Preparedness for when

mardatha

Just got this on CNN:
QUOTE:
The unrelenting snow has made life a nightmare for some motorists in Kentucky.
A handful of people have been stuck for up to 12 hours on a frozen, 14-mile stretch of Interstate 75 running through Rockcastle County, Kentucky State Police Capt. David Jude said
"It's truck after truck after truck and cars sliding off the roadway," Jude said. "We're going car to car now to get people off the road."
It's not clear how many people have been affected, but pictures on social media show dozens of cars and trucks stuck on the highway.
Among them is Caitlin Centner, a reporter for CNN affiliate WKYT.
She's been on the highway since 5:30 p.m. Friday and had "not moved a single inch since" when she spoke to CNN early Saturday morning.
Centner said she can see more than 100 cars for about a half-mile ahead of her. People nearby are running out of gas, and many have been without food and water for a long time. ENDQUOTE

pineapple

Being a woman of a certain age my first thought is what if you need a pee?
Or rather 'what about when you need a pee'. :eek:

Frugalsod

mardatha wrote: »

Just got this on CNN:
QUOTE:
The unrelenting snow has made life a nightmare for some motorists in Kentucky.
A handful of people have been stuck for up to 12 hours on a frozen, 14-mile stretch of Interstate 75 running through Rockcastle County, Kentucky State Police Capt. David Jude said
"It's truck after truck after truck and cars sliding off the roadway," Jude said. "We're going car to car now to get people off the road."
It's not clear how many people have been affected, but pictures on social media show dozens of cars and trucks stuck on the highway.
Among them is Caitlin Centner, a reporter for CNN affiliate WKYT.
She's been on the highway since 5:30 p.m. Friday and had "not moved a single inch since" when she spoke to CNN early Saturday morning.
Centner said she can see more than 100 cars for about a half-mile ahead of her. People nearby are running out of gas, and many have been without food and water for a long time. ENDQUOTE

If you live in an area where such weather happens then to go out unprepared is foolish. At the very least you should make sure that the vehicle is well maintained and stocked. The last thing you want is a fault leaving you stranded somewhere.

Next you need to keep a flask of hot water, then you can make tea, coffee, hot chocolate or even rehydrate a meal as necessary should you get stranded. Take a book or kindle to read to keep you calm.

Plenty of blankets or other insulation to keep you warm in the car without the need to run the engine. Seasonal appropriate clothing including snowshoes for emergency and then a get home bag should you have to abandon the vehicle.

Fortunately such events are rare and can be prepped for if you think it through.

nuatha

VJsmum wrote: »

So, the American blizzard.

Many states affected,millions told not to go out from Friday night through to Monday morning. The shops have been stripped bare..


Would you cope?

To be honest, I would love an excuse not to go out over a weekend, I wouldn't need to rush out for anything either. But I don't know many, not on here obvs , who could say the same. Including the two very elderly people in my life, despite my nagging.

I could cope here no problem at all. I could get to MiLs on foot from here if need be (I suspect her carers wouldn't be able to make it) and I have sufficient supplies there that there wouldn't be an issue. However Herself wouldn't make it on foot (at least not safely and easily)

mardatha wrote: »

All public transport is off - that means more eejits on the roads who can't drive to the conditons. Going to be messy ...

There'll be a lot of people who only have access to public transport.
A comment Daz made upthread sprung to mind when I heard the traffic and travel report on the radio. All planes to the Eastern seaboard of the USA are likely to be cancelled - how would you cope stuck in an airport for 3 days? No way of getting back to whereever you had been staying because all public transport is closed down.

Mojoworking

Sorry if this is a silly question but do you think that the bad weather in America will make it here? I'm sure last year each time they had snow us on the west side of the UK got lots of rain. Not a fan of cold and rain here prefer cold and dry. Hope all are well.

Really enjoyed the different views on religion. I can honestly say I want to believe. I live in a poor inner city area and the only people who are trying to deal with the problems that go with this - Street drinking prostitution drugs high proportion of asylum seekers high unemployment - is the church. The council have had lots of funding cuts. It seems the church are the only people who are trying to help. Hope that makes sense

[Deleted User]

Hard_Up_Hester wrote: »

b) I get all of Bob's jokes!

Including the TBBT references?

Mojisola

VJsmum wrote: »

So, the American blizzard.

Many states affected,millions told not to go out from Friday night through to Monday morning.

In this situation, what happens to all the people who normally have carers calling daily to provide essential care?

Frugalsod

nuatha wrote: »

There'll be a lot of people who only have access to public transport.
A comment Daz made upthread sprung to mind when I heard the traffic and travel report on the radio. All planes to the Eastern seaboard of the USA are likely to be cancelled - how would you cope stuck in an airport for 3 days? No way of getting back to whereever you had been staying because all public transport is closed down.

I think you might cope better than you would imagine. It would have bars and restaurants open, there are plenty of toilets and nowadays more power points for recharging devices, so that you can on inspection prove that they work. So you could keep yourself amused with a phone, iPad or Kindle.

Then while most of your clothes might be packed and checked in you could still have extra clothes in your carry on or a jacket like this

http://www.stuffa.co.uk/shop/womens/stuffa-one-f/

So sleeping might be an issue but you will have most things pretty close by. It would be the staff who could have the most problems as they might not have spare clothing if snowed in.

fuddle

Mojisola wrote: »

In this situation, what happens to all the people who normally have carers calling daily to provide essential care?

In my experience as care coordinator working for a private company whose majority of work came from social service packages I can say that the care company takes on the commitment for the care. The buck stops with the care company and in actual fact the care coordinator. We have to wave magic wands in any situation, coming up with solutions in order not to fail our people who need care or be reported for leaving a vulnerable person without care.

That said, in my experience, carers are hardy folk who really do care for the people they build a rapport with and will try their very best to not let anyone down. if that fails office staff will be on the ground propping up. In dire circumstances a care coordinator has to give priority of need etc etc. I have to also say that because of the nature of the job a care company rarely has bank staff who can step in. Regularly office staff who work full time will be out delivering care of an evening and weekend too.

I was care coordinator for 6 months. It is a thankless task where you never can do your very best because circumstances out of your control mean that you have to opt for best possible scenario, constantly.

So in answer to your qustion mojisola as far as I can make out there will be very little can be done for those relying on care in cut off remote places without friends, family and neighbourly support. There is no back up. The buck stops with the care coordinator who will be in a very large pile of stress in a situation that she/he can't do anything about. I never had a situation as bad as not meeting care needs but if I did I would be calling next of kin who could be anywhere. That's it. Possibly mergency services... not because I think they can help but because I have a responsibility to show that I have tried to cover the company in case of action arising from the situation. It's awful isn't it? Thankfully nuatha can get to his family member on foot. So many have no one.

That job was an eye opener. Our social care system is hanging on by a thread.

nuatha

Mojoworking wrote: »

Sorry if this is a silly question but do you think that the bad weather in America will make it here? I'm sure last year each time they had snow us on the west side of the UK got lots of rain. Not a fan of cold and rain here prefer cold and dry. Hope all are well.

The Met Office have already issued weather warnings. Basically we're expected to get a lot of rain along the West coast where the ground is still sodden, so there is danger of more flooding, landslips etc.

Mojisola wrote: »

In this situation, what happens to all the people who normally have carers calling daily to provide essential care?

Fuddle gives a more detailed answer. Care companies will do their best to get carers out to those who need it, probably re-tasking carers to clients nearer their homes. However carers have a legal duty not to put their own safety at risk (as do all employees). Clients needing more specialised care or who's lives are at risk may well be moved into hospitals or care homes - presuming the local authority cutbacks haven't removed this element of emergency planning yet. As Fuddle said, thin threads.

Frugalsod wrote: »

I think you might cope better than you would imagine. It would have bars and restaurants open, there are plenty of toilets and nowadays more power points for recharging devices, so that you can on inspection prove that they work. So you could keep yourself amused with a phone, iPad or Kindle.

There's a flaw in your assumptions. Modern business practise has moved from stockholding to a Just In Time model. Those bars and restaurants will rely on daily or several times daily deliveries. The increased numbers of people within the airport will deplete supplies faster.
Checked luggage may well be returned to passengers, as airlines will try to find hotel accommodation.
Assuming no disruption to mains services you are correct regarding power and toilets. Spare clothing will provide insulation, perhaps not as tidily as a sleeping bag, but some people will be more adaptable and prepared than others - some will find it difficult (some find an airport and flying stressful enough when everything goes smoothly)