Tech Trends

A Technology Kit for Emergencies

Prepare now for the next time we're without electricity.

There have been ample opportunities over the past weeks to be reminded of how much we rely on electricity. Perhaps the first few hours without power are okay, even possibly fun as we indulge in memories of camping. Then the need to hunker down sinks in, as we eat the second (or third) quart of softening ice cream and put another thawed steak on the grill. We intended to be better prepared for the next emergency, but oops! Where to start? Forewarned is forearmed. Local services, such as Fairfax County’s Community Emergency Alert Network (CEAN) provide traffic and weather notices to your phone, via email or other options. Visit Fairfax County’s Website for links to a variety of local and national alert services and sign up. The United States…

•  8 Comments
• Photos (1)

Winter Weather Forecast: Normal Temps, More Snow—Maybe

First snowfall in early December. Blizzard Jan. 30 - 31. Are you ready?

Jason Samenow of the Capital Weather Gang said he knows of no meteorologist, including himself, who "assign[s] any legitimacy to the Old Farmer's Almanac weather predictions." But even Samenow admits that sometimes the Almanac gets it right. The Farmers' Almanac said it was "on the money" in 2011 with several forecasts, including these: • "Accurately predicted a major snowstorm for the Northeastern and Great Lakes states for early February 2011. At that time, heavy snow did pound the Northeastern U.S., while a blizzard shut down Chicago." • "Predicted that the spring of 2011 would be exceptionally wet, and that parts of the U.S. would see a very active tornado season. This proved to be true when flooding overwhelmed the Mississippi River …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Susan Larson

5:37 pm on Thursday, October 13, 2011

I'm with you, Nancy-jo!   more ›