Preparing for Frankenstorm
My perfect moment came to me around 12:30 am Saturday night (Sunday morning), and no plan hatched in the wee hours of the morning can ever go wrong.
In the event of a power outage from the Frankenstorm, we should move any food out of our second freezer into our first freezer, ensuring that our first freezer is now packed (freezers can retain their temperature up to 48 hours in a power outage as long as said freezer is somewhat full) and we’ll fill the second freezer with water bottles. Then, when the power inevitably goes out, we’ll race down to our refrigerator and move some of the freezable items — such as the milk or half-and-half — to the second freezer. Which will keep them colder and safe to consume for days, and we won’t need to open our main freezer door at all. Please don’t tell me if there are any holes in this plan because by the time you are reading this, we have likely already lost power and my plan is in motion. Please only congratulate me on its brilliance.
Unlike the derecho this summer when we only got a two hour warning at best (and I ignored all two hours of warnings), we’ve had days to prepare for this storm, creating an almost festive atmosphere. We went out shopping on Friday night for supplies and the store was packed with people, randomly grabbing bags of Doritos and ice. Though the stores were cleaned out of things such as batteries and water, everyone sort of had a bemused attitude towards preparations. To get us through multiple days without power, we’ve amassed a feast of peanut butter, peanuts, wasabi peas, apples, bananas, vegan marshmallows, and granola bars. I prepped a blanket I want to finish for the ChickieNob since I can hand-sew sans power. I printed out parts of the new book so I can continue to work on it on paper (what a novel concept) during the power outage. We are going to trick-or-treat in the house on Wednesday, Josh and I going from room to room ahead of the twins so they can knock on each door and collect the candy we would have handed out to neighbours. We have games, we have books, we have art projects, AND WE HAVE NO SCHOOL!
It feels very strange to go into this storm in this mindset, as if it’s just one big, fun adventure. There will be people who will lose their lives. There will be people who will lose their homes or vehicles. WE could be in that group, and I’ve spent a lot of time worrying about the trees around our house. It feels wrong to go into the storm like this, and yet, how else can you react when you are facing down a natural disaster? There is nothing we can do to stop this, nothing we can do to change what will happen. There’s nothing to do but hope for the best and send out constant communications with everyone we know and love: Are you alright? Are you alright? Are you alright?
It’s sobering. It’s quieting. And yet, like violinists playing madly on the deck of the Titanic, we’ve downloaded Psy’s “Gangnam Style” and finished off a party playlist to get us through the storm. See you on the other side.
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29 comments
May you weather the storm unscathed and enjoy it as much as can be.
Thinking of you and everyone in storm Sandy’s path.
Also sending thoughts to all those in the storms path.
We are expected to get a lot of rain & high winds here in southern Ontario… it’s possible there could be power outages, but I don’t see or hear about people madly preparing (although there have been warnings in the news about removing patio deck furniture). The last time we had a major power outage (26 hours where I live) was in August 2003, along with the entire eastern half of North America, & we’ve had a few big blizzards (including the one in 1999 where our city’s mayor famously called in the army to help shovel us out), but those turned out to be more inconvenient than anything else. I think there have been so many Chicken Little warnings people always assume it isn’t going to be as bad as forecasted. Here’s hoping the forecasts are wrong again, but you know that one of these times….
The morning commute was miserable — it’s already cold & very rainy. Stay warm, dry & safe!!
I am 19 miles inland from Atlantic City, NJ- in the direct path of Sandy. Honestly, the mood around these parts has been serious but not full-on panic. However, looking out of my window right now, knowing she’s not even here yet… I’m feeling a little/a lot worried. Using my last few hours of wifi and electricity, counting my blessings, cuddling with hubby, my son, and my cats. Hoping for the best.
Stay safe.
Although this is a large storm in size, it’s not that strong. If you’re close to the beach, then yeah, evacuate.
If you’re really concerned with the freezer, then get some dry ice. Your plan does seem like it will work. If nothing else, when the power comes back on, just throw away anything that doesn’t have ice crystals on it.
One of my best storm memories was a 4th of July storm that hit my neighborhood pretty badly. Power was out due to downed trees. We had a huge block party accompanied with hamburgers and steaks. Everybody’s freezers went out so we had to do something with the meat…
I think your freezer plan is brilliant. Hoping hard that you are all okay & that years later this is just one more adventure for you all to remember.
I’ve got a similar freezer scenario going on right now so naturally I agree with your brilliance. I fact, I so fully believe in my plan that I foolishly tempted fate and did all of my regular grocery shopping this week. So if my neighborhood is without power for 14 days or something insane like that it is probably my fault.
Hope you all stay safe and dry!
This is the first time I’ve ever had a huge storm named after me, lol. Hope you stay safe and dry!
Thinking of you (and everyone else in the path) as this storm hits and really hoping it is not as bad as they are predicting. I think your attitude is the only way to go into a storm and I love the trick or treating throughout the house plan. Keep safe.
Stay safe down there. The pics from Ocean City, MD and Atlantic City, NJ are terrifying… and this thing is still 200 miles from shore yet.
Brilliant plan with the freezers. I’m impressed at all your preparations, including your party playlist. Stay safe and I’ll be thinking of you and everyone else in Sandy’s path.
We too are in a bit of party mode around here. It’s kinda nice to have two days to refresh a bit. I just did chores around the house I don’t think I would have gotten too for awhile. I slept in. The kids are having fun playing Wii, board games and drawing. Our 16 year old is actually taking a nap (unheard of around here). We’ve done all we can to prep with water, food, etc. And of course our ipods and portable speakers are ready for impromptu dance parties 🙂
Hope you guys stay safe and it’s not as bad as predicted.
See you on the other side, friend.
Brilliant plan! Stay safe & look forward to hearing from you after Sandy passes.
Stay safe! Having been through 13 days of no power last year in CT (thanks Irene and freak October snowstorm), I’m happily living in IL. Sounds like this one is going to be a doozy.
I hope all who are in Sandy’s path stay safe. We have the weather channel on the computer to keep up to date. I look forward to catching up with many bloggers once the storm has passed to hear that you are all safe and well. xxx
I started stockpiling ice on Thursday. I had the same thought. We went in the early AM and the store was packed, but stocked. Firewood, granola bars, and card games. The sad thing is expecting the power to go out, I might be disappointed if it doesn’t.
Oh, I feel a little guilty now about enjoying our Halloween preparations so much without considering the storm spoiling things for the east coast! That’s such a good idea for the home trick-or-treating, though. I’ll have to remember that, and hope we never need to use it.
Your plan sounds good to me.
It’s a brilliant plan 🙂
I think your plans sound amazing, right down tot he trick-or-treating (and the novel idea of writing on paper). You will be in my thoughts constantly until I hear from you on the other side.
Til then.
Be safe! I hope your storm brings nothing worse than loud Gangnam Style karaoke.
I’m glad you have made plans, and I hope you all stay safe.
Your plan does sound brilliant, not to mention a lot of fun! If I had to be stuck somewhere on the Easy Coast right now, your home sounds like a pretty awesome place to be! From the snacks, to the trick-or-treating plan, music and games, Frankenstorm definitely sounds like a natural disaster to remember and that your family will bond over.
That said, I get that it is certainly not all fun and games and appreciate your acknowledgement of that. It is sad and terrifying to comprehend. Sending love, thoughts and prayers from the Midwest your way and to all those experiencing, preparing for or recovering from Sandy. Hang in there and be safe. xoxo
Sounds like you’ve done all that you can do- I hope the storm passes you by!
Wishing you the best!!!
P.S. Your plan is BRILLIANT! Congrats!
Stay safe over there. Your plan sounds good and fun, nothing wrong with that. Whatever works to stay somewhat calm is a bonus. Thinking of you and everyone else out there.
Great plan! I have been thinking of you guys. Stay safe xx
No hurricane would stop me from trick-or-treating!
Much luck – I hope the storm is mild where you are. Damage reports so far have been a bit scary…
I think it sounds great. And if I ever had a choice between a known natural disaster or sudden unexpected and unknown, I’d take known. I hope it’s been ok and you’re all safe.
I hope you guys are safe; most of my family is in New Jersey and are slowly working towards regaining normalcy. I really like the idea of trick-or-treating from door-to-door in your house. When I was a kid, my sister actually made a “candy vending machine” out of a cardboard box, a paper towel tube, and the candy that she saved from Halloween. We were the only two kids, so she had a pretty small clientele, but she did end up with most of my change. I ended up with most of her candy. So it was a good deal. I hope trick-or-treating was as awesome as I imagine it was!