Minimize icestorm disaster?

April 8, 2023 1:53 PM

What can help prevent all the disaster caused by icestorms? I don't own a house yet, but how do I prevent problems that arise from icestorms?
posted by amfgf to Science & Nature (5 answers total)

Best answer: Get your trees inspected and trimmed by an arborist in late fall. Make sure your roof is strong and free of leaks. Lay in a good supply of food you can eat without power or heat, and bottled water. Make sure you have ways to stay warm if the power is off for a prolonged period.

Ultimately so much of the really bad fallout from ice storms happens because people try to walk or drive on the ice, or because unhealthy trees drop branches or fall. Even if you have boots with snow cleats and excellent winter tires, it only takes one person on the road without them to create a very hazardous situation. Your best move is to hunker down indoors and wait until the ice melts if you can.
posted by potrzebie at 2:05 PM on April 8, 2023 [10 favorites]

Best answer: Answers to this recent question might have a lot of advice that would apply to icestorms as well as other winter weather.
posted by mdonley at 2:55 PM on April 8, 2023

Best answer: If you use street parking for your car, move it somewhere pre-storm, if possible, in order to reduce your chances of it being hit by another driver choosing to take their vehicle out on ice-covered roads.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 2:58 PM on April 8, 2023

Best answer: How to Get Rid of and Prevent Ice Dams
posted by Rash at 3:34 PM on April 8, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Good to know all.

What kinds of trees are resistant to ice storms? I don't know which website is best for that kind of question.
posted by amfgf at 12:23 PM on April 9, 2023