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Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm

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Re: Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm

#91
post #55

This triggered two thoughts for me. First, how much of a killer the cold is. We've moved on from "global warming" to "climate change" language but there are a lot of places in the world that would be grateful for a few degree temperature rise (such as Latvia where I am from). Today, cold kills hundreds of thousands of people a year, while "heat deaths" are limited to geriatrics in the "first world." Second, preparedn…

Very few places use electricity for heat. It’s super inefficient unless you use a heat pump, and residential heat pumps typically don’t work too far below freezing.

Very few? Maybe for single family homes, but electric heat is very common in apartments - Every apartment I've ever lived in had electric baseboard heaters.

Apparently it's #2 is the US with 37% of homes.

https://www.climatecentral.org/news/your-heating-fuel-depend...

Now that I live in a single family house I use oil to heat the house - but the boiler requires electricity.

Re: Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm

#92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From the article, the community has stockpiled resources, but their plows and skidsteers are all out of commission. They literally cannot get to the firewood, and every time they clear some snow out more blows in. Some people have been completely isolated in their homes for 8 days. I'd say most people, even in rural areas, don't have a supply that'll last longer than that, except for some hardcore preppers.

Most people in rural areas have some kind of food store with canned goods. With things like Soylent and Huel, those can also be used. I had 6 months of Soylent back in the day. 2 bags of Huel can last about 6 days and fits in a small bag — it is one of my hacks for backpacking. If you haven’t already, I recommend having a supply of canned beans, canned tuna, canned meats to preference, canned sardines, bulk rice (you…

Are you suggesting the inductive stove top because it’s more energy efficient?

Thank you for sharing all of these recommendations.

Re: Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm

#93
post #72
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m not asking this to be condescending, but have you ever felt cold? My hands lose all dexterity entirely in winter. With sufficiently cold weather my hands are either cold, stiff, and in pain, or I’m wearing gloves that are too bulky to be useful for anything other than crudely gripping large objects or swatting things away. These people are experiencing cold beyond what I’ve ever experienced, so I can’t even begin…

well the article cites -20 I assume based on area F so ~ -7C ...really -7C is cold beyond what you ever experienced ? It's not too bad. I'd imagine the main problem is if those temperatures are rare just nobody have proper clothes to handle it

-20 F is -29.6C

-20 C is ~ -7F

Re: Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm

#94
From TFA: “Our wood pile remains inaccessible.” They have wood but they cannot reach it to make deliveries to people in the area. Several decades ago, I recall driving along I90 in SD a few days after a large storm, and we saw drifts as tall as the highway underpasses. It was incredible. Driven snow takes on a texture that is different from powder, more like soft concrete. When the snow is sufficiently deep, there is no place to put it even if you are able to shovel or plow it.

Re: Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm

#95
post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From the article, the community has stockpiled resources, but their plows and skidsteers are all out of commission. They literally cannot get to the firewood, and every time they clear some snow out more blows in. Some people have been completely isolated in their homes for 8 days. I'd say most people, even in rural areas, don't have a supply that'll last longer than that, except for some hardcore preppers.

> I'd say most people, even in rural areas, don't have a supply that'll last longer than that, except for some hardcore preppers. I disagree. Or, at least where I live (densely populated europe), nearly everyone with their own house has at lease one (small) fireplace with some wood stored outside, typically enough for at least a month (otherwhise, do you go shopping wood every week?). Food-wise I agree that 8 days ma…

Whereabouts is this? Fireplaces are really not common in new developments (Sweden), but I'm not fond of new development houses anyway.

It's a shame for a country with a tradition of beautiful and efficient wood fireplaces like these: https://www.land.se/hus-hem/skaffa-kakelugn-tips-och-rad-du-...

Re: Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm

#96
post #94

From TFA: “Our wood pile remains inaccessible.” They have wood but they cannot reach it to make deliveries to people in the area. Several decades ago, I recall driving along I90 in SD a few days after a large storm, and we saw drifts as tall as the highway underpasses. It was incredible. Driven snow takes on a texture that is different from powder, more like soft concrete. When the snow is sufficiently deep, there is…

I am sure I don't understand the nuances of this situation but it seems a major failure of foresight and your emergency supplies should be stored so that they are accessible where they are needed if shit hits the fan.

Re: Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm

#98
post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Put someone in a village 100 miles from the nearest town, deny them the basic infrastructure you provide for everyone else, deny them proper education, skimp on government job programs provided to other struggling towns that would eventually lead to wealth flowing in and free enterprise, and let this wealth divide grow for decades and you’ll see you’ve successfully made a hole to trap people in. It’s not bigotry. Eve…

The point isn't "are they poor?" or "why are they poor?" but "how do you lift a community out of poverty?". There are many poor communities across the country, in all races and creeds. The past can't be rewritten- focusing on "you are poor because X happened in the past" is just telling someone there is no reason for hope. The way out involves both external and internal forces; external in the sense of support for de…

Also because a casino isn’t infrastructure. A casino is the equivalent of building liquor stores and calling it a job well done. Amidst a thriving economy it’s fine. Otherwise it’s making a few wealthy at the cost of community health.

Casinos are a way tribes found to generate wealth as an exception to state laws. It’s one of the very few possible “true” bootstrapping examples. But no healthy community is dominated by casinos.

Re: Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm

#99
post #93
post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

well the article cites -20 I assume based on area F so ~ -7C ...really -7C is cold beyond what you ever experienced ? It's not too bad. I'd imagine the main problem is if those temperatures are rare just nobody have proper clothes to handle it

-20 F is -29.6C -20 C is ~ -7F

No, what I did is 20F to ~ -7C

I hate that fucking stupid unit

But yeah, that's "my face hurt being outside" kind of bad ;/

Re: Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm

#100
post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In addition to the above, learn how to start a fire in your fireplace. I had used up my last (easy start) duraflame log a few days ago. "No problem," I thought to myself, "I have this pile of firewood here to use." Fortunately I wasn't under a time crunch to get it started, because I failed on a few attempts, had to forage for some kindling, etc.

Old newspaper used to work well for kindling. But fewer people get their newspapers delivered in print. Used paper grocery bags could work.

Also proper organization of the wood, I have a wood stove (had one growing up as well) and learning how to build a little pyramid or log cabin like structure around something flammable helps a lot to circulate air allowing the fire to spread to larger pieces of wood. EDIT: old newspaper is good, I often use "junk mail" as long as it doesn't contain any plastic, where I am stores will still send out some paper flyers.
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