Snowpocalypse

There is a looming snowstom in my area, this storm has been in the forecast since last week, and we were supposed to get some flurries. I never saw a single flurry but I did see we were set for a new winter storm. My wife says that a cold January means snow but I don't think thats true. I think its just cold and its January. Last year we got our snowstorm extremely late in the year for NC. This snowstorm has been interesting to watch, we went from getting anywhere between 5-15" of snow to now getting 1-3" of ice and maybe 1" of snow. There is a Winter Storm Watch out now and its funny to see. People have ransacked the bread, water, and egg aisles. Did you know that historians do not know where we go the idea that during an emergency we need to make sure to have those three staples? It is thought that the reason why people purchase them is because going to the grocery store was something people did as a family event. It required you to hook up a cart and horse and take an hour trip to town to the local mercantile. So when you went you always got those staples bread, water, and eggs because you used them typically everyday in your home. That is the thought historians have anyway.

Having a medical conidition can make getting medical supplies during an emergency difficult. So having a chronic medical condition and the likelihood of having an emergency increase. Here are some tips that I use when there is a hurricane or snowstorm looming where I live.

Emergency Management Plan Guide

• Have a plan, make sure that you know every route to get to the hospital. I have the local map downloaded on my phone and it is best to stay on the main highways. The DoT priotizes the highways over any back roads. In the notes write in very detailed directions how to reach the hospital from your home. Make sure it's accessible to whoever will need access to it. The very worst case scenario is to call the ambulance but be prepared to wait and be patient.

• If you can afford it keep bottled watered in the home, I keep bottled water in the house, typically for when people come over, and to offer it to them as an alternative. I also keep it on hand for myself because I might need a quick oral hydratiol solution. I actually try to keep two cases in my house and typically I only buy them if I can find them on a sale where they are typically are BOGO. I just keep my eyes out on the sales and if I ever run low stock up during that time.

• I keep one small medical bag with my supplies in the closet. Its my medical bug out bag, I am not a Doomsday Prepper, but I do believe in being prepared. I keep a small bag with typically two - three wafers, two bags of each ostomy, three molds, and ziploc bags. I put them in the corner of my linen closet where I or my wife can access them easily. That way if I need to leave in a pinch I can grab them without thinking. I do a similar thing for my IV fluids, I keep two-three IV bags in a backpack, travel IV pole, alcohol wipes, ethanol locks, first-aid kit, and headlamp in another corner of my house.

• I always make sure to have at least a weeks of medical supplies and medications in the house. You never know what can happen to the delivery system and by keeping a week of supplies it helps if there are any delays in the system.

• For food, I keep soups, something easy that have lots of nutrients, and not alot of upkeep. I have protein bars and in a pinch I can mix the Kachava products with water. They are gross with water though. 🤢

• Keep a charging bank and keep it charged. I have a power supply that can charge my phone five times and my laptop once. I even have the one where you can jump you car. The one thing though that I find most people do is forget to charge it when they need it.

• I always fill up my gas tank the night before the storm. It's that way if you need to travel it allows you the option. When Asheville was hit with a hurricane a year ago many people were stuck and couldn't travel because the power was out and they couldn't pump gas. Then the roads were washed out and gas stations began to run out.

• Have a backup plan and be flexible. People panic and they get in their heads. We immediately think the worst. Remember if you are at your backup plan that things aren't going well and you probably aren't the only one going to their backup. You have to flexible and understanding and look at options that you didn't have to originally.