Winter Storms in the South...an article that I wrote back in 2010

For this article I was paid 2.69 upfront.


http://voices.yahoo.com/winter-storms-south-5373701.html?cat=7



Winter Storms in the South
Don't Worry so Much About the Bread and Milk


Winter storms in the south are usually not all that severe, at least in comparison to winter storms in the northern states. For this reason many people who live in the south will be unprepared or under prepared for snowy or underprepared.



This weekend the weather reporters are calling for snow and ice, up to seven inches of snow. This is quite a lot for this area. Or even for areas south of North Carolina.



Something I've noticed since moving to the south is something that to me makes very little sense. The thing that I've noticed is many people panic and will rush out to stock up on milk and bread. Causing a shortage of both milk and bread, this just makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Because even if you could figure out enough different ways to use an over abundance of milk and bread, normally the snow and ice does not last very long at all. Hardly ever will the snow still be around a week later.




This being said, there are some things that you can do to be prepared for winter weather even in the south, and you not go into panic mode. Anything that someone does in a state of panic is very likely to have negative results. It will at the least be somewhat wasteful.



Now while a snowfall may not linger as long as in the southern states as it does in the northern states, ice storms, often create power outages for those living in the south.



Now this is more of a concern that rushing out to purchase milk and bread. So you need to be prepared.



Many stores sell what is called hurricane candles, these are candles that you can put a small globe over. You can find many varieties of these over in the candle section of most department stores. These normally store well.



If you chose to use these you will need to have a place to set these candles away from anything that could possibly catch fire. Don't place near curtains for example, or papers or books, or anything flammable.



The center of a clean and clear kitchen table is a good place to set a candle if you need to use one due to a power outage.



Something else you will want to have is flashlights, with good batteries. You will also need matches or a lighter if you will be using candles or kerosene lamps. These items need to be stored in an easy to access location.



If your sole heating source comes through electricity in any form that may be knocked out, if would be helpful to have a backup generator, but is really not something I'd personally purchase due to cost, and the fact being you'd still need a good place to store it, and would have to be able to go out and get gas for it. This is something that unless you also have a medical issue that requires some sort of electricity, such as oxygen may be an unneeded expense.



The investment in a kerosene heater can be an effect way to stay warm, in the south. Just remember to always fill your kerosene heater outside. Before you light your kerosene heaters make sure there is nothing within at least 3 feet of your heater. This will help to insure that nothing catches fire. Also do not place your heater in any doorways.



  
Extra blankets, and or quilts will also be helpful for if you happen to lose power and do not have a kerosene heater available.



In my next article I will discuss further how to be prepared for a winter snow storm in the south.
The first thing to remember is a source of light, and of heat. (You need light to see what you're doing, and heat to keep from freezing.)



  Next we'll discuss food, water and cooking...