Blizzard-Ice Storm January 23-26, 2026

[IdahoRanger]

I forgot where is he again?

One of the biggest problems is if the grid goes down for a long period of time is there's no fuel because gas stations are all closed and the pumps won't run. It's great if your Gen runs on NG but many are gas or LP which is hard to store large quantities of. The house we built in AR had a transfer switch all set up to run the whole house but I was limited to a 500 gallon LP underground tank. There were only a few companies who delivered and when you have a storm this large they can't get to everyone to top them off. I'm sure it would've been enough for about a week or two running the Gen 24/7 plus we had the wood stove but many others aren't prepared and or don't have the funds to do it. I always said if I had a choice I'd rather be without electricity in the summer because it's easier to survive that then in the sub zero temps where you have to worry about your pipes bursting too.

Chandler TX, between Dallas and Shreveport.

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[fob63]

It looks like souther MO is going to get hit good. I'm so glad we're not in Arkansas now! It looks like a good 8" of snow but they're right in the pink for ice too.

Dave,
Most likely a bit of Ice, then turning to snow. The problem around here is POOR road cleaning. For an area that has over 450K population is terrible!
The bad part is the sub-zero temps for days. That's Fahrenheit for the "Duke" folks.
Power outages too. I can run for 36 hours or so on generator but need fuel after that. I should have converted to LP.

 

[AzScorpion]

Dave,
Most likely a bit of Ice, then turning to snow. The problem around here is POOR road cleaning. For an area that has over 450K population is terrible!
The bad part is the sub-zero temps for days. That's Fahrenheit for the "Duke" folks.
Power outages too. I can run for 36 hours or so on generator but need fuel after that. I should have converted to LP.

It looks like that snow/ice line is all over the place still for that area. I agree the ARDOT doesn't really do a great job at keeping the roads clean and even several days after the storm has passed they're still bad. That was one thing I made sure to get was a dual fuel generator for lp. I got it at Tractor Supply in the summer when they had really good sales so you might want to keep an eye out through the summer for one. Stay safe (and warm) my friend!

This latest one still shows Bentonville getting almost 9".

 

[mtsoxfan]

Good luck Robert. We use to go to Binghampton every fall for the AMA outdoor nationals. It's a beautiful area but I wouldn't want to live through your winters!

Of course your boss will expect you in the next day. lol

I worked a job once, and at 6 in the morning, I got into an accident. My fault. From end stoved in, leaking radiator, but I limped in home about a mile. Called boss, didn't even ask me if I was OK. Just came right over to pick me up for work.

 

[AzScorpion]

I worked a job once, and at 6 in the morning, I got into an accident. My fault. From end stoved in, leaking radiator, but I limped in home about a mile. Called boss, didn't even ask me if I was OK. Just came right over to pick me up for work.

Man some bosses are really heartless. I always gave my employees time off when needed and when the weather was going to be really bad just left it to their discretion whether to come into work. I would've felt bad if they had got into an accident and hurt and it wasn't worth it. Luckily I had a couple good employees who no matter what the weather was they'd be there. We all had pretty much the same work ethic and sitting around at home would've driven us more crazy. lol

Reminds me of this boss.

 

[TJC]

I forgot where is he again?

One of the biggest problems is if the grid goes down for a long period of time is there's no fuel because gas stations are all closed and the pumps won't run. It's great if your Gen runs on NG but many are gas or LP which is hard to store large quantities of. The house we built in AR had a transfer switch all set up to run the whole house but I was limited to a 500 gallon LP underground tank. There were only a few companies who delivered and when you have a storm this large they can't get to everyone to top them off. I'm sure it would've been enough for about a week or two running the Gen 24/7 plus we had the wood stove but many others aren't prepared and or don't have the funds to do it. I always said if I had a choice I'd rather be without electricity in the summer because it's easier to survive that then in the sub zero temps where you have to worry about your pipes bursting too.

LP is easy. I've got a 1000 gallon tank under ground. It stores perfectly well down under! I also have natural gas, but I do not trust it to not fail when times are critical for whatever reason. My 1000 gallons of propane will power my hot water heater, and spare 60K BTU furnace just in case the power drops. Genset can run on all three, gas, LP, and natural gas.

I kept my hot water heater on LP just to keep a rotation going. I refill it about once every 5 years, but it is there for emergencies.

Here's my tank arriving. I wanted a 2500 gallon, but the Gov said "no", but I could have two 1000 gallon tanks spaced 10' a part.

 

[AzScorpion]

LP is easy. I've got a 1000 gallon tank under ground. It stores perfectly well down under! I also have natural gas, but I do not trust it to not fail when times are critical for whatever reason. My 1000 gallons of propane will power my hot water heater, and spare 60K BTU furnace just in case the power drops. Genset can run on all three, gas, KP, and natural gas.

I kept my hot water heater on LP just to keep a rotation going. I refill it about once every 5 years, but is there for emergencies.

Lp is easy if you have to space for a large tank it which many don't. When I put mine in (500 gallons) I had barely enough room for it and was within 2' of the set backs all around but it made it. Now my house back east I could've put whatever I wanted because I had 3 acres and the town I was in was didn't have as many restrictions at the time.

 

[got3fords]

I recently bought a solar powered generator and got an extra solar panel. Yeah it takes a while to charge, but it will keep the freezer cold and other essentials going. Used it only a couple times for short outages. I can also keep it charged with AC if there is power available somewhere.

 

[Grandaccess]

My wife grew up just east of there south of Corning on a 250 acre farm, 1 mile from the NY / PA line.

Her parents moved to Pulaski, NY, about 50 miles north of Syracuse 2 miles from the lake. They get massive amounts of lake effect snow this time of year. They had a cabin 20 miles east that would routinely see 15' of snow. They'd have to hike in a mile or so, and only the top of the roof would be above the snow. They'd dig down to get to the door!

Not for this South Florida boy!

I have friends in Bigflats/Horseheads he ran out of heating oil 2 weeks ago and for a few days has been using an Ele heater in his bedroom, this morning found ice floating in the dog's water bowl, if I dont hear from him I know why! he dont seem to think its an Emergency to get oil! until the power goes out this weekend because -20F is a lot worse than 30F
Love the area! and love the fishing in Pulaski, growing up my dad was stationed at Camp Drum 10th Mt/Div. snow is a way of life LOL

 

[TJC]

I also have a very nice solar oven that cooks as fast an any normal oven. I built a solar tracker to keep the oven pointed directly at the sun. I got tired of turning the oven every 20 minutes. Now I just set it on the table, insert the pots with whatever you want inside, and it will find the sun and track it until it's time to eat dinner.

We use this when camping and at home for simply changing things up a bit.

This is it cooking all by itself...doesn't use any energy or $$

The guts that let it track - really inexpensive simple design. I made the belt that goes around the 12" pulley with a spear gun rubber tubing. Used 2 cutting boards as base and another for the top.

As long as the inner circle stays in the sunlight, you're in optimal cooking zone.

The solar panel mast. I hinged the panels to allow me to determine the optimal panel angles.

The proof is in the temperature gauge. Cooking pot roast and potatoes

I have tested it in 20F temps and it still hit 350F in the dead of winter. I can stack 2 pots and cook chicken, potatoes and any veggies or biscuits all at the same time. It just works.

When it rains I have a Jet Stove (rocket stove) that will cook powered by twigs.

There are countless ways to get by if you look around.

 

[TJC]

I have friends in Bigflats/Horseheads he ran out of heating oil 2 weeks ago and for a few days has been using an Ele heater in his bedroom, this morning found ice floating in the dog's water bowl, if I dont hear from him I know why! he dont seem to think its an Emergency to get oil! until the power goes out this weekend because -20F is a lot worse than 30F
Love the area! and love the fishing in Pulaski, growing up my dad was stationed at Camp Drum 10th Mt/Div. snow is a way of life LOL

Lots of folks line ( and stand in) that river in Pulaski when the salmon are running.

 

[NotBudule2]

These storm predictions sound a
ALOT like my bedroom predictions, promises of at least 12 inches and major damage done... only to wake up to 3 inches and the roads not even covered...

 

[Grandaccess]

even just a cheap setup like a buddy heater and a 20lbs tank, that lasts 4 or 5 days cost maybe $150 total? and you can fall back to one room...
a lot of people up here have a wood stove or fireplace for Emer heating, the solar I have the Sun can keep up unless there are a few low days, makes it hard to charge Ten 145AmpHour AGM they will run my house for two days without sun, I went off grid to test last year Aug/Sept wasnt using AC or heat and 4 of those batteries did good, but whole house in the winter might be different
the other two of those batteries are running all my Ham gear
if utilities can still deliver NatGas I will still have my heat because a fire is a P.I.T.A

 

[got3fords]

I also have a very nice solar oven that cooks as fast an any normal oven. I built a solar tracker to keep the oven pointed directly at the sun. I got tired of turn the oven every 20 minutes. Now I just set it on the table install the pots with whatever you want inside, and it will find the sun and track it until it's time to eat dinner.

We use this when camping and at home for simply changing things up a bit.

This is it cooking all by itself...doesn't use any energy or $$

The guts that let it track - really inexpensive simple design. I made the belt that goes around the 12" pulley with a spear gun rubber tubing. Used 2 cutting boards as base and another for the top.

As long as the inner circle stays in the sunlight, you're in optimal cooking zone.

The solar panel mast. I hinged the panels to allow me to determine the optimal panel angles.

The proof is in the temperature gauge. Cooking pot roast and potatoes

I have tested it in 20F temps and it still hit 350F in the dead of winter. I can stack 2 pots and cook chicken, potatoes and any veggies or biscuits all at the same time. It just works.

When it rains I have a Jet Stove (rocket stove) that will cook powered by twigs.

There are countless ways to get by if you look around.

Now that is cool!

 

[got3fords]

even just a cheap setup like a buddy heater and a 20lbs tank, that lasts 4 or 5 days cost maybe $150 total? and you can fall back to one room...
a lot of people up here have a wood stove or fireplace for Emer heating, the solar I have the Sun can keep up unless there are a few low days, makes it hard to charge Ten 145AmpHour AGM they will run my house for two days without sun, I went off grid to test last year Aug/Sept wasnt using AC or heat and 4 of those batteries did good, but whole house in the winter might be different
the other two of those batteries are running all my Ham gear
if utilities can still deliver NatGas I will still have my heat because a fire is a P.I.T.A

We have a large outside propane tank that only supplies our gas logs, that we hardly ever use. So that and the woodstove, we're fine. I could also use my tailgating grill that runs off those little propane cans. Could cook on it, but it also makes a great little space heater.

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