The 'Advisory' kicks in at 1am, so no sleep for me, tonight.

And I agree, ice storms can be the worst.

I'm hoping they are just doing their not uncommon over stating of what might happen. But, once you've been through what I went through, those words are a really bad trigger.

so I feel your concern! Let's cross fingers and toes that the weatherpersons are merely stating the worst that can happen, and that the worst DOES NOT happen!

that must be one hell of an ice storm approaching! That phrase has been used to describe weather in Atlanta Georgia but I'm pretty sure there's no comparison.

We had the generator on the opened screened in porch - in the open doorway, and the wind shifted, strong, heading out of the north. It blew carbon monoxide into the house. I was light headed but thought it was due to the gas fumes. I hadn't slept for more than a few hours, in several days, so my thinking process was already skewed. I had no idea how much danger I was in unitl my brother came by and realized what was happening.

I went a good 4 or more months with a very damaged sense of taste. Had he not come by, I have no doubt I would have died.

So ice storms now really trigger me.

Hopefully, it won't be as bad as last time....🤞🤞

That was the biggest issue, during the long outage. Every hour, or so, I was lugging 10 to 12 buckets of water up the basement stairs. And that was around the clock. After I filled the bath tub, to have water for the toilet, I was throwing water in the laundry tub and out the front door. That went on for 2 full days, around the clock, before they brought the generator over.

I'm much smarter, now, but also older.

Stay safe, and call for help if it gets dire! Don’t want anything to happen to you!

However, the "funny" thing about that last ice storm was, our power didn't go out until several hours AFTER the storm ended! So, my guard stays up until I see sunshine!!

you're warm and comfy up there when I wake in the middle of the night as usual. "See" you tomorrow.

Nothing good comes from panic. Breathe!

You control your perception and response to any given situation.

Ceding ground to ptsd can steer you into poor decisions that have ugly consequences, stay calm and think each action through as best you can.

If all else fails, go into abstract, look at the situation as a game, plot your moves ahead of time, have predetermined choices in place, try to imagine all that could happen and the best possible solutions to each.

I survived hurricane Andrew, 30 miles from the eyewall, you can survive this.

Edit: and yes, rest every single minute that you can:

If you don't need to move, be still

If you don't need to be still, sit

If you don't need to sit, lie down

If you don't need to stay awake, then sleep.

The sympathetic nervous system does have a mind of its own.

I think the local power company learned a hard lesson, last time. They are already gearing up. And, on the positive thoughts side, after that big outage, they did one hell of a lot of tree removal and trimming, in this part of town.

You'll need all of your strength if you do lose power. (I'm betting/hoping you won't.)

Get enough sleep. There's nothing you can do in the middle of the night in an ice storm anyway. So, be prepared and find a way to keep calm.

It'll be okay, Siwsan. As an old saying goes, "You've survived 100% of your worst days. You're doing fine."

When freaking out, EAT, I always say! Take care & check in to let us know you are okay.

But I'm going to make an omelet. And, I DID make a Manhattan, to steady my nerves.

I will check in, tomorrow! Thanks!!

I’m more worried about Thursday morning. A second round of the storm and they saying it’ll be worse. Girl friend is suppose to drive to Detroit then. May not go. I was going to get a generator but opted for a natural gas space heater. Need no electric power and heats the whole little house and cost me less than $250 installed.

Good luck.

But now I'm wishing I had paid more and gotten one of the kind that automatically kicks on. Maybe I can sell this one, and upgrade. My only real concern is the sump hole filling and flooding. That was a nightmare, in 2013.

That Thursday forecast sure is different from what they were showing earlier, today! Damn. One of the reasons my car repair has taken so long (2+weeks, so far) is the weather. Now I'm thinking I'll be housebound until some time next week!! GHAAA!!

I hear ya! Whenever we've had a long-term power outage we only run the generator OUTSIDE during the day (to charge-up phones, laptops, and to chill down the refrigerator and freezer). Then at night we power it down and put it back in the locked garage.

A portable generator running at night is saying "GENERATOR HERE! STEAL ME!"

You're right to be cautious. We're also super aware of the dangers of CO poisoning and that's why we won't even run the generator in the garage during wet weather. (Instead, my husband sets up the 10x10 folding picnic awning to protect the generator from weather.)

During the day we can cook on hotplates or electric griddles, but at night when the generator is off, we cook with portable camping stoves. And our heat is a Kerosun heater.

No ice is coming our way any time soon, thankfully... Where are you?

The latest report is they don't anticipate this will be "catastrophic" but the do anticipate power outages. As long as the sump hole isn't filling, I'm going to attempt to think rationally. It's difficult, but I'll try.

A big part of my panic comes from what happened in 2013. Near death experiences do have a lasting impact. I'm becoming very aware that our sympathetic nervous systems actually don't have an ounce of sympathy for us! They need to rename it, pronto!

for your pump. Uses a car battery and you can keep a spare one if it runs down. Or switch the one in your car and charge the other one with the car. I had one when I lived in Ohio and it worked well.

So far there is barely a trickle coming in - unlike 2013 when ground water was streaming into the sump hole. What a nightmare!

ice storms are simply the worst.
Thank goodness you're not out on the road.

And I'm thinking this latest weather issue will turn into another delay.

best wishes

If that which doesn't kill me only makes me stronger, LOOK OUT, WORLD!!

So I feel for you. Wish I could help but will hope all’s well and the sump stays dry.

If you are expecting a storm, start you gennie now. If it's been a while, it won't start. Gas with ethanol will clog the needle valve and it won't start no matter how much you pull the cord or spray in starter fluid.

I
When it doesn't start, go on YouTube and find a clip on how to find and clean the needle valve. It is easy once you see it once.

Don't wait until you have no power or internet, or your wife or partner will write you off as useless and will call your annoying in-laws or that know it all neighbor.

Trust me, it isn't worth waiting. Don't ask me how I know.

But unless the sump hole starts filling up, the generator is staying off, for as long as possible.

Propane engines aren't as much of a concern. But if you are using e10 gas, at least pay someone to start it and run it dry. All they have to do is close fuel shut off valve and let the gennie run out of fuel. It's fuel sitting in the carb that causes the problem.

Alternatively, drain the carb. Most have a bolt you can back out to drain the bowl. You can also try to find ethanol free fuel.

Good luck.

I'm good with cleaning carburetors, but it's enough of a pain that buying the expensive gas is easier. Never leave cheap gas in the tank, run it dry before you leave it sit for any extended period. Have gas on hand for when you need it, and if you have warning, like it was said, fire it up before you have to have it.

Fingers crossed

I loved a nice ice storm. Now not so much.

This too will pass

I know they are likely hyping things up to be worse than they anticipate, but damn. This might be a 2 day event.

Not sure I'm up to it, but what choice to I have? It wouldn't be so scary, if I had my car but I can't even get out to buy more gas. Fortunately, I have some great neighbors I can call on, if I get too GHAAAAAAAAA!!!1

What is awful weather for two days. You will survive this.

Make some nice chicken soup and put on your favorite music.

Definitely not watching the SOTU tonight. That might kick me over the edge. I'm making an omelet and pulling some good books off of the bookshelf. Reading got me though the last outage. And I know, as soon as it's safe, my brother will be here to make sure I'm still feisty.

Now you just stay warm and comfy.

Power! Do you hear me? STAY ON!

You're in my prayerful remembrance tonite. 💙

⛅ 🌈

I hate anticipating bad things. But isn't it lovely when they don't come to fruition??

Ice storms wig me out bad.

We've lost power numerous times.

Halfway done getting a whole house generator going. Power done, gas line put in. City inspector coming when? Then gas connected to meter. Then electrician back to walk the mister thru and crank it on I guess.

I just want it done. Back in the early 2000's, I threw out $750 worth of food freezer and fridge. We took kitteh and got a hotel room. I cried when I threw out all that food.

Michael shut our power down and I lost food in the fridge only. I got on the mister to get it done. We had quotes galore all last year then sat on it. I'm too old for this happy horse pucky.

You are loved!

You have my every sympathy. I was subjected to chronic exposure to CO poisoning thanks to a faulty home furnace. I am now afraid to turn on the heat even when it gets down to zero or below zero. I stay warm mostly with a small space heater (electric) and lots of warm blankees and throws.

Take a deep breath. You will have to endure this for only a couple of days. Sounds to me like you will be just fine with your firewood and oil lamps. Pretend that you are on a grand adventure and post here as often you need to for support.

I have family who are going to be in middle of that slop.

I've been in a couple ice storms, in Michigan and North Carolina (power was out for a week! ).

Are there any local DJs left on the radio? When I was stuck in the house for a week in NC, there was a DJ who volunteered and stayed on the air through the worst of it - and he was our best friend. He took calls from people who told listeners their nearest major intersection and the conditions there, including power. It made all the difference to know that we weren't alone.

Best of luck to you. Stay warm and stay calm. You've been through worse and made it out the other side.

And bring out my 2 feather comforters. It's amazing how much body heat they trap. I closed off that room during the 2013 week long outage and it remained really cozy. And if I see any outages starting, I'll fill the bath tub.

I'm going to be hopeful that all of the tree trimming the energy company has done, since that massive outage, will mitigate some of the risk of another big outage. Maybe not in the rural areas - but hopefully where I live, which is a high retail area.

Not sure about the DJ situation, here. I know there are some.

You have at least a couple dozen gallons of clean and drinkable water in your water heater.

And find the station with a DJ! I couldn't believe the psychological relief it gave me to listen. I had my husband and 2 cats for company, but there was nothing like hearing from the outside world.

And, once the roads are safe, I know my brother will be here, with what ever I might need.

I have a couple of radios that you can crank for power. Should the need arise, I'll definitely do some DJ searching.

[link:

I believe in your ability to tough it out! Good luck. Think warm thoughts.

and small devices

if you an get it quick

this is Michigan, so anything I can buy to make outages less stressful is on my list.

Right now my car is in the shop so I don't have the back up option of charging my phone, should the power go out. I recently bought a new phone but kept the old one. I charged them both, and should the need occur, I can move the SIM card from the new to the old, and double my phone time.

It looks like they've, once again, changed the forecast for Thursday from more ice to just rain, so that's a bit of good news. Of course, since this IS Michigan, that could change, yet again. Several times.

as I can afford it. Really I should be doing it much faster but I can't justify all the expense at once. Everyone knows you should have one but when push comes to shove it's hard to park the money into something you may not use...

Crazy. But, after 11 hours, the power at my cousin's house, in Grand Rapids, just came back on. She said she can't wait to get the house warmed up fro 57 to 68.

You got multitude of prayers going on. 💓

Of course, I still have to steel myself to go out and remove even MORE debris from the storm drains. I want tomorrow's melt off to go off rapidly, with no ponding, so that the street doesn't turn into an ice rink when the temperatures drop, again!

I keep telling myself, at least we didn't get constantly buried in record breaking snow, this year! At least, not yet. I'd better be careful to avoid jinxing things!

It sounds like you are prepared so try not to worry about things that haven’t happened, and might not happen. I’m a real worrier and my friend, a psychologist, always asks me “how is that worry serving you?” She’s right. Try to stay calm - I know it’s not easy. I hope you have a calm night and a tasty omelette. 🙂

It was more difficult walking from my house to the car than my 35 mile commute in to work! They did a good job salting the freeways this morning.

to page 7!

I hope you are doing okay. Did you lose power? Please respond when you can.

We got quite a dose of sleet and freezing rain but the lines and trees held up. My cousins live in Grand Rapids, and they're going on day 2 with no power. The weather seemed to double down, for them. We got another round of sleet and a little freezing rain, but then it warmed up into the low 40's, and now it looks like it's raining.

The big problem, here, is that the temperatures are set to plummet, starting tomorrow, so all of this precip is going to freeze, again. I keep going out to make sure the storm drains aren't blocked by all of the debris that's been floating down the street. I'm at the lowest part of the subdivision so if I don't keep the water flowing, I'll end up with a frozen pond at the base of my driveway.

Thanks for checking in on me!