Thanks for the thread, Sachita.

I'm all set here. Prefer to be overly-prepared because there was this one time when I wasn't..and let's just say it was quite uncomfortable..so I don't fuck around anymore.

The preparations that I've made are, plenty of coal and wood for the coal-wood burning stoves (they also can be cooked upon, if need be).
Also prepped my two generators...one for my house electricity, and one for my well. I also filled four large cans of gasoline for the genny's. I also have a cb radio..as well as a transister radio..and kerosene hurricane lamps.
My snow plow I attached to my truck yesterday..and I have my snow mobile all fueled up.
I have a kerosene heater set up, as well...and non-perishables and several big water jugs (always have that stuff, though)
My parents also have a house in my area, that's very secure, if I do need to leave my home for any major reason, like unforseen roof damage.

The street plows have been out since 9am..and it began steadily snowing here at 8am this morning.

One of my biggest concerns is for livestock that is kept outside during these types of storms..but most around these parts, know how to prepare their animals properly.

Hope everyone within the storm's path stays safe, warm, and well.

>>The best part about these things, is the slopes will be SWEEEET! :nixon:

Is this an absolute must-do trip? I hate to say it but I would not count on being able to do it. The worst of the storm will be overnight.

I was wondering that too.

Western Mass reporting in :)

It's been snowing all morning but only amounted to 3" of wet snow, the heavy bands of snow are moving into the region now and the roads are starting to get mucky.

School was called off half-day, I am now home, snug, supplied up and have no intention of going anywhere for the next 24-48hours.

They're predicting 2-3 feet of snow for our region now.

Hi Beloved, unless it is an emergency it would be much better if you did not make that journey, for your safety and for the sake of emergency responders.

/snip

Governor Deval Patrick has declared a state of emergency across Massachusetts, and will ban non-emergency vehicles from roadways after 4:00 P.M.

"Governor Deval Patrick has declared a state of emergency across Massachusetts, and will ban non-emergency vehicles from roadways after 4:00 P.M.

Heavy snowfall across the state and high winds, particularly in eastern Massachusetts have brought about public safety concerns.

Patrick says that the emergency declaration allows the state to better implement resources. 1,000 National Guard troops currently on-duty, with 5,000 troops ready to go."

***

Buses and trains have suspended service. Some roads that are notoriously treacherous have already been closed in Western Mass.

We don't anticipate this being finished until Saturday evening - at the very earliest - and the roads aren't likely to be safe/passable until Sunday mid-morning.

be safe, stay warm everybody. Hope it passes fast! Keep checking in and thanks!

Portsmouth NH is getting restless... LOL and its been 1/2 a day. Sparkle and Talon are seriously helping me understand the weather and what to do with their updates.

Our light and fluffy snow is now wet. The breaks the weather channel predicted never happened. I can only imagine what folks driving home now are experiencing.

Winds expected start at 2pm in the 25mph range. Moving to the 30+ mph range by 9pm.

Be safe and warm friends!

Bangor ME present :)

Slow and steady since about 8am its at a lull right now. Due to pick up at 4 or so. I head home at 6 around the start of the heaviness. Senior staff plans to cab me home out of petty cash. And again in the morning if the buses don't run.

The vote of the day - bring on 3 to 5 feet. We wanna play!!

Damn I love badass hardcore Mainers :D

somehow I think your driving plans will be delayed. :(

Bring it, Mother Nature! I love this stuff. My pantry and wood pile are both amply stocked, vino, weed and two good friends staying with me...I plan to build an igloo in my back yard.

reporting in from central mass

I am home finally. I had to turn down a load so I could make it home before the ban on driving began. I really didnt have time to do it so no trouble at work

The roads i some areas are clear but most are NOT. I have yet to figure out why they put sand ont he road and refuse to plow it.

Im glad that my baby isnt goingto TRY and come home tonite. The way they are talking I wont see her till sunday nite when she comes home.

I forgot to mention I'm chiming in from Boston.

Yeah, I realize this probably isn't going to happen when I want it to. I wonder if the roads will be clear by afternoon? If not I will have to leave Sunday. :(

I wish I left yesterday.

I need more to do when stuck in the house. That is what Nemo has taught me.

The winds arrived at 4:00, let the drifting begin.

Reporting from Rhode Island.

Work let us out at 11 am so I was home long before any serious snow started. It's not too bad here, but it's a very heavy, wet snow. I've done one round of shoveling so far, and will probably do two more tonight before the really heavy snow and winds hit.

Other than that, I've swept, vacuumed, and mopped in the house. Good times.

The Mayor just did a robocall and email blast letting us know about the ban on driving ($500 fee if stopped :|). His message also indicated that we will be getting the blizzard winds and that we should plan for power outages for up to 24hours. Which will be annoying if it comes to fruition.

With all of the hurricanes, flash floods, tornadoes and freak early snow storms we've had the past few years -- preparing for power outages is becoming old hat.

I've started cooking, I'm roasting a chicken breast and potato, parsnip and sweet potato, I'm going to make a salad and generally prepare things that will be appetizing both hot and cold. (Because goldfish crackers and granola bars grow old, really quickly). I'm doing my dishes as I go along. Clearing counters and cleaning them with disinfectant -- if we lose power I won't be able to wash/clean anything properly and things get manky really quickly. Cleaning pet food and water bowls for the same reason. Taking out the trash and recycling.

I didn't fuss about doing these things until I realized we might actually lose power.

I'm bringing extra duvets and blankets up from the basement so they're not freezing cold. And generally making sure everything I need is to hand (candles, lighters, matches, flashlights, batteries etc) and that things are generally tidy. Charging up my phone and computer and checking in on family and friends.

We have about 4" of snow. Its powdery and dry. But its falling at a moderate rate, it would be quite lovely outside if it weren't for the wind (which makes it feel icy and bitter cold).

Beloved, they've predicted that the worst of the winds and the heaviest of the snow will be overnight, and that the storm will keep coming until late day tomorrow. But they don't really know when it will end or when the roads will be deemed safe. If the snow and winds end early enough tomorrow (morning) they may be able to get the roads clear before the sun goes down and freezes them up again. The driving ban will stay in place until the worst of it is over and the roads have been cleared.

upstate NY checking in we have been getting snow since about 1pm while I was on the way home from picking up my daughter for the weekend so far it is steady but nothing more then what we normally get looks like we will be getting the lighter side of the storm but we are prepared