Lessons from the Storm

It is in a crisis that we learn the most valuable lessons of all. Before the holidays, we were warned of an impending snow storm with up to four inches of snow which is a lot of snow for north Georgia. We ended up with over a foot of snow and were snowbound for six days with roads covered in snow and ice. We lost power on day two of the storm and then our cell tower went down. We are fortunate to have a landline so we had communication with family and friends. Otherwise, we had everything we needed so we bundled up to stay warm inside our home.

While we were without power, we made a list of things we needed to do to further prepare, adding to the list and making periodic changes. Surprisingly, it was a short list and we were only without power and cellphone service for a little more than 24 hours. In the event that you're expecting a major weather event, perhaps our little list will be helpful.

• Lights Out Kit (high power flashlights, solar lights, small liquid paraffin candles, light sticks, aluminum foil to reflect light, and extra batteries)

• Fire Starter Kit (matches, lighters, tinder and kindling like petroleum jelly cotton balls, paraffin dipped pine cones, etc.)

• Propane heater

• Tire chains

• 2 snow shovels

There are flashlights in every room in our home but the lights out kit would have been a plus and the fire starter kit would have simplified the search for matches, tinder and kindling. We have a gas grill, gas stove, and gas fireplace or we would have included in our list a camp stove, grill for a fire pit, or wood stove. If the power had been out for much longer than 24 hours, we would have required much more. We were grateful that we were prepared for the relatively little discomfort that we experienced and hope to be even more prepared if something bigger comes along.