Even our friends who were born and raised in the climates of Chicago, New York, and Pennsylvania were gobsmacked by JUST HOW SLIPPERY the ground got during this ice storm.

Personally, it was our first experience of any kind of ice storm. I don’t think we’d even heard of such a thing as an ice storm before this! (We were born and raised in Hawaii, but have lived on the mainland for over two decades by now.)

According to Wikipedia:

An ice storm, also known as a glaze event or a silver storm, is a type of winter storm characterized by freezing rain. The U.S. National Weather Service defines an ice storm as a storm which results in the accumulation of at least 0.25-inch (6.4 mm) of ice on exposed surfaces. They are generally not violent storms but instead are commonly perceived as gentle rains occurring at temperatures just below freezing.

Here are some…

Things We Learned Because Of The Ice Storm

1. Not even winter snow shoes will allow you to walk on ice storm ice without slipping. You need ice cleats.

2. In a pinch, if you don’t have ice cleats, you can put dry socks over your shoes and it might help.

3. Have a couple weeks worth of shelf-stable food like canned foods (and a can opener) in case you can’t get groceries, during these kinds of “I’m stranded and so is almost everybody else” kinds of events.

4. Lots of blankets is good. We used 5 layers of blankets when the power (heat) went out.

5. iOS: Settings > Battery: Low Power Mode will help prolong iPhone battery life

6. Portable power bricks for re-charging phones & less portable but more heavy-duty generators for electricity is also good. For example, using it to boil water in an electric kettle, for preparing dehydrated foods.

7. Several small flashlights and even camp lights are good. So you can see, and in case the lights go out while you’re in the shower.

8. Know and be on good terms with your neighbors so you can help each other with supplies and information.