On Monday, January 4th, we had the most snow than we've had in 2 years.
It was quite the storm and caused a giant back up on I-95, the main corridor in our area.
Hundreds if not thousands of drivers who were stranded on I-95 in our area, including our very own Senator Tim Kaine. I-95 is the major interstate that runs north-south through DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland.
Why did it get so bad? Temperatures were in the 60s just the day before. It started out as rain and temperatures started dropping fast. Snow was falling at the rate of 2-3 inches an hour. The rain froze on the roads and the snow just got heavier and started sticking to the roads. We had snow on top of ice. Salt and sand can help, but when it’s falling so fast, it’s too fast for salt and sand to do any good.
In the past decade, there have been only 3 other major storms like this.
2019 - 8 inches
2016 - 11 inches
Winter of 2009-2010 there two big storms that dumped 15 inches and 9 inches on us.
We’re looking for more snow on Thursday Jan 6. Now, it won’t be as big as Monday’s storm, about 1-4 inches but there will be some possible school closures and traffic issues
So what can you do to be prepared?
First, unless you absolutely have to be somewhere like work or to seek medical help, stay home. Prepare ahead of time so you don’t have to make trips to the store. They will likely be closed anyway.
Dress in layers. Make sure everybody is wearing socks. Bring a scarf along. You might only be taking as short trip, but at some point you’ll have to be outside, either to get gas, or if you get a flat tire. It’s good to be prepared just in case. It is winter time, dress accordingly!
Keep an emergency supplies kit for your car.
Thermal blankets - you can get mylar emergency blankets for about $2.50 each at places like office supply stores or in the camping section of most department stores.
Water - keep a 6 pack of water in your car for emergencies. Make sure you’re not drinking icy cold water either because that will lower your body temperature. Keep it warm by covering it with a sock or a hat or blanket.
Food - keep high complex carb snacks like granola, bread, dried fruit. Complex carbs will give you the energy you need to stay warm if you get stranded.
Hand warmers - these little pouches can keep your hands and feet warm for a couple of hours.
Travel toilet - Let’s face it. Having to go is a fact of life. There are such things as a road trip potty that’s designed for women and fits under the seat of a car, and you may have seen those adapters that women can use. But there are as well as disposable potties, basically a plastic bag with an adapter that works just as well.
If you’re absolutely done with DC winters, give me a call at 703-969-1691, and we’ll work up a marketing plan to get your home SOLD. In addition, we will find you an agent in that warm tropical place that you’re dreaming of whether here in the United States or abroad. Keep watching this channel for more videos about warm places you can move to where they have programs for pensioners like discounts and even permanent residency or dual citizenship.
For more tips and links to some winter preparedness products, check out the description in the video.
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