Losing Power is Terrible

[contracteryin]

So I just got hit by Noreaster Nemo. It also happened to be a blizzard. Of course, I lost power just like when Hurricane Sandy hit. The big difference is it was freezing cold outside. Reptiles and freezing cold don't exactly get along.
Anyway, of my four lizards, I was worried the most about Katsu. He is my tokay that I purchased from Michael.
Anyway, my grandma still had power. So, while I was freaking out about Katsu being nearly black, my mom called my grandma once the driveway was done (we received 2.5ft of snow). She said I could bring them over to her house.

Now, I usually leave Katsu alone. I still am yet to upgrade to the larger cage (sadly) but the current one is just enough at the moment. Anyway, he was a cold, unhappy, stressed out mess so getting him into the Kritter Keeper wasn't easy. He was MAD for at least two hours after I got him to my grandmothers. He became that nice olive color at some point though. Once he was warm enough I moved him to another room, spritzed the Kritter Keeper a little and covered the front half and sides with a towel so he wouldn't feel so exposed.

Anyway, I am just SO happy he is alive. I was concerned about him the most. I love him to death (as I do all my "pets" they're my kids). I would've been so upset if any of them died. Aside the fact I love him, he wasn't exactly cheap.
Anyway, here is a picture of him at my grandmas. I decided this was a pretty good story to tell.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I'm glad that ended well for you, and I hope you get your power back soon.

~Maggot

 

[ryan6789]

I'm so glad where I live its 70-80 degrees and clear skies all winter.

That storm looked pretty bad

 

[mikew1234]

Well Ryan, you should go in a hole.. As for OP, I'm right here with you. We got the heaviest snowfall around where I am for Long Island. 31 inches in total. Didn't lose power thank god, but didn't have it for a week after Sandy. Lost a lot of fish, and one python during that disaster. Best of luck to you with braving through this disaster.

 

[ryan6789]

Well Ryan, you should go in a hole.. As for OP, I'm right here with you. We got the heaviest snowfall around where I am for Long Island. 31 inches in total. Didn't lose power thank god, but didn't have it for a week after Sandy. Lost a lot of fish, and one python during that disaster. Best of luck to you with braving through this disaster.

Awww did I strike a nerve? :'(

Op I didn't mean any disrespect, all of my family lives in long island and brooklyn.

 

[contracteryin]

Yea it was bad. My town news said we got like 24 inches but in my yard, we have way more than two feet. It's terrible. In a place not far from there several generators blew, a house burnt down, several wires and tress are down... it's bad.
I'm lucky all of them survived. Heck, I'm lucky that my grandma didn't lose power. Sandy was bad, no power for a week, but I'd rather have to do that again than have Katsu or any of them EVER sit in 20 degree weather for 24 hours again.
Various things have been stressing me lately and this did NOT help. Now that I know they're all fine it's better but ugh. Talk about raising blood pressure.
Also, it's alright. I like cold weather... just not this risk that comes with it. I can't stand hot weather. I'd be glad if I didn't have to freak out that my kids might die every time the power blows.

 

[mikew1234]

Lol anything weather related gashes out nerves with us in the Northeast right now. Especially since the farmers almanac says we're not done yet.

 

[contracteryin]

Right? We're supposed to get rain tomorrow and snow later in the week. It sucks. I'm hoping REALLY bad I don't lose power again. Moving Katsu is an enormous stress on him

 

[mikew1234]

They're saying another bad storm in the northeast in March actually.. Rain will help do what the dept of transportation hasn't yet. Get rid of snow. So I'll accept a rain storm.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Using 72 hour heat packs during power outages

Right? We're supposed to get rain tomorrow and snow later in the week. It sucks. I'm hoping REALLY bad I don't lose power again. Moving Katsu is an enormous stress on him

:idea:: Buy some long-acting heat packs -- the type used for shipping. I have 40 and 72 hour ones.

Activate heat pack
Wrap in washcloth to moderate temps
Insert in your critters cage
Be sure to monitor the heat output with a digital thermometer

 

[billewicz]

:idea:: Buy some long-acting heat packs -- the type used for shipping. I have 40 and 72 hour ones.

Activate heat pack
Wrap in washcloth to moderate temps
Insert in your critters cage
Be sure to monitor the heat output with a digital thermometer

:idea:Great idea!!!:idea:​

A case of 72 hour heat packs on hand would certainly reduce the worry factor. You could 'bundle' the enclosure with a blanket to help retain the heat loss through the glass of the small enclosure.

Just leave a little ventilation and monitor the temps. Heat packs start out blistering hot and then drop into an even temp for the given time.

A heat pack inside the Kritter Keeper would be way too much though.

For bigger reptile collections, a generator seems like the best insurance in areas were long power outages are typical.

Good luck to all those having to work through these issues.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

:idea:: Buy some long-acting heat packs -- the type used for shipping. I have 40 and 72 hour ones.

Activate heat pack
Wrap in washcloth to moderate temps
Insert in your critters cage
Be sure to monitor the heat output with a digital thermometer

:idea:Great idea!!!:idea:​

A case of 72 hour heat packs on hand would certainly reduce the worry factor. You could 'bundle' the enclosure with a blanket to help retain the heat loss through the glass of the small enclosure.

Just leave a little ventilation and monitor the temps. Heat packs start out blistering hot and then drop into an even temp for the given time.

A heat pack inside the Kritter Keeper would be way too much though.

For bigger reptile collections, a generator seems like the best insurance in areas were long power outages are typical.

Good luck to all those having to work through these issues.

:biggrin:Another idea:biggrin:​

If you are building or remodeling, an exteriorly vented gas heater can be a geckosaver and keep you toasty too.

 

[MauricesExoticPets]

Over the past 4 years we lost power twice for extended periods, and had a bad flood. We now own a generator and its function is to power 1 freezer, 1 refrigerator, and the central air equipment.

We run a gas water heater, stove, and furnace so for the most part we can stay warm and fill water bottles with hot water to supplement the reptiles heat needs.

We only have one fish, an oscar, who has done fine with daily water changes and an air stone running off of compressed air tanks.

Though both power outages were bad, the flood did the most damage and caused substantial loss of life in my collection. Some of the reptiles were and to my understanding are still not in US collections (A. vermiculatus for example).

Every disaster teaches you something, mainly that we are fragile and often less ready to withstand the loss of years worth of work and effort in what seems to come in just a flash.

Best of luck to all of my Northerly friends, stay warm.

Maurice Pudlo

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

An inexpensive ventless "blue flame" type propane heater is a cheap and easy and VERY effective thing to have around in such situations. They run off of propane (you can use the same tanks as your bbq grill), need no electric, and can keep entire rooms warm in emergency situations.
There's a ton of sizes, styles, and price ranges. But here's just a couple to give you an idea:

Amazon.com: Mr. Heater F215100 MH4B Little Buddy 3800-BTU Indoor-Safe Propane Heater: Home & Kitchen

PROCOM Blue Flame Wall Heater - 10, 000 BTU Output, 300 Sq. Ft. Heating Capacity - Amazon.com

 

[XoVictoryXo]

So glad your little dude is ok. He is a cutie!
Sorry for your loss Mike
We got hit here in NJ but only 1 ft and luckily we didn't lose power like we did from Sandy.
I plan to also get some emergency heatpacks for all my reptiles. Generators scare me as a lot of people in my town have burnt their houses down using them

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

Never heard of anyone burning their house down with a generator. I'm sure it can happen, but it's not generally a common problem. I live in a rural area where it's not uncommon to lose power during storms and most houses have at least small portable generators if not larger whole house generators. I suppose that, like with most everything in life, it comes down to being educated about what you're doing. Fuel and electricity are nothing to take lightly.