In Case Paralyzing Snowstorm

[eli2410]

We are expecting an infrastructure paralyzing snowstorm in the next 48 hours here in Kansas City. I would suggest to anyone else in the KC area, or an area expecting snow, start getting prepared and read this for suggestions.

I am planning on informing my team tonight that there is an extremely likely probability that we will not have school tomorrow (see here). If that happens and the school district lets us work tomorrow, there is a chance that we may get stuck at school. I plan on telling them to bring a drawstring bag with:

Required

• Medication (Emergency and Normal, two days worth at least)
• Underwear
• Phone Charger

Recommended

• Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• Protein Bars
• T-Shirt

Is there anything else that anyone suggests to have? Those of you who were stuck at school in Atlanta (or have been stuck somewhere else), anything you suggest, recommend, wish you would have done, etc.?

P.S. I know for some of you in Canada and elsewhere, 12 inches isn't a lot, but since we don't normally get that, it is a lot for us. I am not looking for comparisons or someone saying that isn't a lot. I am simply looking for help and suggestions, in case we get stuck.

[artdutra04]

Please do not plan on purposely "getting stuck" in school during a snow storm.

While it really stinks losing a few days due to snow, everyone is much safer at home during inclement weather.

Also, most schools have a policy that if school is canceled for any weather reason, ALL extra-curricular activities are also canceled. Attempting to meet at school when it is closed due to inclement weather can easily put you on the bad side of the school's administration at best... at worst they may suspend your team for bypassing school rules.

[DELurker]

To be honest, when our school is closed, we don't meet at the school (school rules). We have met at a mentor's house in the past when we've needed to get things done while school is closed.

If there's any chance that people might get stuck, it may not be worth meeting. We've currently lost about 7 days due to weather so far this build season and, while some of them have been a little hinky, a few of the days were treacherous for new drivers to navigate due to the ice and blowing snow. We've been making up some time by changing which nights we meet or making meetings either start earlier or run longer. It doesn't get us all of the lost time back, but it makes us feel better about it.

[Tom Line]

Frankly, if I was concerned that I might get stuck AT the build venue, then I wouldn't be having robotics that day. There are too many unknowns. What if someone were to get hurt? What do you do if there is a prolonged power outage? Is robotics worth the potential downsides?

I'm assuming that you've already covered all those basis and still feel comfortable having robotics though. I might consider a sleeping bag and some water 'just in case'.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Deodorant.

High school students smell bad enough normally, two day old HS funk is beyond what I can tolerate.

[eli2410]

The only way that we would get stuck is if the school district decided it was ok for us to go there and then the snow keeps us in, once we are there. If they say we can't go, we aren't going, it's that simple. This is simply in case something happens. It may also start snowing tonight, so I am thinking of having people bring the stuff for tonight, just in case (haven't decided on that yet).

I only started this and thought of this because, as our coach says "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." I always try to plan for the worst, hope for the best.

Edit: Especially after what happened in Atlanta last week, I would rather be safe and make sure that we are prepared for the worst.

[theawesome1730]

I don't know what Blue Valley's policies are, but Lee's Summit generally has no restriction to us for snow days provided a mentor is able to be there. Bring blankets in case you lose power and heat.

[eli2410]

Originally Posted by theawesome1730

I don't know what Blue Valley's policies are, but Lee's Summit generally has no restriction to us for snow days provided a mentor is able to be there. Bring blankets in case you lose power and heat.

Mr. Ritter is in constant contact with our principal, who is in contact with the school district. The principal and Mr. Ritter are almost always with us trying to get us in, but it is the district and the principal's call. I wish we had that policy that if Mr. Ritter can get there, we can go.

[JamesCH95]

If schools near us cancel due to weather we cancel too. I might work at my work's machine shop or in my garage (and another mentor might too), but that's it.

If a student or mentor was hurt or killed as a result of traveling to a meeting, or being at a meeting, when I knew there was bad weather... well... I'd rather have a less-polished robot at the end of 6 weeks.

If the build season so tight that one absolutely must utilize every single day, one ought to seriously reconsider how the build season is run.

[eli2410]

Once again, this is in case we get stuck there AFTER the snow starts. I am looking at what happened in Atlanta and I am planning for that scenario, wherein we get stuck at school because the snow or ice builds up quicker than the school and infrastructure can respond.

[bduddy]

Originally Posted by eli2410

Once again, this is in case we get stuck there AFTER the snow starts. I am looking at what happened in Atlanta and I am planning for that scenario, wherein we get stuck at school because the snow or ice builds up quicker than the school and infrastructure can respond.

This is a scenario you should be planning to avoid, not planning to deal with. The robot can wait.

[JamesCH95]

Originally Posted by eli2410

Once again, this is in case we get stuck there AFTER the snow starts. I am looking at what happened in Atlanta and I am planning for that scenario, wherein we get stuck at school because the snow or ice builds up quicker than the school and infrastructure can respond.

What happens if someone is hurt and an ambulance can't reach you or is already busy with traffic accidents? A relatively minor injury can become a serious issue without timely medical attention.

[MechEng83]

I'm not sure why so many people are jumping on the OP for asking this question. I think he's trying to prepare for uncertainties. Think of this as an "Emergency Preparedness Kit" Do you have a first aid kit in your shop? (FYI, the answer should be "yes") Do you plan on having to use it? No -- you prepare in case you need to.

Sometimes, bad weather can come without sufficient notice (a la Geogia this past week). It's best to be prepared for these occasions and never have to use them rather than the reverse.

If we all just sat and were afraid that bad weather might come, or the road might be closed, or some other uncontrollable situation, we'd never get anything done.

[eli2410]

Originally Posted by bduddy

This is a scenario you should be planning to avoid, not planning to deal with. The robot can wait.

I would rather plan to deal with it just in case, but I see it as a not so likely event. I see all of the risks and agree, its a bad idea to get stuck. However, I personally would rather have everyone ready in case the worst happens, so that we minimize problems from it.

[eli2410]

Originally Posted by MechEng83

I'm not sure why so many people are jumping on the OP for asking this question. I think he's trying to prepare for uncertainties. Think of this as an "Emergency Preparedness Kit" Do you have a first aid kit in your shop? (FYI, the answer should be "yes") Do you plan on having to use it? No -- you prepare in case you need to.

Sometimes, bad weather can come without sufficient notice (a la Geogia this past week). It's best to be prepared for these occasions and never have to use them rather than the reverse.

If we all just sat and were afraid that bad weather might come, or the road might be closed, or some other uncontrollable situation, we'd never get anything done.

Exactly what I was trying to say, but I couldn't seem to phrase it right. Thanks.