Living in Iowa

Living in Iowa gives you all sorts of weather.Like this week, we had days of 50*F temps and now a massive snow storm is hit us late last night and today. Each weather season you need different things to be prepared. I'm going to share my preparations for winter and tornado season.
With the storm rolling in I went to the store yesterday to stock up. We received 11.5 inches of very wet snow.
My shopping list was short because I had many items here already so I'll list everything I always stock up on for ugly snow/ice storms/

• Water- bottled or gallons I do bottles (1 case for each person)
• Milk
• Eggs
• Bread (three loaves)
• Peanut butter
• Canned chicken & tuna
• Fresh vegetables & fruits (non-perishable)
• Blankets
• Backup electric supply (I have portable solar chargers AND yes they work when it's cloudy)
• Crackers
• Candles
• Camp stove (use outside or in well ventilated place)
• Refill all medications a day before the storm
• Bleach (in case water main breaks and a boil order is issues and no electricity)
• Soda or you favorite caffeine (instant coffee)
• Bottles of juice (for my kiddos)
• Batteries
• Flashlight
• First-aid kit- bandages, rubbing alcohol, peroxide, ace bandages

Other things you need to know is where water shutoffs are at and how to shut them off in case of a pipe breaking. If lights start to flicker, shut down your computers. Power surges can kill it. 

Remember these are just things I have in preparation for a snow/ice storm. You may need to add more if you have an infant or elderly person living with you.

Time for Tornado Preparation

I do not have a shelter where I live so I must go across the street to a friend's. This is what I pack:

• Laptop & charger
• Solar chargers
• Birth certificates, car titles, Social Security cards (all tossed into computer bag.
• Backup all computer files to Dropbox
• Save important things on computer to flashdrive

In Back packs:

• Two bottles of water
• Tablet & charger
• Phone charger
• Ace bandages
• Regular bandages
• Gauze
• Medical tape
• Peroxide
• Rubbing alcohol
• Razors
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Tylenol
• Ibuprophen
• Aspirin
• Ice packs (instant kind)
• All medications
• Travel toothpaste & toothbrushes
• 2 cans of Soda
• Crackers
• A change of clothes, flip flops (we wear tennis shoes so we don't slip on wet ground )

That is all placed in 2 backpacks. My kiddo grabs her computer and chargers and clothes.  

It may seem a lot but an EF-5 tornado came through here 10 years ago. I have also been a first responder so I know what is needed right away. A simple thing like aspirin can save someone who is having a heart attack, or at least help keep them alive while waiting for help. I am also certified in CPR and First Aid. My friend across the street as a back-up generator for my elderly man that needs his oxygen machine charged and all other items like our phones.  Many here in town are scared of tornado season, I however; love it and I'm prepared for almost anything.

If you have a shelter or basement keep a case or two of water and canned foods.

Please be safe in all weather no matter where you are.