Read on Twitter
I’m gonna be a buzzkill early and say: don’t be shitty about southern/warmer states dealing with ice/snow/cold this weekend. We don’t have the infrastructure to deal with this (esp as severe as this weekend is/will be) and it hurts/kills people. It’s not funny.
also if you do, I reserve the right to show up in your home and relentlessly mock you for complaining about the heat when it’s below 95F 
putting tips here https://twitter.com/onlybohn/status/1360788860339372034
also if you have socks, anything that can be layered, or winter clothes that you’ve outgrown/don’t need this is the time to donate them - these are local orgs for Austinites https://twitter.com/onlybohn/status/1360789396568563713
We made a lil outdoor shelter but I don’t think any of the local ferals are using it 
idk how to make a cat cave that says “this is not a trap and also you’ll be warmer and safer in here” but I’m worried about our street pets
idk how to make a cat cave that says “this is not a trap and also you’ll be warmer and safer in here” but I’m worried about our street pets
also since people are actually looking at this
- if you have central heat it’s a good idea to set it warmer than usual to help offset the cold outside (and buy you more time if you lose electricity)
- make sure to leave your faucets dripping
- if you have central heat it’s a good idea to set it warmer than usual to help offset the cold outside (and buy you more time if you lose electricity)
- make sure to leave your faucets dripping
- opening cabinets with plumbing in them can help circulate air and keep the pipes warmer
- if you do lose electricity, hole everyone up in the smallest room that’s comfy and insulate the doors/windows (you can put blankets over them if you don’t have other stuff)
- if you do lose electricity, hole everyone up in the smallest room that’s comfy and insulate the doors/windows (you can put blankets over them if you don’t have other stuff)
the last winter I lived with my parents (who live in the woods) there was a real bad ice storm that knocked our electricity out for 5-6 days & we couldn’t get out of the house for the 1st day. We crammed five people & the dogs inside the fireplace room with blankets over the...
...doors and windows. It was very doable with a fire going, but the number of houses I’ve been in in Austin with working fireplaces is...not a lot 
and firewood is sold out everywhere here. and it’s harder to freakin forage for it when you’re not in the actual woods!
and firewood is sold out everywhere here. and it’s harder to freakin forage for it when you’re not in the actual woods!
A few more things I thought of:
- if you have to go somewhere, dress for the weather outside not the temp in your car. You might get hot at Target yes but if your car gets stuck & all you’re wearing is a hoodie, it’ll be a problem
- do NOT use hot water to thaw/defrost things
- if you have to go somewhere, dress for the weather outside not the temp in your car. You might get hot at Target yes but if your car gets stuck & all you’re wearing is a hoodie, it’ll be a problem
- do NOT use hot water to thaw/defrost things
The rapid temperature change can cause things to break (or in especially dramatic cases, shatter violently or explode); use lukewarm water instead
also if you have to drive, try to avoid
- roads without a shoulder or without good lighting
- hills or curvy roads (esp with lights or stop signs on the hill)
- for the love of all things good and holy, avoid bridges and overpasses, they freeze first
- roads without a shoulder or without good lighting
- hills or curvy roads (esp with lights or stop signs on the hill)
- for the love of all things good and holy, avoid bridges and overpasses, they freeze first
sth I hadn’t thought of; growing up we always filled buckets and big Tupperware but I didn’t realize the slow-leak of bathtubs was probs a factor https://twitter.com/baskingsnark/status/1360974905408425986
another good idea https://twitter.com/carrkicksdoor/status/1360973752599777280
a thread with many tips https://twitter.com/sadhbhrgraham/status/1360973341650223107
outdoor pipes: https://twitter.com/volstatsz/status/1360986841080602627
staying warm w/out power when you have a gas stove: https://twitter.com/raldios/status/1360993410514100224
I’m trying my best to keep up and haven’t muted the thread (despite the increasing amount of reply guys) bc I want to keep adding tips but wanted to address this re: earlier statement about heating temp https://twitter.com/_chelleshock/status/1360999344535666695
this is a follow up to that comment: https://twitter.com/kathdelwar/status/1360990119193432065
somewhere else in the replies it was also mentioned that you can use (non clumping! clumping can make it worse) kitty litter to help with ice https://twitter.com/mudbunny74/status/1361003470829084674
tip & follow up tip in the replies! https://twitter.com/fliederamanda/status/1361013288813826048
addendum to earlier comment re: water, best to avoid it if you can (I was just concerned about ppl shattering their windshields 
) https://twitter.com/anemicdragon/status/1361009980665520128
) https://twitter.com/anemicdragon/status/1361009980665520128
more kitty litter tips https://twitter.com/athena_grayson/status/1361015538600857600
I’ve seen variants of this a few places, obvs comes w risks but something to know in a pinch https://twitter.com/ai_valentin/status/1361019677049315331
Okay I have to mute now bc the notifications are making Twitter unusable, but I really appreciate that the majority of the replies were kind and helpful, pls continue to think of & help vulnerable populations, & I hope all y’all’s families/loved ones can stay safe and warm 
ok one last addendum actually re: fire hazard & earlier method mentioned https://twitter.com/jcenters/status/1361053282983178240
