Northeast DU'ers: Check in

[Texasgal]

How's it going? Are you stocked up and safe?

[Chemisse]

1. Not quite, but planning to head out at 6 am

to pick up a few supplies before the heavy snow begins.

I'm expecting a power outage, since I am in the blizzard warning area.

[Madam45for2923]

21. Me too!

[C_U_L8R]

2. Bring on the bombogenesis

and the thundersnow!!!

[NutmegYankee]

3. Bring it on!

Have my standard supplies.

[Dem2]

4. Just another annoyance

we could do without.

[msanthrope]

5. Teenager ate all the storm snacks in 1 hour today. Went off to buy more.

Have sand, salt, shovel, cat litter and cocoa. We're good.

[Texasgal]

8. LOL!

Dang teenagers!

[msanthrope]

12. Just came back in from dog walk.....6 am est. It's really bad out there.

Swept and salted my steps. The dog, however, loved it.

[lindysalsagal]

26. They're ALL mercenaries! Every last one of them!

lol

[redwitch]

6. upstate NY

Have milk, bread, eggs, cat food, toilet paper, candles and matches. Hoping we don't lose power as we will freeze our butts off.

Come On Spring!!!!

[democrank]

7. All is well.

Have to bring in extra wood for the porch wood stove in the morning, have it ready to go if I lose power.

[unblock]

9. generator failed!

carburator something something.

looks like we'll handle any power outage the old-fashioned way....

[madokie]

25. on that generator

Next time you have it running make sure to empty the carburetor bowl when you put it up. Don't let gas stay in the carb. I've got a welder/generator that I purchased new in 1995 and I guarantee you it will start the first try and that is because when I finish using it I turn the gas off and let the generator/welder run until it dies from out of gas. My onan has a bleed valve on it that lets me empty the carb bowl and I make sure to do that after every time I start it to let it run for a while. Never fails to start

[unblock]

31. apparently mine has a bleed valve, didn't know about it until last night.

so we've always just run it until it ran out of gas.

i'm guessing we used too old gas too often....

anyway, still have power, so far so good....

[madokie]

35. You may have to clean the carburetor

and its no big deal just make sure to not bend anything or stick anything in any of the holes to clean them out as that will mess up a good carburetor quicker than anything. I've started using PineSol and let them soak over night. Pine sol works awesome and it doesn't harm anything, like rubber or gaskets if there is any that you can't get out or off like carburetor cleaner will. Leave your carburetor as clean as brand new. Best thing I've found to clean them with. Pine Sol. straight out of the bottle works best.

I won't use anything else. I have 4 generators that I purchased at the recyclers for pennies on the dollar because of gummed up carburetors and thats how I clean the carbs up.

In the fall I purchase 20 gallons of straight gas just in case I need the generator during the winter and then use the gas in the lawn mower if I don't. I have 20 gallons worth of safety gas cans, well worth their cost as they won't let gas go bad in them.

[unblock]

37. we had someone look at it last night

he was able to clean out the carburetor enough to get it running but couldn't get it to throttle back, so no matter what it was always running at full tilt. he said he could fix it easily that easily enough with a few parts but not something he could do in our driveway the night before a storm....

separate question, are those new gas can nozzles supposed to take forever to pour from? i break my back holding a 5 gallon can for 20 minutes trying to fill the generator.

[madokie]

41. Thats the safety part

If you'll notice they have a screen in them that keeps them from blowing up if they are in a fire or are ruptured somehow. You can take that screen out but I don't advise it.

I know what you mean though and at some point in time I may be in the same boat as you on the slow pouring part. The good part about the cans though is the gas in them won't go bad.

As long as you have any kind of a load on the generator it shouldn't idle back so thats not that big of a deal as like in my case I start them only when I need them and plan to put a load on them. Shut them off when no longer needed.

[onethatcares]

48. ever use "seafoam"?

I've used it in outboard motors and lawn equipment. Cleans the sludge out of everything. Smokes a whole lot for a while, but works.

[madokie]

49. I put a can in my 98 f150 about every couple three months

cleans the injectors and keeps it running smooth. I use it in all my 4 cycle gasoline engines from time to time. Its definitely worth the cost.

[NutmegYankee]

56. I mix seafoam into the gas for my outdoor equipment.

Stuff works like a charm.

[Jim Lane]

10. Very long lines at the supermarket ... but I persisted. All set now. (n/t)

[madokie]

36. Thats the key

'Percist'

[Mopar151]

11. Laid in supplies yesterday

Battened down the hatches today. found the snow shovels again. Gonna shampoo some carpet tomorrow, make some applesauce spice cake. Where we are (SE Belknap County) looks to be predicted for 18", but it's gonna blow around some before it settles.

[Cooley Hurd]

13. Just starting here (Finger Lakes)

[SticksnStones]

14. Spent hours yesterday cutting kindling and bringing a stack of firewood inside

The wind is howling, my converted barn is creaking.

Here out on the north fork of Long Island we're expecting wind gusts of 50mph and up ~

Don't mind the snow, but the wind makes me twitchy...

[Vinca]

15. Southern NH - snow covering everything this morning. Maybe 1" so far.

I'm a little nervous because I have a dental appointment this a.m. and I hate driving in any snow. I should be fine, though. The heavy stuff isn't supposed to start until after lunch. I'M SO SICK OF WINTER!!!

[EarthFirst]

16. Stocked and ready to rock!

WNY checking in...

Made sure on Sunday that we doubled up on a few items on our weekly trip.

[Rhiannon12866]

17. Starting here, too, in Northeastern New York

And stores here were busy last night, too. Stopped at the grocery store at night on my way home and it was much busier than usual at that hour, they had to open up another register. I also stopped for gas, figured I'd better stock up on everything.

I finally stepped outside and I could see it, but by now it's sticking to the ground. It's tough to believe since last week the last of it melted. We were ready for Spring. I read earlier that Governor Cuomo has declared a snow emergency in all 62 New York counties - and that was early last night. They also had the school closings in a crawl on the TV last night. Every school system north, south, east and west is closed today.

[mnhtnbb]

18. Hope no one is planning to fly in/out of northeast today because 5436 flights are cancelled

within the US, coming in or out of the US! http://flightaware.com/live/cancelled/

This is a very useful resource for checking flights.

[TheOther95Percent]

19. Turning into Ice Storm in NYC

The snow has turned over to sleet/freezing rain. Da hubs will work from home today while I make the schlep to the office on the subway.

[Rhiannon12866]

20. Be careful out there!

I'm an hour north of Albany and everything is shutting down.

[lindysalsagal]

40. Coastal CT: Highways closed. NO way can anyone drive.

This time I left my car at the end of the driveway instead of in the garage, and I put a tarp over it so I can scrape it with the shovel and not scratch the car. I might drive it into the street and pull the tarp off at the ditch.

[Rhiannon12866]

62. It's been much the same here

Most everything's closed in the area and the roads are a mess with the snow coming down so fast the plows can't keep up. Visibility has been tough, too. I only left the house to take my dog out and he wasn't happy, either, he hates weather.

[TheOther95Percent]

46. North of the City is Getting Walloped

We got 4 inches or so in Central Park. I hope you and yours are inside and warm. I really hope none of my Upstate friends and relatives lose power.

[Rhiannon12866]

63. We had a couple of feet here, hard to believe since it was close to 60 last week.

The roads were impassible it was coming down so fast and most everything was closed anyway. I was supposed to go to the dentist, but I rescheduled when they predicted such bad weather. it's a trip to my dentist. I stayed in all day and am glad I did, visibility was poor and apparently the plows had a rough time keeping up. I'm just grateful that there was nowhere I really had to be.

[RobinA]

22. Sleet Storm

here in the Philadelphia 'burbs, too. Doubt very much if we will come close to the totals they were predicting, at least where I am and south. The proverbial rain/snow line is right over my head. Crews did a good job on roads and I had no trouble getting to work. It doesn't hurt that everybody around here stays home in 2 inches of snow, so there are very few people on the road.

[Madam45for2923]

23. As ready as we can! Expecting electricity outage! Hoping not! Snowing already.

[NewRedDawn]

24. Foot hills of the Adirondacks

I live 30 miles NE. of Utica, NY. We expect near 30" of snow. We already have had 2 wind caused power outages in the last 2 weeks.

[snooper2]

27. it's just a couple flurries, go outside and make Snow Devils!

[lindysalsagal]

28. Coastal CT: I can hear it hitting the house: Winds down, so we'll make it.

Yesterday they were predicting gusts in the 60's. It's only half that, so, as long as I keep power, I really can't complain.

Going out now for my first run on the end of the driveway. If I don't check in in 2 hours, someone come and pull me out of the drift!

[lindysalsagal]

38. OK. It's snow cone ice out there. Really hurts your face. Got the first 8" off.

Good news is, once you move it, it doesn't drift. I'll take that. It means I can hack away at it little at a time, so my electric snow blower can handle it. The little one I have isn't worth much above 8" unless it's total powder. Which it seldom is. It's too warm for that.

So, I can get out of the front door and out to the car, and hopefully, I've cleared enough at the end of my driveway so that I don't get totally buried when the plow comes through. Ran the car, charged the battery, kept it all from freezing, not gonna lose power, I'll be fine.

[lindysalsagal]

45. I think I'm done. Skies are clearing and it's north of us. Whew!

It was only about 8" but I got it gone before it froze into an unmovable ice block. My neighbors aren't out yet. Gonna regret that.

[lindysalsagal]

64. 8 a.m. update: Everything is solid ice. Unbelievably cold.

[meow2u3]

29. I'm in the middle of the blizzard in Eastern PA

The snow started to mix with sleet and is very heavy. The winds here are horrendous to the point of blowing open the front door of my apartment building.

But I'm home safe with no plans on going anywhere. My TV is on and tuned to the local news for the latest conditions.

[planetc]

30. I have completed the first shoveling ... (Fingerlakes)

About 4-1/2 to 5" out there. Still Snowing merrily. One person I know is a completeist at shoveling: doesn't shovel until it's All Down. Of course she's moved to Florida. I expect to hear from her later today with the exact temperature in her neighborhood. I am a gradualist, and like to move the snow in layers. It keeps my spirits up.

[lindysalsagal]

39. Mee, too. Much healthier, especially in this ice. Really heavy. Unless you've got a truck coming, ye

yer screwed if you wait till it's all over.

[planetc]

57. I have now completed my third shoveling shift for the day. So my cardio-vascular system must be

barely adequate, or possibly better. I will have to shovel tomorrow morning to get the car out, if the Sheriff has opened the roads. The only thing that bothers me is our storm warning isn't over until 8 PM tomorrow. I was rather hoping for 8 am, but there it is. I have electric, and I am happy. I hope you are all electrified too!

[HockeyMom]

32. White Out in Poconos (Tobyhanna)

Started last night about 10:30 PM. Cannot tell how hard it's snowing because of all the winds. We have a Blizzard Warning up until 6 PM with more snow expected tomorrow.

However, the plows have been coming down our road, which borders State Gamelands, on regular basis. The Ski Resorts must be loving this.

[WePurrsevere]

33. On the edge in northern NY...

We're stocked up on the basics: cat food, dog food, hay, cat litter, toilet paper, candles, kerosene (for the kero heaters), propane (for the grill) and wood (for the fireplace). We also have a fairly full pantry and freezer so we'll be okay for a few days I think. I'm actually much more concerned about my older daughter and her family.

[DinahMoeHum]

34. Stored and stocked in a warm safe place. . .home.

On the computer catching up on videos (currently watching MSNBC town hall with Bernie Sanders in McDowell County, WV)

[dreamland]

42. It's piling up here, and our snowblower won't start

[FSogol]

43. I'm in Fairfax County on the edge of the storm. 5 inches of snow followed by freezing rain.

Dropped Ms FSogol at work and then came into the office. On a handful of people at either company. Most people stayed home.

I have a Jeep so I enjoy sliding around in the ice and snow. Saw a cop car on the road where they didn't clear all the windows. wish I had gotten a picture of the dope.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

44. Stocked up? It's not like we're going to be stuck for days.

Not sure about in other places, but it will be business as usual in Maine tomorrow. Get up early, shovel out, go to work. They'll have all the roads plowed.

[H2O Man]

47. So long as the power

stays on, it'd a beautiful day here in NYS's Southern Tier. Similar to 2003. In 4 minutes, the plows stop clearing the roads, and the "state of emergency" kicks in.

[NewJeffCT]

50. so far, we're okay here in Connecticut

windy and snowy, but nothing we can't handle. just later in the year than normal.

We got rain and sleet mixed in with the snow, so it was very heavy snow.

[Zoonart]

51. Lower Hudson Valley, NY

Checking in with 17" snow and 50mph wing gusts. Still have power.

[democrank]

52. North central Vermont here...

Got a good foot so far. Storm warning extends until tomorrow afternoon. Wind starting to pick up. About 19 degrees.

Just went out to brush off the wind-o-meter (?) on the weather station. Drifts over top of knee- high boots. Well worth the trip out because I was treated to a pair of cardinals in a feeder. Brave, they are.

[magicarpet]

53. Mid-state Maine - Andy Co.

10 inches of snow - more to come.
Heavy winds - gusts to 40mph - no power issues here yet.
Heat is cranking - having a beer with supper - checking in with DU to stay connected.
Hope this is the last winter storm - ready for the tulips and daffodils.

[mvd]

54. Got less snow than expected here in SE PA

6 inches instead of 12-18 inches. Sleet really cut back the totals. I must be one of the few who likes snow, so I am a bit disappointed. But I AM ready for spring now.

[NutmegYankee]

55. Slopfest in SE Connecticut.

About 5 inches then sleet to rain. The blower got the driveway clear but by the time the plows came the slush was way to heavy and it will go back below freezing tonight. Many thanks to the DUer years ago who told me about the Snow Wolf Shovel. I was able to clear several driveway entrances back pain free with that awesome machine.

[JDC]

58. New Hampshire Seacoast still windy

About a foot of snow. Will probably break out the plow and blower here in a little bit.

[Beacool]

59. It wasn't as bad as expected in the NY/NJ area.

The NYC and the surrounding area was not hit as much as predicted, but other parts of NY and NJ got plenty of snow. The winds were strong, though.

I hope that everyone DU'er is safe.

[mikeargo]

60. 18 inches at least in Central NH

Winds up to 45 MPH.
Stayed home today and will not go in tomorrow so I can dig out.

[democratisphere]

61. Over 30" of snow with more still falling. Have been plowed out twice today.

Temperature is 10° with wind blowing. Everything is shutdown. Located on the western side of the Catskill Mountains, NY. Can't wait for Spring!