Please Read! WINTER WARNING! [weather]

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Very dangerous conditions exist in Illinois right now. Awhile ago, I went out in the old chev 4 wheel pull checkin the roads. Lil Dumplin is on call tonite and I'll have to take'r to work if she's called out. Wanted to check the roads before dark. Up the road about a mile came across a little car in the ditch. Front wheel pull and two young girls were there tryin to get it out. With temps at 5 above and a brisk wind from the west-the chill factor was in the range of -20 to -25 BELOW ZERO! No boots, no gloves or ANY KIND OF STRONG WEATHER CLOTHS! I quickly hooked on'm with my nylon jerk rope and GENTLY nudged it out. Told'm to be careful and also to put a cold weather kit in their vehicle--candles, matches, blankets etc. I didn't gripe at'm but told'm it could be a life threatning event if nobody was around to help'm out. They were too young to really know the severe implications involved when something goes wrong. Told'm also to not worry---I may be older'n dirt but I still liked to get out and drive around in bad weather too. Difference is---I've got a cab full of winter clothes-behind the seat. I also had my CELL PHONE! Everybody travelin in this bad weather--please prepare for it. You'r life or somebody else's very well could depend on it! hoot---the old know it all hillbilly from Illinois. Matt.24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), December 17, 2000

Answers

Thanks for the reminder!! We always keep a few heavey blankets,flashlights and food{snacks}peanuts,or dried fruit also an unopened gallon of water.I like the candles,they may give off a little heat. Thanks again Hoot!

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), December 17, 2000.

Oh, Hoot. Good reminder, and I have a question for you and others on the forum. I was always taught that in a blizzard, when you get stranded in your car, STAY IN THE CAR so you will be found. (Of course, this is providing you have all the gear you mentioned). I took a survival test with the boy scouts at a home show or something last fall, and one of the questions on their test was what should you do in this situation. The eagle scout kindly informed me I would die in the car if I stayed in it, I should get out and walk to try to find the nearest road/house, etc. So, what should you really do? I'm curious to see what others think. Jan

-- Jan in Colorado (Janice12@aol.com), December 17, 2000.

I always keep a pair of swimming trunks and picnic blanket behind the seat of my truck! It is a little chilly out there tonite down in the mid 40's.

-- Mark in NC Fla (deadgoatman@webtv.net), December 17, 2000.

Jan,I have always heard stay in the car but do not run the motor incase snow is in the tailpipe. I know if I got stuck I would have to stay put because of the children. I have also heard if worst comes to worst you should remove your shirts and all hug together under 1 blanket. Also if small children are involved place them inside your cloths because of your body heat.

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), December 17, 2000.

Food would never be a problem there is probally a box of cheerios on the floor some raisins and if you go under the seat who nows what you may find .Always have extra cloths too ! Don't you know what goes in the truck is never to be taken out or at least my children think so .Thanks for the reminder on a serious note .

-- Patty (fodfarms@slic.com), December 17, 2000.


Patty! My old belly is hurtin from laff'n at your response. The old Chev has a floorboard full of p-nut shells. Lil Dumplin says I shouldn't throw'm on the floor. I've told'r "why not"? Ain't nobody gonna holler at'me over'm bein there! It's my truck and besides all that a body could always eat'm if need be! Every once in awhile I find a perfectly good p-nut goodie on the floor that I've dropped whilst drivin!

Serious side again---If it's a road traveled by others --stay put! Everybody should have the winter kit--with matches, extra clothes, boots, blankets, flashlight and candles. A candle inside a vehicle will keep you from freezin to death. Throw in a dozen if you want! Dried fruit, cereal wouldn't hurt a thing along with candy etc. It's kinda hard to keep water because of freezing but a gallon jug that's about half full would work. It could be thawed out if needed. Some other things to consider-a cell phone,cheapie c.b.radio or ham radio if licensed. Depending upon how much room you have----! We have enough in lil dumplins truck topper to live for awhile if need be. Most will not have that much room to store things but the bare necessities will fit in almost anybody's trunk. So--for all you procrastinators [like me] fix your kit up now before you forget it. "Snug as a bug in a rug" is what you'll be if stranded and you have your "strong weather kit" with ya. Check on your neighbors. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), December 17, 2000.


I used to live up there in the frozen tundra and the year before last I drove up to see my family for delayed Christmas on new Years...the blizzard of '99. Simply stupid cold. I spun around on the freeway twice towing my friends truck behind mine and looked into the eyes of the truck driver that I KNEW was going to hit me. God somehow stopped that from happening, and I am very thankful!!! Even though I was on the I- road an hour out of Bloomington-Normal and people saw me flying off the road it was about 2 hours before a sheriff stopped. It was crazy cold.

The point here is, that you can run the car if you check and make certain that the tail pipe is clear. In that wind and with -25 windchill you won't last long walking with no sheltering trees. The most important thing is to keep your head and judge the conditions. Stay in the car if you can't see a house nearby. The Eagle Scout would die if the conditions were seriously sub zero and there was a long walk before any residences.

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@excite.com), December 17, 2000.


Last time I had to drive in ice I was about 16. I ought not tell on myself like this but my survival gear was a short skirt and a nice set of legs :o). I went off the road several times but always got pulled out in short order. Now a days I think I'd better follow hoots advice....the legs ain't what they used to be!

-- Amanda in Mo (aseley@townsqr.com), December 17, 2000.

Good Job Hoot. As always your right on the mark. I learned the hard way as a young bozo about not having gloves, hat, ect when going out in the cold. Got a flat tire and a case of frost bite on the hands to remind me.

Kitty litter or oil dry for traction! Slid my little s-10 off the road the other morning on some Bad ice. if I'd have had some kitty litter I probably could have driven out, as I only had 2 wheels on the shoulder. Not a tree or a pole around so my come along & chain wasn't doing me a bit of good.

I Keep enough stuff to survive (including peanut shells!) in the truck now a days. $3.00 of kitty litter could have saved me the $40.00 it cost to pull my back on the road tho. John

-- John in S IN (jsmengel@hotmail.com), December 17, 2000.


Boy, can I relate to the cheerios under the seats, and crackers, and candy, and french fries, a chicken nugget or two, half drank juices... Usually a saddle, riding gloves, horse blanket. What I usually keep as food storage in there in case of emergency are those cheese and crackers and sausage rolls that come in christmas gift packs that aren't really that bad tasting, but not something I'd choose myself. I usually have a bag of salt, too. Mostly I just stay home, though. Thankfully I have the circumstances to do that. I have no compelling reason to leave the house during bad weather.

-- Epona (crystalepona2000@yahoo.com), December 17, 2000.


Boy I know what your talking about. I had to drive 3 miles to the store the other night to get a pack of Camels, it was cold, about 42 degrees and raining, but I carry an old Carhart jacket and extra gloves, a high lift jack and a few sections of chain.

-- Hendo (redgate@echoweb.net), December 17, 2000.

Hey Hoot, thanks for the reminders. Young people (and some of us old ones), think that there's no way we'll be the ones sittin in a ditch. Everyone is right on about checking your tail pipe, if you're going to stay in your car. I had a friend who lost a son this way. He got caught in a blizzard, stayed in his car with it running, and died from the fumes getting in his car. Be careful all.

-- Annie (mistletoe@earthlink.net), December 18, 2000.

An update! While goin to the bank [to cash in all my GOLD DUST] passed a vacant house with two long haired Shetland [?] ponys in back. They were in the middle of a big back yard confined to a small circular pen about 50 feet across. No shelter, No feed, No water and the snow is blowing some and those poor creatures are out in the elements of this wicked weather. Nobody seems to know who owns'm. The Humane Society cant do anything about'm cuz they are "hoof'd" animanls and they don't have authority ov'em. The Sheriffs's Dept won't do anything cept set in the office and act tough. Neighbors have been water'n'm but have no hay for feed. Neighbors don't know who owns'm either. They were jsut there one day without anybody being seen droppin'm off. I emailed the t.v. station and told'm about the horrible conditions those poor animals are enduring. I haven't heard from'm yet and don't know if they plan on filmin it or not. We're also checkin on another neighbor who has horses, to see if'n he will take some hay to those animals. The weather is too nasty now to let livestock suffer. Please--If you know of anybody that's mistreatin their animals this way--do something about it. I don't know how this is gonna turn out but we'll keep at it until something is done. hoot. Luke 6:31

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), December 18, 2000.

Hoot, Hooved Animals Humane Society is based in Woodstock, Illinois. You could report this case to them. Their phone number is 815-337-5563.

Here is a page on the subject from their website: How do I report a case of suspected neglect or abuse?. If that link doesn't work, this is the web address: http://www.hahs.org/qanda/report_neglect.html

-- Joy Froelich (dragnfly@chorus.net), December 18, 2000.


Followup to the pony situation. The animal control officer [dog catcher] came and had a "look see" at the ponys. Told a neighbor they would be gone before evening to a warm shelter with plenty of feed and water. The owner/s would be ticket'd too! Heavy fines would be levey'd on the owners. Glad it was settled then--the wind is just blowin a gale outside now with snow comin down. Not a fit night to be out for man nor beast. I went by the place about 2:30 pm and the little dudes were already gone. Thanks Joy for the info! Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), December 18, 2000.


Fortunately we don't have much cold weather, but we are having more winter this year so you never know. I read it's a good idea to keep a coffee can to burn your candle in. Would probably generate a little warmth. Anyhow, everyone take care in bad weather.

-- connie in NM (karrelandconnie@juno.com), December 18, 2000.

Hoot Them girls were lucky you came along. Around here it snows maybe 1-3 times a year. And you can be sure that over 100 accidents will happen. In my Dodge Dakota I keep a surival kit in a old ammo can. These 50 calibur cans are waterproof and Cheap. I paid $3.95 for mine. I agree matches (I keep waterproof strike anywhere) Candles, flashlight with fresh batteries, p-nuts and a ARK-II kit which has water in packs and high energy food for 3 for 24 hours. Usually 2 bottles of gatorade. (you know gatorade is hard to freeze and taste good hot or cold). Those Triox bars or magnesium bars will start a fire even if the wood is wet. Stay in the vehicle if you can but if your prepared with proper gear and have "daylight" maybe that trek would be worth it. I once had to walk 6 miles to get to a phone. Brrr after that I swore Never again would I be with out a 4X4. Bought my first one 10 days later. Hey if you want an idea how to get a lot in a small place, ask any parent of a 6 year old.

Keep warm, safe and have a very Merry Christmas.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), December 19, 2000.


For the truck, I use the ammo cans behind the seat. But old diaper bags with all of those zippered and velcro'd pockets make great storage for the trunk of the car - they're just a little too bulky to put behind the seat in the cab.

When I used to travel in the cold / bad weather, I also made sure I kept the come-a-long, a tow strap, 2 or 3 lengths of chain, a small single bit axe, a surplus army folding shovel, 50 foot of parachute cord, 2 flares, a spot light that would plug into the lighter socket, and a tarp or two. And at least 1 pair of extra heavy duty work gloves.

If I knew I was going to be in REALLY bad weather / snow / ice, I'd keep a real shovel in the back as well, along with an extra 5 or 10 gallons of fuel.

And if you can find 'em, Wal Mart sells these mini rechargable flash lights that plug into your lighter socket - always a full charge. They sell for $4.95 a pop, and mine has proven mighty useful already!

-- Eric in TN (eric_m_stone@yahoo.com), December 21, 2000.


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