Snowmageddon Aftermath

Lyra · #1 02/12/10, 09:59 AM

I admit that this massive storm has changed my perspective on homesteading. I am now questioning my ambitious plans to move far out to the country. Food, water, heat, etc. is taken care of but I am taking into account the necessity for basic services. For instance, if there was an emergency how long would it take to reach a hospital or could I even get to one?

Is anyone else that is suffering through 3+ (and counting) feet of snow questioning their current or future decisions towards homesteading?

Anyone possibly changing any current way that they prep now? For instance, in this area greenhouses are collapsing under the weight of the snow.

omnicat · #2 02/12/10, 10:09 AM

If I actually had an emergency during a situation like this, that would be extremely bad luck.

But it would not change my mind about living rurally. It might be one thing on the "downside" - but it certainly is not enough weight to tip the scales. I love too many other things about living rurally to change my mind based on a fear of having a health crisis during an unlikely inopportune moment. And if this kind of snow happens once every several decades (as is the case for a lot of areas that got whomped), that is really a very very low risk.

I might get struck by lightning, too. But I'm not going to live my life in fear of it.

SFM in KY · #3 02/12/10, 10:17 AM

All I can tell you is that people do learn to deal with it. The ranch where I was raised wa 60 miles from the nearest town with a hospital and even with 4 x 4s ... with chains ... and snowmobiles there are times that you don't get out. I suspect in an emergency they would now try to get to the person with a helicopter. It was an issue ... but I can't think of anyone who died during the 50-some years my parents lived there on the ranch because they could not get to a hospital.

I have written some in my blog about the winters in Montana, both the ones I remember as a child and young woman as well as later, when I moved back to a remote ranch for a couple of years before moving to Kentucky. http://kaleidoscopefarm.blogspot.com...n-and-now.html

I doubt you would have that kind of issue in PA as I can't imagine anywhere that far "east" being that many miles from a hospital ... or as far from an airfield/ med helicopter service.

As for snowloads I would guess that for people in "snow country" the best option would be to build for the highest expected snowload ... and then add more, just in case. In Montana, we did see drifts that were more than 6 or 8 feet deep in places from some of the really serious 3-day blizzards but again, I don't recall roofs going down under snowloads ever unless it was an old building.

Wolf mom · #4 02/12/10, 10:26 AM

Start reading the Emergency and Survival Prepardness Forum here.

Emergency and prepardness is not only for 3' of snow, but also if you loose your income, become ill, etc.

Good thing this happened to you before you went any further along the path of the homesteading life.

3' of snow is not a lot in various parts of the country. It's a problem in your area because it's an unusual occurance. Lots of people don't have a city safety net and get along fine.

If I call 911, it takes 20 minutes minimum - usually longer - for the sheriff to arrive. You just learn to adapt, have back-up, and become more self-sufficient. Not a thing to worry over.

7thswan · #5 02/12/10, 10:32 AM

That's what Homesteading is all about. Being able to provide yourself with the basic needs. An emergency like needing a Hospital can happen at anytime, but by what's the odds of that. When our power went out last week I sat in the quiteness and thought about the things that we really need here- a non electric fan for the woodstove and what about the elec. fence for the cows. Course we have a couple of generators for longer term use. Even the dogs noticed the quietness, it was actualy nice.

Bonnie L · #6 02/12/10, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyra

For instance, if there was an emergency how long would it take to reach a hospital or could I even get to one?

That's was something we talked about before moving to the boonies. My dh had heart surgery 5 years before we moved here. We realized that if he had heart problems during a major snow storm, it could be a death sentence.

We chose country life. The past 10 years haven't been accident free, but we were able to reach help when needed. There may come the day we won't be able to reach help, but our life here has been grand!

ronbre · #7 02/12/10, 11:15 AM

I live 25 miles from the nearest hospital and 45 miles from the one i would choose to go to and did for my child's birth in a snowstorm....i would never be concerned about the hospital situation..you are more likely to reach it from a rural location in the winter than from a congested town with clogged roads.

our roads in our rural area ..way out..are always plowed within a few hours of the end of any storms..unless it is on a Sunday..as they don't plow here on sunday even in town.

i have lived rural 39 years and have never had the problems that they have in the cities..seldom is our power out more than 12 to 18 hours at a time..and if it is..we have wood heat and water avail.

we always keep enough spare food to last us several weeks..so that is also not a problem..in town if you don't..the runs on the stores can leave you without food anyway.

AnnieinBC · #8 02/12/10, 11:39 AM

We live 40 minutes from town (with a small hospital). As others have mentioned, distance from medical help in case of emergencies is something that needs to be thought of, and planned for (as much as possible) when thinking of moving out to the boonies.

We have quite a few First Aid Supplies here at home. We keep the box in an easy to access spot. We keep a cane on each of our house levels, just in case! First Aid courses are a bonus.

We can handle the amount of snow we get (often 4 feet). -40C temperatures in winter do happen sometimes.

In Winter time, we are Very Careful of what doing necessary outside work. And we try to plan ahead...eg. keep a ladder close to the greenhouse so we can get the snow off the roof in wintertime.

Planning, using common sense and only doing what is absolutely necessary in cold temperatures are Vital. If I'm home alone and need to work outside, I keep da Wolf by my side.

Medical emergencies can happen anywhere, in town or out in the country. By and large, I'd rather die in my Valley, thanks. The daily joy I get from living here far outweighs the risk of dying....

o&itw · #9 02/12/10, 11:51 AM

I have seen several comments about roofs, etc. collapsing under the snow loads. Properly engineered roofs are designed to account for a normal snow loads plus some extra in the area the building was constructed. Therefore a roof in southern Indiana was not built to the specs of a roof in the uper pennisula of Michigan. Ususally the roofs of houses built in high snow areas, are not only built heavier, but ususally kept to a higher pitch.

Some of the people who live up North do not understand all the problems with collapsing roofs, but roofs in Dallas are not designed for a 2 foot snow load.

Lyra · #10 02/12/10, 01:16 PM

For my situation, I am definately re-evaluating my future plans since I will be doing everything on my own and I am a relative newbie. There are areas of PA that can be very rugged and remote. As much as I want to be self-sufficient, I need to face the facts that not every small town will do.

For the last two years Mother Nature has proven to be a force, challenge, and teacher. I am scrapping my original plans for homesteading and starting from scratch. Even my style of gardening is going to do another 180.

And o&itw...even the roofs here were never meant to hold over 3 feet of snow!!!

upnorthlady · #11 02/12/10, 02:34 PM

Lyra, not to be offensive or anything, but if you are worried about snow and weather and living 10 minutes away from medical facilities, then you are probably not cut out to be a homesteader in the first place. We homesteaders are a hardy, independent, self sufficient bunch of folks who pride ourselves in handling everything that comes our way! I should worry about snow??? Snow on my roof??? That's what shovels and roof rakes are for! If you think you have too much snow on your roof, then use one of those long handled roof rakes to get a lot of it down. As for living close to town just because of proximity to medical facilities, I don't want to live that close to town! The beauty and serenity of the rural life far outweighs any advantages of living in town. Here I can grow all of my own food and I know what's in it. My pantry and freezer are well stocked, and next season I hope to have a root cellar dug, too. True homesteaders rejoice in the lifestyle that is far from any kind of urban living. Last few days I felt sorry for all those poor people who had to get in their cars and drive to the grocery store to buy supplies before the storm hit. What were they buying? Store-bought bread (ugh), bags of salt (??? this is a priority??), skimpy little snow shovels (they really needed to buy a good manure or grain shovel for moving heavy snow, not those flat little skimpy things), a few groceries (poor folks, can't have a garden in town, ya know, and no time to do anything like canning - got to have that high dollar town job).

Real homesteaders have generators with enough gasoline in supply, pantries and cellars full of food put by, vehicles with 4 wd and/or chains, proper tools, a good wood supply, and more than enough to do if they get snowed in! I should worry about the weather? I figure I can deal with anything. If I have a heart attack and I'm 45 minutes from town, that's a chance I'll take. I live 30 minutes (and that's driving 65 mph on dry pavement) from the nearest small town with limited facilities but I'm sure not gonna give up a great life in the country worrying about my chances of getting to a hospital in an emergency. Things can happen anywhere at any time.................I could be driving on vacation in the Nevada desert and have a heart attack on the road. Should I worry about that? I'll take my pure, old fashioned, wonderful homesteading lifestyle with good country neighbors, plenty of animals and wildlife and birds and natural beauty any day ............and pity those poor people in the cities! (who usually don't have anything better to do than hang out at the mall or watch tv on their big flat screen tv's and then have to go to the gym for exercise). Anyway, you get the point - homesteaders don't think like city folks.

anniew · #12 02/12/10, 02:51 PM

Lyra,
Maybe you are cut out for rural homesteading and maybe not, but I think there have been many posts about those who homestead in an urban area also, so don't get discouraged.
I moved to NE PA when I was 50, not knowing a single person in the area. The first winter there was a blizzard where I was stuck (couldn't get out of the driveway and no one could help as everything required a front end loader to remove so much deep heavy snow) from a Fri. night until Thurs. Even though I live right on a paved major road, I couldn't get my car out of the driveway, but I didn't lack anything. Now at 67 I'm still here, wishing I was even more rural. I have 10 acres, gardens and about 65 assorted poultry, plus beginning in rabbits. I live about 6 miles from a hospital that I wouldn't want to go to if I needed one...it is a rural hospital that kills people!
Don't be afraid to live. You only get one chance. However, if you don't feel you want to go totally rural, I'm sure you can find some areas where you will enjoy homesteading values.

If you decide you want to go more rural, you will gradually know what supplies you will need to have on hand to weather almost any storm (or other emergency), and will find that you can depend on yourself and possibly a few neighbors.

Lyra · #13 02/12/10, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upnorthlady

True homesteaders rejoice in the lifestyle that is far from any kind of urban living.

You can't place homesteaders into one stereotypical box. There are plenty of homesteaders who live in cities and are entirely self-sufficient.

It isn't just about the hospitals. I have realized that I want to have social interaction with something more than farm animals. I want to be part of a community. This storm has made me realize that I want to be in an area that isn't cut off from the rest of the world. I really don't see anything wrong with wanting to upgrade my homesteading plans.

tamsam · #14 02/12/10, 03:08 PM

I would rather be out here here in the boonies than in town. The squads here have 4wd and have gone past here when others couldn't get out. Cities tend to get side streets plugged until the storms are past. We plan ahead for power outages even in summer. We don't need elect for heat but does make it easier to use fans when it is on. Good luck in what you decide to do. Sam

bubbahead · #15 02/12/10, 03:09 PM

upnorthlady, Lyra simply said she is going to rethink her homesteading plans. I think it's good that the storm had a positive impact. I get the idea that she is going to go into it with a better mind of just how hard it will be, and is going to make changes so that it WILL be possible. She isn't giving up....just altering the plan. After all, isn't being prepared, having knowledge, and a good dose of reality all part of being a REAL homesteader?

Be careful up there on that homesteader high horse.

Curtis B · #16 02/12/10, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upnorthlady

poor people in the cities! (who usually don't have anything better to do than hang out at the mall or watch tv on their big flat screen tv's and then have to go to the gym for exercise). Anyway, you get the point - homesteaders don't think like city folks.

I know I don't have anything to add to the tread, but I had to laugh at this. I have to say the same thing anytime someone asks me about watching TV shows. I think I told people this to 10 people on Monday after the Super Bowl.

Lyra · #17 02/12/10, 03:28 PM

Thanks for the posts.

I really didn't want this to become a country vs. city thread. I only wanted to know if there were others, like myself, that were affected by the storm of the century on a deeper level. That this monstrosity of weather had caused others to question themselves.

upnorthlady · #18 02/12/10, 03:36 PM

.

"It isn't just about the hospitals. I have realized that I want to have social interaction with something more than farm animals. I want to be part of a community. This storm has made me realize that I want to be in an area that isn't cut off from the rest of the world." quote from Lyra

Most country people aren't cut off from the rest of the social world. On the contrary - country people seem to have more friends and more to do than most city folks. I have relatives in the city in various states, and they don't even know who their next door neighbors are! Out here, country neighbors depend on each other. I am personally also involved in volunteer work in my community, there are church groups, card playing clubs, and plenty of neighborhood get togethers. There are also community suppers, festivals, local clubs and groups to join, etc. etc. We don't just socialize with our animals, ya know! When we do go into town, chances are we meet someone we know. Guess I don't have much of an idea what an "urban homesteader" would be, but I sure do know what country folks are like! For the most part, I think we are much more sociable than our city counterparts. For the fellow who thought I was on a highhorse about homesteading, well ........maybe I am a little too enthusiastic about my love for homesteading, but it's hard to tone down when I have such a love of the lifestyle! I hope Lyra does eventually become a homesteader - and I hope she loves it as much as I do! To quote a famous movie title: "It's a Wonderful Life" !!

MaineFarmMom · #19 02/12/10, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyra

For the last two years Mother Nature has proven to be a force, challenge, and teacher. I am scrapping my original plans for homesteading and starting from scratch. Even my style of gardening is going to do another 180.

This weather is hard on a lot of people right now but the lessons are invaluable in the long run. It would be horrible to realize after buying a rural place that you've made a serious mistake. There are huge degrees of difference in real homesteading. How boring it would be if we did everything the same way.

For what it's worth, I've been gardening for 25 years. My gardening style changes as necessary. What are you thinking of doing now?

I've been thinking about how places like Texas might have to adapt to snow. Is this a freak year? Maybe, maybe not. I wouldn't have thought Texas would have more snow than Maine! I think it's important that everyone be aware that the way we homestead today might not always be possible or logical. We need to be able to adjust and adapt.

seedspreader · #20 02/12/10, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyra

You can't place homesteaders into one stereotypical box. There are plenty of homesteaders who live in cities and are entirely self-sufficient.

It isn't just about the hospitals. I have realized that I want to have social interaction with something more than farm animals. I want to be part of a community. This storm has made me realize that I want to be in an area that isn't cut off from the rest of the world. I really don't see anything wrong with wanting to upgrade my homesteading plans.

I think you would be perfect for something like we have... 2 - 5 acres at the edge of a small borough. You can have the best of both worlds. As a single person, you can do everything you need to on 2 - 5 acres.