Years ago when we lived in a house, both H and I had to be out of town. D2 was 15, so we thought it was safe for her to be at home by herself. Unfortunately while we were away, we got hit with a snow storm that dumped 2 feet of snow. She was concerned we wouldn’t be able to get in the house, so she came out to shovel the driveway every hour. She cleared the smallest passage for a car to get through.
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I found this blizzard episode - wow! though this clip does not include the rope to the barn, seared (frozen?) in my memory from the books
Notes about the full episode, rather sad
https://collider.com/little-house-christmas-episode-blizzard/
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I realize this is a significant storm. I’m in NYC and 10 to 14 inches are expected. But that is not outside the realm of winter. Maybe it’s me, after living in the mountains of Vermont for 33 years where we had lots of snow. Or even about ten years ago when I was living in Boston, now that winter was quite something because in a two week period, we got 6 feet of snow.
Anyway, I went food shopping today only because this was the day I was due to shop, and not because of the storm. But whoa, you would think this was armageddon. The shelves in two supermarkets were bare. The places were packed. It was like the pandemic! But what is the big deal with the emergency food aspect…I mean maybe two days they can’t go to the store?
I guess it is all what you’re used to.
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We don’t get a lot of bad snowstorms. But every few years there can be a doozie. A few days later you can get to the store (if parking lot plowed). The issues is that storms disrupt the supply chain / deliveries for a while.
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I think salt is bad for concrete/cement??
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Salt is bad in general for the environment. It kills plants and gets in the water.
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Salt is not great for surfaces. Neither is having someone in your household or your mail person fall and get injured.
Salt can be used in moderation and/or there are different types you can buy. For instance you can get salt that is not harmful to dog paws.
My mom did not have a cat but kept cat litter in the garage and would sometimes throw it on her walkway - I guess it works??
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Growing up in New York, we often had a big bag of kitty litter in the trunk. It added some weight/traction. And in the event of getting stuck, it could be torn out and spread out near the tires for traction. (I once did not have kitty litter - had to use a floormat.)
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That’s true. However here in the frozen North I have to weigh that against having icy steps/ sidewalk and the possibility of someone ( me?) falling and getting hurt. I do have an ice scraper but I have to use some salt. I always buy the pet safe kind.
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We used to use some kind of salt years ago on front stoop and sidewalk. I am pretty sure that’s caused the pockmarks we have… we stopped using it years ago. Luckily with shoveling and sun assist things are ok. We are fortunate to be able to enter the house through the garage. Once in a great while in winter we have guests do same if we think there is ice hazard using front door.
I also have to say this. For some this life storm will create havoc for a couple days and then (hopefully) will be just a memory. For some states the snow and ice will remain - maybe for weeks. I know here the next 10
Day forecast shows
Nothing warmer than 20’s. If we don’t treat the ice 
move the snow it’s literally
Dangerous to walk your own driveway.
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In NYC we use a lot of salt on sidewalks because every building is responsible to make sure sidewalks are clear for pedestrians. If someone should slip and fall the building would get sued.
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It’s probably too late for those of you in the storm’s projected pathway, but I can highly recommend these. Got some for my mom after she fell and broke her back and made her swear she would not go out on the ice without them ever again. She reports they work great.
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I walk daily, in all kinds of Midwest weather, and I use snow cleats. They definitely help.
And yes, I walked today in double-digit negative wind chill weather. I dressed properly and cut my typical walk time to avoid being out too long.
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And weakened car surfaces and components.
If used on roads where you live, get a wash soon after you drive on roads that are salted.
I bow down to @kelsmom! Yesterday was no joke. I walked on my treadmill
I have yaktrax and ones that have little spikes on them. They work but nothing works on ice. They are great on snow covered surfaces
I also am in fear that my 90 year old mil goes out to walk the dog in them. Last year she tripped and fell in the grass of her backyard. Broke her pelvis. We are happy she agreed to hire a dog walker this winter.
Good luck to everyone affected by the storm.
Haha @soozievt, this is like a Tuesday in VT! Definitely not an event you would stock up on.
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My favorite snow boots for good traction are the Columbia bugaboot made from recycled tires. The traction is fabulous and they are super warm. They are just heavy.
If it’s icy I walk in the grass.
We are required to keep our sidewalks clear so salt is must.
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Which could be a few times a week for a few months in some locations. Not really doable.
Maybe once a week.
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I have to wait to get my car washed. It’s still below zero here.
I’m in a city and we are required to keep our sidewalks clean. Our neighborhood is very walkable so lots of foot traffic.
The yaktrax are great but if it’s a sheet of ice it still slippery.
I do what I can.
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