3S and anyone else who needs the info, to help keep foods in freezers frozen during power outages:
Fill 2 liter bottles with water (or whatever containers you have on hand that will fit) put them into the freezers NOW to freeze solid. If power gets cut off these containers will act as "ice" and help keep the freezer cold much longer than otherwise.
If it's an extended outage and the temps are cold enough, and you notice the freezers/frig is warming up, remove the contents and store in boxes out in the cold.
Yes, sort of "common sense" ideas, but you'd be surprised at how often it slips folks minds to do so simply because we're so used to modern appliances.
The winter we moved into this house we had the ice storm from hades hit..........right at xmas (so of course frig and freezer were full) The water jugs helped for a couple of days. Then Fred looked at me like I was insane because I hunted all over the house for empty boxes..........then put everything out onto the enclosed back porch/family room that is unheated. We didn't lose a thing.
Nice thing about the water jug method, keeping them in a freezer that is not otherwise full makes it work more efficiently and cheaper, plus should you need it......you have extra drinkable water on hand.
I realize often it seems storms like these are as much hype as anything else. Personally, I'd rather be ridiculously over prepared, than be sitting in the middle of one badly needing something that there was no way to get. Seems around here, storms (of any kind) that get poo pooed kick our rears and catch people unprepared. So I'd rather have a lot of hype and have the storm weaken or miss, than them telling me ohhh, nothing to worry about folks.........and be stuck in my house for a few weeks.
Another thing I do; organize all emergency supplies (flashlights, candles, lanterns, emergency radios ect) where you can reach them easily and in the
dark. We're really not supposed to see anything, I don't think, from this storm but it reminded me I needed to do that again as all the sorting of the giant hoard and prepping for the yard sale got everything moved around and it was no longer easy to get to. All of mine is right outside the kitchen door on shelves out on the enclosed backporch/family room. I don't have to look for anything. Also, there are several candles in the kitchen with matches and those long candle lighters and flash lights. These are also strategically placed through out the house. We can be caught in any room suddenly without power and have light to see by in under 30 secs. (this is NICE by the way during night power outages) Those battery powered xmas candles make great lighting for children's rooms or for children to carry to see as they walk around the house at night. (and they're cheap)
If for any reason you want/need to use a propane stove to heat the inside,
please crack a window about an inch in the room for
proper ventilation. (better not to try heating that way though) There is a propane heater that can be safely used inside without venting, but you have to look for it.
I added the heating info because for some this storm is supposed to mix with a winter storm, which can mean snow and ice.
This is just a few things that helped us.
Hugs