Before snowstorm, I must have ________

[GraceW]

What item(s) must you absolutely have in the fridge/pantry if it is going to snow? (And you would probably drive out the night before to make sure you have it.)

[AnneInMpls]

Minnesota and Wisconsin were still getting hit with regular snowstorms this week (in late April/early May!!!), and I was becoming frantic for fresh veggies. The snow was mostly slush, so I could get to my neighborhood grocer, but I didn't want to go out. Luckily, I had a fridge full of kale, plus green onion bulbs sprouting on my windowsill. So I was OK for the worst of the storms. Here's hoping that was the last for the season!

[ahuva]

milk, bread, cereal, eggs, frozen pizza. other than the bread, none of that really makes any sense 'cause without power we're not having cereal and milk, eggs, or pizza. and yet, before every major snowstorm, i stock up on bread, cereal, milk, eggs, and frozen pizza. even if i have some at home, i buy some more. doesn't make any sense, i know. and yet.

[John E.]

I would think that cereal and milk would be a good thing to eat if the power went out in February.

[alliegator]

Best of luck with this one, northeast pals.
I would say alcohol, eggs, bread, cheese, potatoes, some pork, and chicken. Frozen peas, and some carrots. With pantry items, a lot of meals can come together with those things.
For me, an armload of magazines. And dog food for the gatorhounds.
I don't live in a snow zone now, but when I did, if it was possible to go out, I generally did. Last year in Pennsylvania, a freaky ice storm had my stupid mint green rental car frozen right to the damned ground! So I just started walking. The store wasn't that far.

[pinehurst]

Thanks, alliegator. Seems like we're about to get a coupla feet of snow, so good for the ski areas. I'm going to pick up some stuff for the hound on the way home, and maybe some Starter Loggs.

Oh ya, and wine. :-)

[BiscuitBoy]

And so the games begin - in Connecticut anyway. I may go panic-shop for booze on my lunch break

[ahuva]

Raw beef stew meat and fresh vegetables for a hot, comforting vegetable soup. Tomatoes for tomato-rice soup, bread and smoked cheeses for cheese paninis (nothing better than grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch when it's snowing outside!). Popcorn kernels for hot buttered popcorn during a snowstorm-caused movie marathon, marshmallows and chocolate for hot cocoa (of course!)

[ohmyyum]

Fireplace logs and wine.

[hippioflov]

Around here people load up on milk, eggs, bread, and poptarts. I feel fortunate that we stay stocked up and I can just go straight home.

[foodieX2]

booze. I always have enough food on hand so even if the blizzard of '78 hit again we would be covered. But other than the "good stuff" in the wine cellar I might not have enough alcohol, beer or everyday wine on hand. Gotta have a nice hot toddy after shoveling, sledding, etc!

[Bill Hunt]

Good point, and one that we have made note of. In Colorado, we had a 2,000 btl., passive wine cellar, but did need to make sure that we had enough beer to see us through.

In AZ, with no hurricanes, or blizzards, our 10,000 btl. cellar

Hunt

[Bacardi1]

I can only HOPE & ASSUME that you're not talking about the usual "toilet paper, white bread, milk, peanut butter" brigade. Those folks aways have me laughing my ass off. A couple of inches of snow & they think they're going to run out of toilet paper - LOL!!!!!

For just the NORMAL snow incident - as in a couple of inches that might make for dicey driving for ONE day - I'm not worried about essentials, since I ALWAYS have enough on hand, & KNOW that an inch or two of snow will be be gone 24 hours later.

For the actual snow day/night, I just like to have the ingredients for a nice meal (which, frankly, I always have on hand), & some nice snack foods - good cheese, crackers, wine, etc.

I leave the milk & peanut butter to the kiddie brigade.

Now for actual SNOW - as in Blizzard/Ice Storm stuff - we have a section of the pantry stocked with canned soups, turkey chili, pasta sauces, etc., etc. And since we already have a well-stocked pantry of other easily cooked-on-a-camp-stove stuff - we're never in danger of starving.

In fact, during our last blizzard, we enjoyed a wonderful Turkey Cutlet Piccata over Pasta while we were minus power. We'll never starve around here - lol!!

Food stuff aside - I can't recommend enough buying a propane camp stove (We have Coleman's model). We have a 2-burner model that has enabled us to pretty much cook everything & anything we'd normally cook on our electric range. There's something nice about enjoying Turkey Marsala with egg noodles while the rest of the neighborhood is dark.

[shaogo]

What about your gas grill?

[Bacardi1]

Sorry - not a gas grill fan. It's charcoal only here. To me, cooking outside on a gas grill isn't any different from cooking inside on a gas stove.

The propane Coleman stove is for camping & emergency cooking only.

[Bill Hunt]

Yes. A working Coleman with fuel, is a godsend, in a hurricane, or blizzard. Having a griddle is a plus, as well. Besides, they are great for "truck camping."

When traveling, in "snow country," we also throw in our -20F sleeping bags, just in case.

Now, in the Landcruiser, we do have some food items, and water, that need no prep - just in case.

Hunt

[greygarious]

Chef Boyardee and canned soup, because the house is all-electric. I can heat them on a makeshift camp stove (cooling rack over votive candle in deep metal can.

Cheese, crackers, fruit, pet food.

[valerie]

Funny about Chef Boyardee! I bought 2 cans of Beefaroni before Hurricane Sandy figuring that my kids could eat it at room temp if they had to. But we never used it and now I have the cans in my cabinet...I can't bring myself to feed it to my kids because I fear that if they taste it, they will love it and ask for it again!

[Bill Hunt]

Hey, save it for the NEXT storm. I think that it has a shelf-life of about 500 years!

Glad that you did not need it.

Hunt

[SWISSAIRE]

A ticket to Miami or Rio.

[jmcarthur8]

I've never gone shopping in anticipation of a storm, even when I lived on the coast of Lake Michigan.

Here in metro Atlanta, they storm the stores for 'white goods' ahead of any potential freezing weather event. We did all actually get stuck in the house for two days a few years back because a terrific ice storm made the roads impassable. We'd have to be trapped indoors for a few weeks before we'd run out of food. The pantry and freezer are always full.

[lemons]

White goods? Toilet paper? Bread? Vodka? Vanilla Ice cream? Instant mashed potatoes?

Do tell.

[Pietime]

White goods = milk, bread, diapers. Stocking up is mandatory for any possibility of snow in Atlanta. The stores were even wiped out for Hurricane Sandy & we weren't even in the path of the storm-it was hysterical. For some reason it's popular to wear cargo shorts for these trips to the store, like a fear the weather will never warm up.

[Bill Hunt]

Yes, with but a touch of "planning," one should never be in danger of starving. At least we have never been.

Now, with some storms, the foods might have been a tad eclectic, but no starving in the Hunt household - besides, maybe we needed to clean some items out?

Hunt

[sheepy]

I used to work in a 24-hour grocery store on the night shift. Our joke was that whenever there was bad weather on the way and a travellers advisory was ordered, people misunderstood and thought they were being advised to travel.

What people bought always amazed me. There were the usual things, milk, eggs, bread, juice. Frozen pizza, M&Ms and potato chips were popular, but then they were always big after bar rush as well. Cookie dough or the stuff to bake cookies was another.

Personally, I always wanted hot chocolate more than anything.

[Bill Hunt]

Cookie dough, eh? Never thought of that, but I do see the point. Besides, I can just eat the dough (if it's a good one), and do not need to do any baking.

New one, but I do see the reason.

Hunt

[tonifi]

lemons, I swear my cousin Paul was the first one to coin the 'french toast' line...well, at least he was the first person I ever heard say it. Many years ago, when we heard it was supposed to snow he said, "Now everybody has to run to the store for milk, bread, and eggs. Must be time to make the french toast." Want to guess what we now MUST have for dinner the night of the first big snowstorm? (And no, we haven't had it yet, that last one was just a teaser). He's a baker at Companion here in the Lou, so he knows his french toast...

[Bill Hunt]

Hey, I love French Toast on a clear day, and it sounds good during a blizzard - so long as I have some Benton (or Harringtons of Vermont) bacon to go with it.

Hunt

[beachmouse]

Hot chocolate mix.

[Bill Hunt]

Now, we lived in a hurricane-prone area, and had few years, when one significant storm did not make landfall near us.

We moved to Denver, where there are very, very hurricanes, but blizzards CAN happen.

Before the Blizzard of '82, wife went shopping - just in case. Mostly, she was laughed at, but she made sure to have:

Two gals. of Coleman fuel (though our electrical lines were buried, we did loose power for about 18 hours, so the Coleman was just fine).

Beer

Wine

Ground sirloin for burgers (we had a griddle for the big Coleman), buns, cheese and BBQ sauce.

Bread components for the breadmaker (electrical, so we had a Dutch oven for the Coleman).

All other condiments were in stock, along with soups (she added another half-dozen cans).

Coffee

Half-n-half

Nibbles

And she bought ice (old hurricane mode had kicked in).

We made out fine, though even the sheriff's team could not reach us in their half-tracks, and snow plows got buried. As my wife was a hospital director, it took the Arapahoe County sheriff three days to get to us, to take her into the hospital. We even fed two snow plow drivers, when they got stranded near us!

Other than the ice (we quickly learned that sticking beer and white wines into a snow drift was OK), we managed well, though actually had to tunnel out, since all the snow from the golf course blew up in front of our home - up to the second story!

We only had to do the Coleman for about 4 meals, and the beer and wine held out, as did the soups.

Biggest problem that we had was that a good friend was out of town, and we had to X-country ski to her place (about 2 miles), to let her puppy out and make sure he was fed. We DID run out of his kibbles on the second day, so he had to eat "cat kibbles," for three more days, but did not seem to mind. Biggest issue was digging him an area, down to grass, to do "puppy things."

Over the next 18 years, we sort of built up a stockpile of those same items, but never again lost electricity, so the Coleman did not get much use in blizzards - we also did NOT buy ice... "old habits."

Hunt

[shaogo]

Bill, you're the best!

Remind me to move close to you, and establish a friendship -- skiing 2 miles to let your friend's dog out is above and beyond the call of duty, friendship-wise!

[Bill Hunt]

When a weather problem hits, one does what they need to do - whether it's a little dog in a blizzard, or removing trees from a friend's roof after a hurricane.

I go back to way, way before FEMA, and people just did, what needed to be done.

Same thing with food. If we had it, we shared it, and even cooked it, if others did not have electricity. "Wait, you probably need some beer to go with that - here, take a 6-pack... "

Now, people sit on the street starving, waiting for some US Gov agency to stop by. It has sort of become like the old tale of a man, who was able to climb upon his roof in a bad flood. The water rose, and rose, and then, two men in a raft floated by. "Get on board with us, and we will save you," they shouted. The man declined, and told them, "God will save me - thank you." Then, as the flood waters climbed higher, nearing his location on his roof, a boat came by, and the people yelled to him, "Get in our boat, and we will save you." Again, he declined, shouting above the rain and rushing waters, "Don't worry about me, God will save me." Finally, as the flood waters lapped at his feet, a helicopter appeared overhead, and the co-pilot screamed, "Grab the rope, and we'll pull you to safety." The man waved them off, screaming "Don't worry about me, God will save me." The man drowned and passed by St. Peter, as he entered Heaven. At God's feet, he asked, "God, I am a believer, and my faith has never waivered. Why did you allow me to drown in that flood?" God looked at him and said, "My son, I sent you a raft, a boat and a helicopter. What more did you wish?"

It's similar in parts of the Deep South, after Hurricane Katrina. Some places just got busy, though the devastation was unbelievable, and got things done, and people taken care of. Others, though hit pretty hard, just sat around complaining and protesting, doing nothing to help themselves, or their neighbors.

Were you my neighbor, then all that I have would be yours in time of need.

Because we try to eat well, whether at home, away, or even camping, we usually have some good food. So long as we have planned on preparing it, we still eat pretty well. If problems persist for a couple of weeks, then we break out the freeze-dried camping food, and make do, until we can change things.

Maybe it was from being a Boy Scout, but the "Be Prepared" part of the motto, has stuck with me. With a bit of forethought, hurricanes and blizzards have just been inconveniences, and little more. Even on the MS Gulf Coast, my family home (once thought of as being on the "wrong side of the tracks,") has been spared every hurricane since 1947.

No, I would be honored to live near you, and would share to the best of my abilities.

Take care,

Hunt

[pinehurst]

Canned tuna (because I like it and so does Ben the dog)
Eggs (see above)
Bigelow Constant Comment tea, which my mom used to make for me when I came in from sledding or shoveling. I miss her. I really associate the taste with significant winter snow storms (I was a wee lass when the Blizzard of 78 hit in the Boston area, and I remember sharing some with our across-the-street neighbors)

[Bill Hunt]

Canned Tuna is a good one. While we probably had some, do not recall eating any though. However, I am a person, who does love a good Tuna Salad, and White Albacore in Oil (never been a fan of the water) is good for that. Most of the other ingredients would already be handy, except maybe celery? Glad that Ben liked it. Our friend's puppy, in the Denver Blizzard of '82, would probably have liked that, better than cat kibbles, but he did not complain.

Hunt

[shaogo]

Bill,

If you're a fan of white albacore in oil; try going to the Italian specialty grocer and get the white tuna in olive oil. I use it for Vitello Tonatto, veal scallops with tuna and capers -- but it's delicious any way.

This stuff is not cheap, but then again, what good stuff (except love & sunshine) isn't pricey?

[Bill Hunt]

I will keep my eyes open.

We have two nice (at least to me), Italian specialty grocers here (Phoenix), but have not looked for that tuna.

Thank you,

Hunt

[Vidute]

have you priced a wedding reception, lately?

[gaffk]

I really like FriedClam's ABC approach.

I make sure I have a nice roast to cut up for stewing beef, along with carrots, celery, potatoes, etc. For me, a snowy day demands a nice slow-cooked beef stew. I always have a well-stocked pantry, but I'll be sure to have fresh milk and butter so I can make biscuits to go with the stew

I always have a well-stocked beer fridge and wine cabinet as well. But for snowy days I like to have my Jameson's neat and rye for making Manhattans. And firewood, so I can enjoy those beverages.

And yes, cat food and treats.

[FriedClamFanatic]

pet food is a must!

If it snows and we lose power, it means the propane grill for food, no water(we are on a well), and a small honda generator to keep the two freezers going if necessary.

Hence.the ABC's

A precooked roast could be heated on the grill, suppose...but we usually revert to staks, chops etc

[shaogo]

Oh, yes. Manhattans with rye are a great way to wait out a storm.

Now, I regret that the snow forecast in our area last night didn't appear... I have no excuse to buy a bottle of rye or Bourbon and sit home making cocktails all day...

[coll]

I know, why does snow always make me feel like all rules are suspended? Probably memories of childhood school closings I guess.

[gaffk]

I think that's it . . . no cleaning. no laundry . . .just movies and cocktails and snacks. (Of course, childhood was probably tv and hot chocolate and snacks ;)

[Bill Hunt]

Yes, one CAN enjoy a snowfall, but it depends. I recall one New Year's Eve, when we got 4" of snow on the MS Gulf Coast, and everything shut down - we had great fun.

OTOH, while in Denver, we had a very heavy snowfall, of about 18 inches (not a blizzard, as the winds were calm - just snowfall), and I arrived at my photo lab with film from a shoot the day before. The manager asked why I did not just take a "snow day," and I replied, "Since I am self-employed, snow-day = snow-pay." Luckily, he had two techs, who lived near-by, and had come in, so my film got processed.

We would also use our 4x4's to pick up clients and drive them into the studio, when we had something scheduled, and a big snow hit. Time IS money, though on such days, we seldom had our normal spread of pastries, since the bakeries were not open... So the clients had to do without.

Hunt

[Vidute]

another storm is coming! you'd better hurry before that last bottle of rye is sold. and, if the forecasters are wrong, again, you can have a drink to having "dodged the bullet". maybe not cocktails all day, but a couple of nice evening libations. :)

[valerie]

It always amazes me how the bread aisle is cleared out before any storm. I mean, it would come in handy to have bread to make a sandwich, but why does everyone need eggs? I guess I am just not a snow-baker.

I make sure to have on hand...milk and oj (for the kids) plus my husband likes cereal for breakfast, Diet Coke, and plenty of snack foods, chips and popcorn. We would be okay to live on pasta or whatever we have around in the freezer/pantry for a few days.

Oh, and I never thought of it before now, but we got a puppy 2 months ago. So I will keep a mental note before the next big storm to make sure we have dog food on hand.

[NonnieMuss]

Bread! Milk! Eggs! (Overturns chairs, rips wig off, and knocks over little old ladies in the cereal aisle.) This was the scene at my grocery yesterday. We got about half an inch total. I blame the local weathermen who cut into tv shows every 5 minutes to report on new flake sightings.

If there was a doozy comin' I'd probably make sure I had plenty of beer, cat food, and the makings for chile. Bacon & eggs and popcorn for snacking. Then some more beers just in case.

[PattiCakes]

ROTFLMAO at that image! Our news stations here have the imminent storm coverage down to a science. The name of the game is creating an atmosphere where people need to keep tuning in to keep apprised of ALL of THE MOST CURRENT information on that weather event. Hard to separate the reality from the hype! I'm also laughing at the most recent "emergency situation", where it's being reported that there will be a terrible shortage of chicken wings for Super Bowl Sunday. While I'm out stocking up on bread, milk, eggs, beer and toilet paper, I guess I better pick me up a bunch of wings just in case.

[Bill Hunt]

Yes, the "weather folk" can sort of go overboard.

Now, that I have not faced either a blizzard, or hurricane warning, in about 15 years, it is hard to recall when they decided that every cloud held the potential for world-destruction. Still, with either climatological event, new-comers might need a bit of help. In Phoenix, the big event is a monsoon, where they plead with people to NOT drive into flooded washes.

Were I to move back to hurricane territory, or blizzard country, I would probably need a refresher course too.

Hunt

[John E.]

The first time I was in Arizona for a really heavy rainfall was a few years ago after an extended period without significant rain (it was several months). The TV news reporters were stationed around town showing the various washes and ditches full of water. It reminded me of how the TV stations in the Twin Cities do the same with a heavy snowfall.

I have lived in the Twin Cities for 22 years and in all that time we have not had a blizzard. I grew up in SW Minnesota, on the prairie, where we had several blizzards each winter. A heavy snowfall is not a blizzard. A blizzard is defined as a weather event in which there are sustained winds or frequent gusts that are greater than or equal to 35 mph with blowing or drifting snow which reduces visibility to a quarter mile or less and the conditions must last for a sustained period of time, usually a minimum of three hours. The closest I've seen the weather get to blizzard conditions was a couple of years ago when the snow on top of the Metrodome got so heavy they collapsed the roof on purpose by shooting it with shotguns.

[Bill Hunt]

When one lives in such an area, they usually learn the difference between a heavy snow, and a "real" blizzard. Walking in a heavy snowfall is usually not a big deal. Walking in even a minor blizzard, is something else entirely.

Same for wind and rain storms. In New Orleans, what can bring Phoenix to a halt, is not even noticed. OTOH, when we DO get a monsoon rain, even if only 2 inches, many downstream should pay very close attention.

It differs greatly.

Hunt

[John E.]

I don't remember the name of the small community, but it was out in the desert not too far west of Phoenix, and a flash flood, overland, pretty much wiped everything out.

The vast majority of Minnesotans live in the Twin Cities. I believe the vast majority of them have never seen a blizzard and don't really know what a blizzard actually is. They are not helped by TV meteorologists who refer to past snowstorms as blizzards when in actuallity, they were blizzards outside of the cities, but not in the metro area. We got 33" of snow in about 18 hours on Halloween 1991 and it is still refered to a blizzard even though there was no wind and by 10am the next day the roads were pretty much opened up, although of course would have been jammed up had anyone actually attempted travel. It was a Friday and everybody just stayed home.

[SWISSAIRE]

El Dorado canyon.

Sunny day there but rainstorm up in the mountains. Flash flood = town gone.

[sheepy]

No wind? I don't know where you were, but I can tell you that on November 1 when I was driving to work and then trying to dig my car out after working for 16 hours, there was plenty of wind. The roads not only weren't opened up by November 1, for almost a week afterwards there were huge ice ruts in the streets, even the major ones.

It was a blizzard.

[John E.]

I was in Roseville and drove to family residence in Lino Lakes. There was no zero visibility and sustained winds of 35 miles per hour. The surface streets stay rutted all winter, every winter in some municipalities. I should not have said there was no wind. My point is that it was a snowstorm in the Twin Cities and not a blizzard. Where were you? A blizzard is when you're driving and can't see far enough ahead of you for safe driving. A blizzard is when there are snow drifts that block roads completely. Sure, three feet of snow is a PITA but that doen't make it a blizzard.

[Bill Hunt]

I do not recall any communities, hit by flash floods, but do recall many groups of campers, who were washed down the otherwise dry arroyos, to their deaths. It happens all too often out here, and especially when the storm is out of sight, out of hearing range, and many, many miles from the spot, where they are.

The term "blizzard," is bantered about too much by the media. There are factors that make a real blizzard, and wind is a big factor, along with snow.

As you point out, get a few flakes, and there will be myriad news teams heading out, to tout the "storm of the century." Happens in AZ, when we have more than a 05" of rain! It fills the screens, and captures the imagination of the viewers.

On the Gulf Coast, what we just referred to as a gale, or a squall, is now named, and a dozen news crews show up, embellishing on the severity of that storm. Weather happens.

In CO, we had storms (some with very heavy snowfall) on nearly every holiday for about 10 years. Only one was a real blizzard, though each had an impact. Still, with the Blizzard of '82 in memory, one would have thought that the world, as we knew it, was coming to an end - according to the media.

On a side note, similar could be said for their coverage of the traffic congestion at the old Stapleton Airport (Denver, before DIA). I would hear the horrible reports, then have to head out there, to pick up visitors, only to find the place deserted. If the media could not alarm the populace, what use would they be? I mean doesn't every care how Lindsay Lohan's life is going?

Hunt

[John E.]

I remember seeing a youtube video a while back that showed a reporter for a Ukrainian television network (as opposed to a Ukrainian TV reporter, which is what I would be if I were a TV reporter) who showed up late to a Florida hurricane. The out takes (is that one word or two?) showed people splashing her with water and throwning sand in her face to simulate a real hurricane. It was almost SNL like.

[Pwmfan]

I have most of the pantry/freezer staples on hand, but I make that night-before trek to insure a sufficient supply of the necessities:
1) milk
2) Mexican Coke
3) Menthol cigarettes

Note to Patticakes: As a lifelong Minnesota resident, I have never seen the supermarket shelves emptied of bread, miilk or eggs prior to a snowstorm; however, the chips/dips/junk food sections are typically denuded.

[PattiCakes]

That's funny! I do remember my sister saying that she kind of turned the tables on her MN friends when it turned out she was the only one who knew how to handle what we call "black ice" when driving. We all have our own regional quirks, don't we?

[Bill Hunt]

Oh "black ice" is nasty stuff.

During my time in "blizzard territory," I had a stout 4x4. They are great for breaking through a drift, or just getting started, when no one else can. BUT, they do NOT brake any better (probably a bit worse), than other vehicles on ice. We never had studs, but quickly learned to watch for many things, during, or after the blizzard.

Actually, until the snow got to over about 8", my wife's Saab was a better handling vehicle, but over that depth, the Landcruiser shined. Black ice, however always got my attention, even in the Saab with 4 Vredesteins. Other than ice-racing rubber with 1/2" studs, not much can do really well with that stuff.

Hunt

[John E.]

My uncle used to say 'ice of color'. It sounds like your sister was a better driver than most of her friends, wherever they may reside.

[Bill Hunt]

Like you, we normally had most of it, already, but in hurricane territory, I have seen shelves denuded of almost everything from beer, to bread, to milk, and especially ice.

After '82, Denver did go a tad overboard, with emptying all sorts of things - except for ice...

Hunt

[tcamp]

Wine
Dogfood
Flour
Yeast

I've got plenty of frozen stuff and pantry staples and several stores/restaurants w/in walking distance.

[PattiCakes]

Ha Ha. I live in the Philly 'burbs, so the night-before-the-snow-storm compulsive need to shop is genetically ingrained. When my sister moved to Minnesota for several years, they used to look at her with slack-jawed amazement when she told them abouit it. I've already got a well-stocked freezer with soups, chili, pesto and red gravy, in addition to the makings if I want to make fresh. I've got all on hand to make all kinds of bread. I think the only stuff I'd made sure I had would be coffee, creamer and wine/beer. Oh, dog/cat food as well -- can't let the beasties starve.

[BiscuitBoy]

a weatherman's neck to wring, for frightening all the blue-hairs into running out, to buy up all the milk, tp, and bread! WTF? When in the modern era has it ever snowed you in for days at a clip? And what are folks doing with all the tp? Is it the yogurt?!

[wadejay26]

In 1993 and again in 1996 there were storms that closed all the roads in Northeastern PA. Grocery stores were closed for 2 or 3 days. The "blue hairs" were not able to get out for up to a week. Bet you they were glad they stocked up. Now, maybe the early to mid nineties are not considered the modern era, because there was no Twitter or Facebook, but I have very vivid memories of those two storms. And I am glad I had enough Mt. Dew on hand to see me through.

[BiscuitBoy]

Yeah, but were those storms forecast for a significant amount? I'm talking the run-of-the-mill 4 to 6 incher. I am in the minority, as I shop almost day to day, and I notice most folks shop for the week....but sheesh, between pasta, soups, stuff I froze, etc, I really don't NEED to hoard, for even a 2 or 3 day adventure. The beer and wine survivalists, here tho, I admire...gotta go tweet that one

[Bill Hunt]

<<When in the modern era has it ever snowed you in for days at a clip?>>

Well, that depends on where you are. For us, '82 in Denver was the first major blizzard. We were snowed in for 3 days, and even the snow plows were being buried out by me. The sheriff could not get his half-tacks to within about 5 miles, and we had to tunnel through a 15' drift from the golf course.

It was about 14 days, before much of the city could get back into much action.

Over the next 18 years, we had several more, but only one quite like that. Same with hurricanes. One gets 1-3 per year, and then Camille hits, or Katrina. Life changes forever.

Hunt

[iluvcookies]

Excellent point Hunt...

Normally I am not one to panic, but boy am I glad I stocked up on the canned goods before Sandy... no power for 5 days. Good thing we have a gas stove that was working during that time.

[Bill Hunt]

Yes, there should often be considerations, beyond just some beer and nibbles.

With hurricanes, having fresh water has always been a good thing.

Someone mentioned toilet paper - I can definitely see that. Also, and depending on other things, a chemical toilet in the garage, might not be a bad idea.

So very much depends on where one lives, how they have been able to prepare, and then... the storm itself.

For me, blizzards have been easier than some hurricanes, but if I were stranded in a friend's cabin at 10,000 with a blizzard raging outside the door, I would change my tune.

Hunt

[James Cristinian]

We were in immediate danger of being smacked hard by Hurricane Ike here in Houston, and on my last trip to the store my wife's final request was peanut M and M's.

[liza219]

I always yelled at my mom for the same thing. Why go buy things? The store don't lose power for more than a day; and roads are cleared in hours....., until Sandy. I will never tease her again!

[FriedClamFanatic]

ABC
Alcohol
Batteries
Cigarettes (or cordwood for you non-smokers)

[liza219]

That should have been my answer!....plus the flour and yeast. How could I have forgotten alcohol! I always say if you're scared the water isn't "safe" (either from travel or water main breaks or because you want a drink, of course) go with booze!

[iluvcookies]

Milk
Coffee
Wine
Cereal
Couple cans of hubby's fave soup (Italian Wedding)
Flour
Butter
Eggs
Chocolate chips... gotta bake while it snows you know!

I also try to plan for a big, long cooking meal on a snow day, like a stew or Sunday "gravy" with lots of meat.

[Maximilien]

Nothing in particular; if I miss something, I just dress up and walk to the corner store or supermarket to get it.

:-)

[BiscuitBoy]

O O O R A H !

[kseiverd]

Toilet paper, cat food/litter, coffee (and half & half)... and GOOD snack food! Always like to have full tank of gas... not an options, since warning light came on yesterday afternoon. Have enough staples to last a LONG time, so like to plan on something yummy... have rack of baby back ribs hanging out in fridge in a rub... ready to start as soon as I get home from school this afternoon.

"Dire" forecast for my area... MAYBE 1-3"!! And the French Toast Clubbers (LIKE that term) were out in force yesterday afternoon.

[coll]

Toilet paper and cat litter, top of the list!

[iluvcookies]

French Toast Clubbers! Love it. They bombard the A&P at the slightest flurry in my neighborhood too.

[Chemicalkinetics]

Hmm, are we discussing foods or all kind of things, because I really want to change my previous answer.

[LizGW]

Toilet paper is also high on my list.

[coll]

One time I actually thought I ran out of cat litter just after 3 feet of snow fell, never again! Thank God I found a box in the garage or I'd be one of those crazy people going out in a snowstorm for the stupidest thing.

[sr44]

I tend to keep a container of kitty litter in my car whatever the season.

[coll]

I do have a bucket of non clump in the garage, in our "automotive" section, now that you mention it. I'll have to remember that next time, before I panic!

[Bill Hunt]

For traction, I think that that is a great plan. For food... well not so much. Also, our Colorado kitties, never ventured out in a blizzard (or snow, or even light rain), but one crazy Bulldog just loved deep snow.

Hunt

[John E.]

We once had a housecat that loved to play in the snow with the kids when they quite young. This cat would chase after snowballs llike a dog fetching a tennis ball. The cat ignored tennis balls however.

[Vidute]

my husky had a cute game he'd play. once there were several inches of snow on the ground, he'd stick his snout in the snow and run around the yard like a snowplow. sweetest dog.

[lemons]

Had an AE Spitz that did the same thing...talk about instinct.

[Tripeler]

Bulldogs are so loveable! I can imagine it barging through the snow.

[KarenDW]

Wine! and also eggs, butter, rice noodles, onions and sturdy greens like kale or cabbage. Freezer and dry pantry are usually pretty well stocked. It has never snowed enough in my region that I couldn't walk to the store within 2 or 3 days.

[Cheese Boy]

I am not in the French Toast or Bread Pudding club,
so all I need is some sea salt just in case the calcium chloride pellets run out.

[lemons]

I've never understood this once I moved back into town after living far from a grocery store. I have enough to keep me for several days. But the tradition here in St. Louis is bread, eggs and milk, according to the local supermarket chains. The French toast club, as it apparently is quietly referred to.

But I, too, will be interested to see what people say.

[liza219]

Flour and yeast. The smell of homemade bread in the house during a snowstorm...priceless :)

[Chemicalkinetics]

I usually already have what I need, but let's say I don't have any food in the house. I would probably go for rice, noodle, eggs and may be milk. Of course, I want more than that, but in the interest of being concise, I will limit to these four -- for now.

(I assume I do have basic condiments like salt and ground pepper, soy sauce, vinegar....etc).