Let’s cut to the chase. These are the basics: Water Your family needs at least one gallon of water per person, per day, to function during an emergency. You’ll also need extra water for pets, cooking, and hygiene. If you’re preparing for a two-week emergency, that comes to 56-112 gallons or more of water. Many…
Read more Smart Ways to Survive and Prepare For Power Outages and No Electricity
In our bug out bags, we keep assorted bandanas among our emergency gear. One of my favorites is this mammoth one: Other uses for bandanas include: Use as a hat or scarf. Make a protective mask with one of them. Cold compress (wet one or add ice if available). Make a splint with a paint…
ERCOT’s use of Energy Emergency Alerts Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has a progressive series of emergency procedures that may be used when operating reserves drop below specified levels. These procedures are designed to protect the reliability of the electric systemas a whole and prevent an uncontrolled system-wide outage. Per ERCOT Protocols and North American Electric…
Read more Questions Answered: Texas Get Ready for More Power Outages
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a state of emergency across the entire state ahead of the arrival of the current winter storm, and requested a federal emergency declaration from the White House to establish additional resources for communities impacted. “Every part of the state will face freezing conditions over the coming days, and I urge…
Read more Mid-States From Dakotas to Texas Brace For ‘Once in a Generation’ Winter Storm
CleverJourneys offers readers the following tips for preventing property damage during freezing weather: Before Freezing Weather Wrap all exposed pipes located outside or in unheated areas of the home. Remove garden hoses from outside faucets. Insulate outside faucets with Styrofoam cover, rags or paper. Cover vents around the foundation of your home. Know where your…
Read more Actions to Take to Protect Property Damage During Freezing Weather
There are roughly 156,000 car accidents in the U.S. during the winter season. Of those crashes, 76,000 people will be injured, and 1,300 will lose their lives. The three major causes of winter driving accidents are: 1. Spin Out Collisions 2. Rear End Car Crashes 3. Lane Drifting Accidents Winter storms create a higher risk…
In our neck of the woods–the Texas Hill Country, over an hour northwest of San Antonio–we usually have to travel to see winter snow. Wouldn’t you know it? The one year San Antonio experienced a whopping 13.5 inches of snow in 1985, the International Airport had loaned their only snowplow to Denver. It was a…
I miss rain. When I was seven, we lived on West Ansley in south San Antonio. Three Dennis families, lived side by side, with six acres among us. It was my last innocent summer in many ways. In just a few months Blackie, my devoted Cocker Spaniel would be dead. Nineteen days later, I would…
Read more My First Great Adventure Was In a Torrential Storm
Following the severe weather and flooding in South Texas during Hurricane Hanna, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today warned that state law prohibits price gouging in the wake of a declared disaster. Under state law, once the governor issues a declaration, vendors are prohibited from charging exorbitant prices for necessities such as drinking water, food, batteries, generators, towing, clothing,…
We passed up going to WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and I instantly regretted it after we left. Driving away toward the Great Smokies National Park, I suddenly remembered a Facebook post from a friend, Janie Buys, a few years ago mentioning the attraction. It seems she had doubts about visiting it with husband Phil…
Read more 10 Clever Facts We Learned at WonderWorks in Branson, Missouri
There was a fierce storm in Santa Claus. “It’s a hateful rain,” proclaimed Dodie as we traveled farther away from Louisville as fast as we possibly could. Earlier we stopped in Frankfort, Kentucky to pay our respects at American frontiersman Daniel Boone’s gravesite. He’s buried next to his wife Rebecca at one of the most…
How much wind would it take to blow you away? Depending on what you weigh, the strongest sustained winds a large man might be able to withstand without getting blown away is near 70 mph. The maximum gust he could stand without getting blown away is roughly 95 mph. Severe Weather Events The following weather events are the most common while…
