Snowpocalypse 2041, the Aftermath: Smug Advice From Northern States, the Inappropriateness Thereof

[bheansidhe]

Thanks, Wisconsin, but I have looked at your Winter Emergency Car Kit and I have to say that, in 30 years of living in a hurricane zone and 12 years of Atlanta commuting, I have never needed most of those things, and I have needed several things you left off, because I assure you: I have only encountered ice-jam once, but I have spent many, MANY

Comments

[marlatiara]

I have considered ordering this in the past: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003BEDUS6

I think every woman probably needs one - or a competing brand - in her emergency kit.

[bheansidhe]

Also a good idea. However, that device requires that you use it outside the car. I've used The Plastic Cup Solution when I'm in the middle lane of gridlock, have no way to safely open my door or make it to the side of the road, and no visual privacy on the side of the road even if I could make it there.

Also, no one turns a hair if you have an empty plastic cup rolling around under your seat.

Also, in case I need to make this clear? I ALWAYS REPLACE THE CUP WITH A NEW ONE, AFTER.

[rowanryder]

excellent list; when we lived in the far north of Scotland, I developed a similar one. Because I'm a bit of a worrier, I tended to have extras on one or two things, which was a sure way of keeping the weather at bay...

[suibhne_geilt]

Well, being a male Wisconsinite, the Wisconsin kit works fine for me... Plan for the risks you have, not the risks you want, right?

[bheansidhe]

Icon win.

[reedrover]

actual printed state map

That goes right with the list of emergency phone numbers for when the [smart] phone is dead.

Given that I live in a rural enough area to get mice in my car on a regular basis, I recommend that most of this (especially food and sanitary supplies!) be put in a seal-able tote rather than just plastic bags.

Also - thanks for posting. I was wondering if you were ok.

[reedrover]

The plastic bags are to hold soiled napkins and used toilet items if necessary - I've never had a problem with just knotting them tight.

I do not have mice in my car. But "a couple gallon sized ziploc bags" is an excellent addition.

I got off really easy - only 4 hours to make my 1-hour commute. But I left early and commute against the main flow(s) of traffic. :-)

[bheansidhe]

Oops. That was me. :-)

[10dimensions]

I saw a picture on fb that someone snapped out of their car window of someone next to them squatting outside their driver-side door peeing in the middle of the stopped traffic.

[bheansidhe]

Why am I even surprised by this?