GA Winter Storm 2014, Prep?
Snow?
Winter's in Georgia are typically mild compared to most places in the southern region. The rare thing is to ever see snow accumulate and last more than a few hours much less a few days.
The 2014 winter season has been unusual for the whole world. The whole United States is no exception and has been battling winter weather issues that are totally unusual for everyone, so why not GA.
It's even been unusual for the states that are supposedly prepared for it and deal with it on an annual basis.
I am the first to say that i think there's a conspiracy between the grocery stores and the weather channel because of the hike in sales that go on during any cold weather warning or claims.
Yet since it seems the winter weather this year, 2014 has been so haphazard you would think that everyone would have been more prepared for it when it would actually make an impact.
Oh did i say a bad word? Prepared, prepared, prepared!
I always love to hear people recite the word, "hindsight". Yet whatever happened to "foresight", and preparation. What about being proactive?
No matter who is responsible we all need to evaluate our own involvement in what happened during the first winter snow storm of 2014.
The storm of 2011 is a moot point. Blaming whomever is no reason not to move on. Yes, what about the loss of lives, livelihood and money.
So will we be prepared when it happens again?
Home prep
Supplies
- shovel
- outside brush/broom
- salt
- sand
- cat litter
- gravel
These are either used to melt the snow or give you traction.
Location
- steps / stairs
- walkways
- drive ways
- side walks
You typically want to treat the areas where you will have to enter or leave the house. Park, move or drive your vehicle, etc.
Food
- bread
- water
- peanut butter / jelly
- can, tuna
Although lots of people buy out the milk, i don't hold with this just in case the electricity goes out. So canned milk or dry milk is a better choice. Also have foods that you can eat both hot or cold.
Another warning if the electricity goes off and things stay in your refrigerator for more than maybe 2 to 3 hours, you either need to cook it, put it outside taking precautions that it won't explode or throw it away.
Other
- battery operated devices
- heater
- wood stove
- logs for fire
- candles
- blankets, quilts
- plastic
- a small tent
- sleeping bags
Having extras around the house at anytime is a great idea. Camping gear, and lamps of all kinds that don't need electricity are all wonderful.
Personal gear
- heavy coat
- gloves
- hat
- scarves
- boots with traction / tread
- ear muffs
Remember, dressing in layers is always the best thing to do in any winter storm, especially if you have any intention of being exposed to the element for any length of time.
City vs State
I find it interesting how this became an issue and a continued part of the mayor speech about who had responsibility for what.
Who cares. Work together we are all Georgians and the safety and tax dollars of all the people are necessary to run the state and the city.
What needed care. Most organizations have autonomy, meaning they made their own decisions based on what information they got when.
We need to re evaluate who's in these positions was all i could think of when all the blame game chips were down...
Things affected
- Roads
- Schools, colleges
- Hospitals
- Businesses
- Government offices and workers
- Major roads thorough fares
- Highways
- Public transportation
To name the few that impacted me.
What made things worse was no one seemed prepared. No one!
Have you ever been in Georgia during the winter?
State
What happened in the state affected us more drastically, because they are the one that have ultimate responsibility for the safety of the roads.
And when you think of it for the schools and government offices.
Yet they didn't seem to even be prepared, trying to shuffle blame on each other, truckers and the weather forecasters.
There would have been no need for blame, shame or the major problems that occurred if PREPARATION was already in place, weren't tax dollars available.
Things to pack
In general
| for car
| in bags
|
|---|---|---|
water
| water
| extra clothes
|
blankets
| blankets
| batteries
|
batteries
| gasoline
| first aid,bandaid, peroxide, petroleum jelly
|
food / snacks
| food/snacks
| snacks
|
flashlight
| batteries
| extra money, cash
|
first aid kit
| first aid kit
| |
extra clothes
| flash light
| |
phone/ contacts
| extra clothes
| |
gasoline
| contacts, phone
|
Would you consider visiting Georgia during the winter?
Necessary people
No matter the predictions, the government should have been on alert. Should have been mobilized, especially on major streets, roadways and interstate roads leading in and out of the city, a couple hours before the snow fall and accumulation.
I know it is always hard to do what pleases everyone, but decisions that are earmarked safety should always take priority to commerce or someone's bottom line.
Who
- Police department
- Fire department
- Hospital workers
- Government workers, necessary personnel
Prep work
- Continuous updates
- Weather tracking
- Night before
- Day of
- Couple hours til
- Announcements
I know that morning had everyone believing the predicted storm wouldn't happen but it was better to be PREPARED and it not happen, than unPREPARED and have to deal with all of the consequences from not.
Disunity among leaders
More than anything else you really could see the cracks in the pavement when it came to all the people who had the autonomy to make vital decisions.
Schools, Superintendents, Parents and teachers
Government, State, City and Local
Citizens
Businesses
Joe Blow and Jane Doe...
Cleanup
Always faster with the sun!
