Check in with fellowTexans

[jstl]

How are you and what do you need? I'm in the Dallas area. If I can help, I will. I'm among the lucky. By Thursday, I had heat, light, and water after some difficult days and nights.

I learned, when I had to change my pouch without light and heat, that performance of supplies (wafers and paste) goes way down in extreme cold. Getting anything to stick for more than a little while was a challenge (I usually get 5-7 days).

[To Dream a Dream]

My heart and prayers go out to all affected. The UOAA website has had articles regarding Disaster Preparedness, one written by a fellow member's experiences during a virulent wildfire. Many of the principals stated applied to any unexpected crisis.
Living out in a rural area, I have learned to improvise during power outages. Despite our now being blessed with a winco generator (although even that is of temporary use in an extended failure), I still keep jugs (cat litter containers) of water on two levels for toilet flushing. (And yes, in the past, I have used a mild household cleaner in the bowl to create a chemical commode. Just avoid splash back which may cause irritation.) I also learned that battery operated holiday candles can be a light source especially the larger candelabra kind. My refrigerator's freezer section became a temporary refrig cooled by those pre-frozen flat blue plastic types. (I still keep frozen water-filled sports drink bottles on hand both for cooling & drinkable water as they defrost in the refrig.) All frozen food goes into the chest freezer down cellar which is then kept covered by a quilt. In the past, I have even used a carboard box put out in the snow. If we have a little warning, I fill an igloo reservoir.
And please remember your neighbors. With power lines downed, no communication & roads blocked, I try to keep them informed thru out the year of our possible resources if they can reach us. We've been blessed to have shared water, firewood & showers during stressful times.