Preparing for a Winter Storm...

[kschick96]

With Winter storm season almost here (or already here for some of us) what do you like to make sure you have on hand so you are prepared (other than your typical emergency supplies-candles, flashlights, batteries, etc)? Are you a person who runs to the store for "bread and milk," once they have announced a storm is coming or do you not worry about?

I was never a "bread and milk," runner until 3 years ago when a huge snow storm hit and the majority of the state had roads closed for a couple of days. When I was finally able dig out of the house after a couple of days and made it to the store-it was pretty much wiped clean. It took the delivery truck several days after the storm to get things delivered and I learned my lesson-so I am now one of those people who run to the store for bread and milk!

I always like to make sure I have stuff for chili, homemade cookies, and this year-diapers since I have depleted my stockpile.

How about you? (Thanks for some new ideas in advance)

[aimeebee]

When I started stockpiling, it eliminated the need for me to make a trip to the store in or before a snow storm. Some things I do keep in my stockpile are crackers, soups, chili's and/or the ingredients to make them. Hot cocoa!!! I sometimes buy bread and freeze it in case I'm not able to get fresh. Also, I sometimes buy frozen bread dough, I think it comes with two or three premade loaves of the dough, then you could bake it up during a storm. I keep yeast, bottled water, gallon jugs of water, tea bags, evaporated milk and shelf stable milk in my stockpile, too.

ETA: like you, I like to bake when we have a snow storm. Baking supplies are often cheapest around the holidays, so it is the perfect time to stock up on them. I pretty much always have brownies, cake and cookie mixes stocked from loss leader/coupon deals. Don't forget the frosting and sprinkles. I buy sprinkles on clearance and they don't go bad for a loooong time. I have every color, theme, holiday and season imaginable. So, if I make brownies in a snowstorm, I would frost them and top with blue and white snowflake sprinklies. Festive!

[foodie]

Hi,

Since we have a farm and our own dairy milk, sorry can't email that to "y'all"----I also keep aseptic soy milk, regular milk (i.e. Horizon cases of the 2% 8 oz. single serve milks which we use for our kids' school lunches and travel, etc.), powdered milk (which I usually reserve for baking), and other carton-style milk products.

Usually the 18 oz. cases of milk for Horizon, you pick up at BJ's Club and other warehouse clubs, local grocers, Whole Foods, or natural food stores. You can also order from local Buyers Clubs/Cooperatives and get case discounts. If you wish to have info on joining cooperatives, etc., PM or I will post info asap.

The Horizon milk usually sells for $12.99 to $15.99 for a case of 18 8 oz. individual single serve milk. Great for stockpiling, etc. Also, it usually has a shelf life for about 6 months or a year until opened like the aseptic cartons of juice, food broths, milks, etc.

Hope this helps--

Foodie

[CW&M Mom]

Seriously what is it with Kansas and milk and bread run?


I am from Utah...no one gives a flying fart if it's gonna snow 2 feet...they don't run in droves to the grocery store to buy all the milk up.

But out here in Rural Kansas...every dang time it's gonna snow...all the milk is gone in the entire city.

It drives me crazy LOL

I'll get back with what preparations we have made in case of torando/blackout/snow ect..... but I don't go make a run on the milk at wallyworld if it's gonna snow unless I have no more milk LOL

The one exception would be an ice storm. That I will go and make sure we have enough rock salt and food (albeit I stockpile so that isn't really a problem).

But snow I can drive in...as long as the dang city at least makes some kind of effort in moving.

[jenrose]

Most of our storms cause power outages so a generator and fuel is a must. So not much baking when that happens. We have had snow today which would be great baking weather but a wind storm is expected for tonight.

So with that said I need to have food on hand that I can make without power. Fixins for sandwiches and such, snacks, and games for the kiddos.

[Merczilla]

We're currently having a freezing rain/ice storm. lol You don't want to be out on the roads...it's like bumper cars out there. Everybody's in the ditch. And yes, I'm out of milk. Kids were pigs this last week. Everything else I'm fine on. I'll be mad if I miss this weeks sales, though.

[XUfan]

I'm in Ohio, and I've dealt with the "bread and milk" crazies for years! I don't understand it. Is that all they eat??? I mean, really. Even if I was stuck in the house for a week, and didn't have bread or milk, I'd be fine!

To answer your question, since I've started stockpiling, I really don't worry about snowstorms. But, I do make sure I always have certain things on hand. Hot cocoa, microwave popcorn (for movie watching), veggies to make soup, and baking essentials come to mind. Honestly, if they said it was going to snow tomorrow, I'd be just fine!

ETA: My hubby just chimed in and said, "Beer and chips!" LOL!!!

[Kulis]

We Pennsylvanians make a dash for bread and milk as soon as the forecast hints at snow. Just try to do your regular shopping the night before a storm is predicted; shelves are empty.
Since I learned how to stockpile, I don't worry too much about food during bad weather. We can make do with just about anything.
We must, however, have milk. My kiddo will drink nothing else. For that reason I try to keep a carton or two of the shelf-stable milk on hand.

[kschick96]

I've enjoyed reading how things are done around the country! It's too funny! If there is anyone else who wants to pipe in on what happens in their area once a ice or snow storm is forecasted-that would be awesome!

I (like everyone else on this site) have a good stockpile of food, paper products, etc, so I really don't worry about that stuff. After I submitted this question-I thought-well that was silly, most everyone has a good stockpile going! lol! I'm glad that people have focused on the "Bread and Milk," question instead! Any others out there that want to share? :)

[CW&M Mom]

Tip for ice storm.

Have your salt and ice scrapper and de icing stuff for your windshield IN YOUR HOUSE WITH YOU. Otherwise...good luck getting it out of your car LOL