Snow Survival

Snow Prep:

The Northeast region of the U.S. went from breaking records for high temperatures in December, to breaking records for snowfall during the recent snowstorm Jonas. This drastic change in weather caused some to be completely unprepared for the storm that left many stranded at home for days.

It is important to keep in mind the possibilities of storms like these occurring and the aftermath they cause. It is especially important for college students to prepare for these situations where they could be stuck in residence hall rooms for long periods of time. There are many different areas that need preparations and thoughtfulness before a storm hits.

The first area of preparation is sustainable food items that will be needed for days. This can be especially important if the dining services would not be able to open. Registered dietician Kristina DiSanto shared some important food staples that would be great to have in your room for a snowstorm. These include oatmeal, cereal and milk, eggs, Greek yogurt, nuts and seeds, fruit, and microwavable veggies.

None of these foods require any kind of preparation other than heating in a microwave. They will also keep fresh for long periods of time and should get you through a storm that has you stuck for days.

These foods are also all healthy options from every food group.

“If you are in an apartment where there is a full kitchen, it is a good idea to get some frozen meat,” DiSanto said.

This will also last for long periods of time and provide you with another option.

After food, there are many important items students should be sure to have in their dorm/apartment before a storm hits. Accuweather.com shares a list of important items to have when a blizzard strikes which includes a flashlight, cell phone, battery powered radio, extra water and medicine, a first aid kit, an emergency heating source, fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. All of these items are good to have especially when the power goes out. While it is possible for the residence halls to lose power, it is rare, leaving some items unnecessary.

Another aspect that needs preparation for a snowstorm is your vehicle. It is important to make sure your transportation will be safe when a storm hits and when it is time to get back on the road again. Carcare.org supplies a maintenance checklist for cars during the entire winter season.

Before a storm hits it is smart to check the car battery, breaks, lights and wipers to make sure each of these are working properly. Antifreeze and oil levels should be checked as well, keeping in mind that antifreeze should be flushed and refilled every two years. Lastly, tire pressure should be checked weekly throughout the season as tires lose pressure when the temperature drops.

“A vehicle that is properly prepared for the elements can help you avoid an unplanned road emergency when the weather takes an unexpected turn for the worse,” Rich White, executive director of Car Care Council, said.

As well as keeping your vehicle in check, be aware of a few items that are good to keep inside the car during the winter months. Ben Wojdyla, writer for Popular Mechanics, composed a list of several items that should be added for snowy days.

This list includes a spare phone charger, hand warmers and blanket, an LED flashlight or flares, a shovel, a windshield de-icer, food and a drink.

Keeping these preparations in mind for your residence halls/apartment and your car will help ensure safety for future snowstorms.

Snow Travel:

The snow that hit the Lynchburg area at the end of the first week of classes for students at Liberty University impacted travel, and as a result, most schools in the area, including Liberty, cancelled all classes Friday, Jan. 22. Liberty had a delay until noon the following Monday.

According to Virginia State Police, in Lynchburg, Virginia and surrounding areas, there were more than 56 traffic crashes and 36 disabled vehicles during the duration of the snowstorm. There were no injuries or fatalities reported in this part of the state.

Driving in the snow can be difficult and life threatening. The American Automobile Association (AAA) and the Virginia Department of Transportation advise against driving during winter weather unless you absolutely have to.

The AAA advises drivers to take many specific precautions. These include avoiding driving while tired, making sure to never warm up a car in an enclosed area and keeping the “gas tank at least half-full to avoid gas line freeze-up.”

The National Weather Service issues warnings and advisories for weather such as snow and ice and expects citizens to use common sense before planning any and all travel.

When driving in the heavy snow, drivers should make sure they carefully follow tips given by the AAA. The AAA says to accelerate and decelerate slowly, increase following distance to 8-10 seconds, know the quality of your brakes. and do not stop while driving up a hill.

The final thing to ensure safety in the snow is simply to stay home. Staying home keeps the roads clear for snow plows and transportation workers to get the road clear and operating the way it should.

Snow Fun:

While some people bunkered down inside away from the snowfall that recently hit Lynchburg, others spent their time hiking, playing video games and building snowmen.

Even though they were stuck at their residence halls, Liberty University students came up with creative and exciting ways to spend their snow days.

George Cesil, a cinematic arts student, took the opportunity to challenge himself with a hike.

“When it snows, one adventure I always try to accomplish is to walk a far distance to feel like I’m actually accomplishing something,” Cesil said. “This snowstorm, I decided to hike from the Annex to the monogram.”

Tyler Dunning, a writer for active.com, recommends snow kayaking in his list of “10 Extreme Winter Sports for Thrill Seekers.”

“Much like sledding, all this sport requires is a slope, a little momentum and the gumption to haul a kayak up a snow-covered hill,” Dunning said. “Once in motion, you might find the kayak a little more difficult to handle than in the water, but having a paddle to steer gives you more control than a standard sled.”

If snow kayaking sounds too extreme, snowboarding and skiing are always available at Snowflex free for Liberty students.

Not everyone was so productive, though. Many people prefer resting on snow days.

In The Washington Post, Jonathan Alport, a New York psychotherapist, explains that snow days do not have to be productive but can simply be a day of rest.

“Way too often people place unnecessary pressure on themselves to perform or live up to a certain ideal, even on a snow day,” Alport said. “Rather than seeing it as knocking you off your game or slowing down progress at work, see it as an opportunity to rest, recharge, and work in a different capacity.”

Senior Jared Slagle appreciated having a day to play video games and relax with his friends.

“Having an extra sabbath or rest day really refreshes you,” Slagle said. “It energizes you to get more work done.”

Freshman Andrew Miller did what he thinks most people spent their day doing.

“I think I represent most college students,” Miller said. “I stayed indoors, watched a lot of Netflix and ate a criminal amount of Ramen.”

Whittaker is a feature reporter.

OZBURN is a feature reporter.

GEE is a news reporter.