1 Inch of ice possible for some, What to expect!

[Snowman]

Some area's of Tennessee look to get around 1 inch of ice possible. Here is a map from NWS Nashville about thier thoughts on possible accumulations of ice.



Below is a story of what happened in 2007 in Oklahoma when they received three quarters of an inch.

Oklahoma under nearly one inch of ice
Posted: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 2:41 PM

By Don Teague, NBC News Correspondent
 
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – During ice storms, destruction rains down on neighborhoods one drop at a time. For hours, nothing seems wrong. One drop falls and freezes. The next drop follows, until a light glaze coats tree limbs and parked cars. 

For a while, the roads seem immune to the ice, helped by the earth’s radiant heat. But in an instant, it all changes. Highway overpasses go from simply wet to ice sheets in a matter of seconds. There are traffic accidents, hundreds of them, almost simultaneously throughout the region. Emergency crews become overwhelmed.

Still the drops keep falling, and piling up. Here in Oklahoma, three quarters of an inch of ice has coated everything. It’s more weight than trees can handle, so their limbs snap, sending hundreds of pounds of wood and ice crashing to the ground.

BANG!

It sounds like gunfire.

BANG!

One branch.

BANG!

Then another.

A slow motion disaster, as this tree takes out a power line and that tree crushes a car.

I stood with a man in Norman, Oklahoma, as he watched the giant red oak tree in his front yard destroy itself - and his roof - one branch at a time. It took hours.

In Oklahoma, more than half a million people are suffering through a cold rain without electricity. Officials here say it’s the worst blackout in the state’s history. For thousands in this state it will be more than a week before power is back on.

With temperatures back above freezing in Oklahoma, the ice has begun to melt, but the cleanup here will take weeks.

Meanwhile, the storm continues moving north and east, bringing even more destruction to some areas – one drop at a time.

Residents in northwest tennessee need to be prepared for the worst case. There is going to be alot of moisture with this system unlike the last system that did not materialize.

If anyone else has any advice for those that look to be hit, please post it here. Past experiences.

[Sarah]

Thank you for posting this. I am in Clarksville and have been preparing (and telling those near me to prepare) since yesterday.

A few suggestions...

Fill jugs/pitchers with water for the chance that pipes freeze, or your well water pump no longer works. We keep a few empty milk jugs and 2 liter soda bottles on hand just in case. This is helpful if you have an infant on formula, or an indoor pet.

Make ice. It seems silly to make ice in an ice storm, but not only does it provide an extra source of clean water, but you can keep perishables cold if your power is out for too long.
(Back in the ice storm of 94, my parents just put stuff on the back porch since the temps were below freezing  )

If you have young children, pack your diaper bag with everything you might need, in case you must leave your home. Its also easier than stumbling through a dark house in the middle of the night looking for what junior might be wailing for. Diapers, wipies, medicines, clothing, blankets, formula, toys. Be sure to pack extra hats and mittens as well.

Batteries are always high on the list, but did you know you can get packs for $1 at the dollar tree? They may not last as long as those other commercial brands, but you can buy several packs for less than what a brand name pack of 1 costs.


Also:
Check on the elderly. Make sure they have what they need to stay warm and fed, have someone with them who can care for them, or take them somewhere that they will be safe.
Put vehicles in garages
Put pets indoors (obviously)
If you are using firewood, make a stack near to the house. Dont want to slip and slide carrying heavy logs!

If I think of more, I will post

[StormNine]

Great Advice.

NWS Louisville has pretty good post to.

[lavette]

That is excellent advice!
I have family members in Springfield, TN with a newborn. I called and told them to jug plenty of water for formula. Thank you for the tips.

[Nashville_wx]

You can see here as posted above what 20 miles NS make.

[McKinley Fairbanks]

Fill jugs/pitchers with water for the chance that pipes freeze, or your well water pump no longer works. We keep a few empty milk jugs and 2 liter soda bottles on hand just in case. This is helpful if you have an infant on formula, or an indoor pet.

Fill your bathtub with water.  We live in the country and have a pump from our well and have no water if power is out. You can flush your toilet by filling tank from this supply. If you have city water you'll be OK as they usually have ER power for the pumps. We built our house with the 93' ice storm in mind.  Natural gas for cooking and a big generator that can power the furnace. Ice storms are BADDDDDDD! Also before this thing hits get your laundry done.  If the worse doesn't happen then your laundry's done.  If it does, you have clean clothes for a couple of days.  Important if you have little people.

[Cameron K.]

I don't think we'll have to worry about pipes freezing, but for folks like you who need electricity to pump water that's different. I heard of the bath tub I idea, it good thinking I'll say. 


Another thing that should be stressed is that folks should turn the freezer and fridge temps as cold as they can. Last thing you want is the food to spoil if the power is out for several days.

[Susan in Macon]

Make sure your freezer is as full as possible... and cover with blankets.  I lost everything in my deep freezer last Feb when the power was out for 3 days.