey Sandi,

You are having a regular heat wave! LOL. I wouldn't even need a coat if we had those temps. Ok, remind me: are you in southern US or are you one of Aussies who are boiling up (or getting blown away by a typhoon)?

As for the food, I am in a constant battle NOT to eat any of the goodies around my house since I am majorly dieting! So far, so good, but it's a struggle. At least if I were running around with the kids, I wouldn't be around food! Eek! [smiley=cheesy.gif]

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by mikev on 02/02/11 at 08:33:13

Sandi:
With my masto I have a strong sense of smell but don't seem to trigger from anything like that. My friend & I wanted to go to Barrett Jackman but too far away. Watched last week the auction from Scottsdale & was it neat. Love NHRA as well but with my skin sitting in the sun for any lenght of time is a no, no. , but am a huge dirt track race fan with my brother and lots of alcohol base fuel there with their cars, but I have more trouble with the dirt on my skin, since my masto is so skin based. Sometimes the alcohol does bother my eyes, then I bring out the pataday & am OK. Wish I was with you, I trigger on cold & it's supposed to be -3 tomorrow here in Missouri.
Mike V

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by In2butterflyz on 02/02/11 at 09:52:24

Hey Sandi & Mike

So you guys are NHRA fans too!! That was my childhood growing up at the tracks. My Dad has always been involved in racing somehow, either driving or being a crew chief. I haven’t been to the track in about 3 years so not since my whole mast cell stuff started happening. I will be back at the track this summer (my brother has a front engine dragster) and I was already nervous about the heat like Mike said but now I guess I should to be nervous about the fumes too. Gotta love this crazy diseases! :D Oh and Sandi that’s so funny about the nitro, I am always one of the sissies running away crying and gagging as soon as that yellow cloud gets close, my husband can tough it out like you.

Take Care,
Tracey

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by mikev on 02/02/11 at 10:11:17

Tracey:
Don't let the fumes stop you we have to have some fun around our miseries. Like I said I handle the alcohol from dirt tracks real well, just some times my eyes but then wear goggles or use pataday & am OK. I actually used to run my '71 Plymouth 340 Duster in the street stock. Shows how old I am. I was raised around cars also, my dad was a mechanic. So he would work on my cars & I would drive them on Sundays. Fri & Sat nights we were at the dirt tracks watching, most of time with my mom until she had my younger brother. When dad passed she started going & love them too. So go & have some fun you deserve it.
MikeV

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by In2butterflyz on 02/02/11 at 14:52:21

Hey Mike,
I will take my chances and probably go to a race this year, hopefully I will be fine. I am solely a shocker so I have the hardest time figuring out triggers because I feel great in-between my shocks. I have a rain barrel effect, I guess instead of triggering like most I just add to my barrel then when I fill it up ….. Look Out!! :o :P :-[
I will just have to pay extra attention to everything around me and how I’m feeling also I need to crack down more on my low histamine diet.
By the way my brother-in-law has a dirt track car, its just a 4 cylinder but he absolutely loves getting out there every weekend and racing.

Take Care,
Tracey

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by Lisa on 02/02/11 at 17:19:21

BOYS AND CARS!!!

BOYS AND TRUCKS!!

BOYS AND VRRRRROOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM!!!!

[smiley=vrolijk_26.gif]

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by Sandi on 02/03/11 at 17:26:23

Tracey, I can't go anymore because of the triggering, I'm super duper chemical sensitive now. You will have to post your photos after you go in this section!!! I hope Corey Mac gets a ride this year! The pits are so fun getting your photos with the drivers, and picking up pistons, spark plugs etc. :) I love that about NHRA. OUr laundry room is littered with photos of us and the racers! I've got a great pic w/ John Force, of course he's still talking while the photo was taken but it was to us! Hilarious! Deb I'm in Arizona! Oh this will crack you NhRA fans up, so we really don't have serious winter clothing here in Arizona, whats the point..... well our high was 32 and I'm grasping for warmer clothing to go out, I reach back into the closet for my warmest old jacket,,,,, John Force Racing six time world champ..... What is he on now like 15 or 16 :) I'm old!

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by jbean on 02/09/11 at 14:51:25

So we have this giant snowpile outside of my apartment complex, and this time, it is so big the kids have actually carved a full size igloo out of it. After several weeks of snow, I think the novelty has worn off, and most people are secretly using it as a porta-poo for their pets.

Meanwhile, the snowplow guys are having more fun riding their machines than actually plowing, and I no longer recognize my car in the lot, which seems to be encased in some sort of retro camoflague: a mixture of salt-encrusted white, against my "Pacific Blue" clearcoat and rust, surrounded by a cluster of fender-bergs in brown mush.

Each morning is a new adventure, as I try not to be impaled by the 4 foot icicle hanging over my front door...(better not slam that puppy too hard!). My neighbor is tossing out so much salt on the sidewalk, I'll probably find a herd of deer gathered there in communal meditation tomorrow.

Such is life in Michigan, my winter WONDERland... as in WONDER why I've put up with this for so long!

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by DeborahW, Founder on 02/09/11 at 15:19:17

Haaa Jill. Too funny! Well, you could always south to Indiana. Oh wait, we are living in the Ice Age here. at 9 am tomorrow, it will be -6 below 0. That is going to be fun. Do you have all the ice, too? My driveway and yard are still an ice skating rink! Even better, every now and then, the sun comes out and somehow manages to melt something even though the temps don't rise. As a result, I now have a beautiful leak in my roof in my great room. The roofers came out today and my roof needs to be repaired from an ice dam, the attic is not filled with nearly the right amount of insulation, and we need to fix the interior leak damage. Cha ching -- just ring up several thousand dollars of repairs that need to be done instantly. Hmm... do you think I could just trade in several months of my meds? At about $800 a pop, I would only need 3 or 4 months worth. LOL.

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by Starflower on 02/10/11 at 03:55:42

Both of you just need to move a tiny bit further south. We were lucky last Thursday... we got a burst of sunshine that melted 90% of the ice. No more ice skating rinks... no more "camoulflage-encrusted" hulks of cars. Although we do have deer, they're not coming out just to lick the salt ;)

Bring on the flowers!!!! 8-)

Heather

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by Lisa on 02/10/11 at 06:47:55

Well, if you go TOO far South you're going to get what I have right now. We broke the records today and the temps are about 110o! How's that for fun?! I've taken to the wonderful fashion of wearing a wet t-shirt - and no it's not clingy! I have a fan that I constantly drag behind me and my kids know that Killer look in my eyes if they even dare touch it! We can fry eggs on the side walk and I could probably just put my pressure cooker with any meat in it out in the sun and cook that hunk of beef in record time too! When I wash clothes, naturally, who needs a clothes dryer, when you live in one! My clothes are dried STIFF in less than a hour! And worst of it all, THERE'S NO THUNDERSTORMS IN SIGHT! WAAAAAA! :'(

CAN WE ALL TRADE SPOTS FOR A WHILE???!! I JUST KNEW IT - there you guys were complaining of such a hot summer last year and I though, Uh Oh, I'm in for it! So very often you guys will have a hot summer and we get fried alive and then when your winter is mild, ours is too. I've just never seen it where you all get snowed in and we end up with a cold winter too!! It seems like our winter is never cold - but then, I do live in the tropics, what can I expect otherwise? A blizzard? Well, it is a tempting thought!!! :D

Keep Warm you all and keep SAFE!!

I'm trying to do this 8-) as best as I can! :P

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by redbird on 02/10/11 at 09:48:16

loading up my moving van and headed your way LOL -31 actually temp was recorded here in Oklahoma last night ...just glad it was not at my house..
hoping for sunshine to melt the snow
redbird

Title: Re: Winter storm in the US Midwest
Post by jbean on 02/10/11 at 14:04:01

Well Lisa, as to your heat problem, as the old saying goes:

"You can always put on more clothes, but you can't always take more off!"

Today it was -10 in the morning with the wind chill. My encrusted car did not want to be moved, it just wanted to be shot so it wouldn't have to struggle any more.

Yes Deb, we have the ice, but it is a crust now on top of the snow, so we now have giant snow cones.... do NOT eat the yellow ones, they are NOT lemon! :P