i know the folks along the coasts have a good idea of the area that would be effected in a big storm--tidal surge and all that..but these ice storms seem to be a major threat over the last few years.did anyone run across any maps that show areas that would be more prone to ice than just plain winter snow storms.here in Minnesota it's the cold and snow but i have not seen a real ice storm.

At this point you know more than most planners ever will Steve.
I am very happy to see you sharing your experience with us and others.
Nothing could be better to do.

One of the reasons I stored several cans of Sterno was because I thought it was safe to use inside, unlike camp stoves. After all, that's what restaurants use under chafing dishes to keep food hot? Not?

Also, to the one worried about his lady friend, things are MUCH better here today. I don't know what the temp actually got to, but 48 degrees was predicted. The sun has been out all day, and we have had massive melt. The ice was gone off the trees and bushes by the time I looked outside this morning, and except where it was piled up from shoveling, much of the snow and ice is gone now.

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!

From the Sterno people http://www.sterno.com/pro/pages/gel.html
* Ethanol-based gel is nonexplosive and nontoxic
* Odor-free, smoke-free, carbon monoxide-free
* Resealable and reusable: Packaging made from reusable or recyclable materials
* Consistent BTUs keep food in the temperature safety zone *141°F+
* Delivers hottest maximum temperature with no spills or flare-ups

From PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/638911
"A high school student became ill and later unconscious while working over a heating table set over three cans of burning Sterno. Measurements of 1000 to 3000 parts per million of carbon monoxide were obtained around and above the apparatus. Although the room was well ventilated there was incomplete combustion of the canned heating fuel because the apparatus was surrounded by aluminum foil, which resulted in poor oxygenation of the flame area. This case demonstrates the hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning from incompletely burned Sterno."

Carbon monoxide isn't always the problem. Everything that burns requires oxygen to do it. People require oxygen, too. Well-sealed house + Sterno burning + people breathing might cause some problems.

Sue

+100 on that!!!!!

It was only 1/2 of his family

I'm just getting around to reading this thread. I am in Central Kentucky, just south of Lexington, and find some resonance with some of the other Ky. posters. Our power was off 5 days. I was disappointed in myself that I couldn't immediately locate things I needed. So lesson learned. And as someone else said, I have been more concerned with long-term planning, rather than short-term circumstances like this. A short term problem is statistically the more likely occurence. But we made out OK. Even though I had to hunt down some of my "stuff" I had enough redundancy we got through the first night until day broke and I could put my hands on things in the light of day.

I have a 5 gallon bucket lined with 2 garbage bags with some kitty litter inside. The lid is a toilet lid from emergencyessentials. It works well because the kitty litter cuts down on the smell and negates the liquid factor. I would guess that you could make a bag of kitty litter and a bunch of bags last well over a week. No water wastage! P.s. store the bucket in the garage and there is almost no smell in the cold. Throw (well, carefully place) the bags out with your trash...voila! Toilets can be reserved for their original intended use: the dog's water dish.

Another material that works well for bucket toilets is stove pellets. Dual-purpose for many, neat packaging and easily stored, doesn't become outdated if kept dry. A scoop added to the base of a woodstove fire seems to boost the heat factor, esp nice when you've got a cold room and a cold stove.

For those with a higher 'ick-factor' and some water for flushing, put solids in the porcelain toilet and urine in the bucket with the pellets. Since the pellets are just dampened, extruded sawdust, there is no toxicity problem, and it does a very good job on urine odor. It's also compostable.

It's also not bad as an emergency cat litter, but some cats that are used to the clay litters may object.

Sue