Well, even if the storm was gonna come, wouldn't that wipe out the electricity anyway?

We just went thru a nasty blizzard in south dakota. The forecast called for 6-12" of snow, and instead, we got 40 inches. It rained 12hrs straight, then 48hrs of blizzard conditions and up to 70mph winds. Thousands of cattle and horses died because they hadn't grown in their winter coat yet. They either froze to death, or suffocated in the snow drifts, some where over 10ft deep. Our power was out for 2 days, some are still without power and it happened about 8 days ago. Also, I packed some of our freezer meat in the snow to stay frozen, and for some reason it defrosted and went bad. Despite being packed into snow. Luckily we had plenty of canned food and water still worked, and a wood burning fireplace.

... wow dumbass. Emergancy supplies are not supposed to be dependant on electricity. Although perhaps you don't live somewhere with frequcent storms?

You're an idiot for stocking up on groceries instead of canned goods. You're an idiot for forgetting blizzards takes out power lines, and you're an idiot for not just putting the food outside.

Op now is a good time to come up with a storm kit list of things you will need for any storm. Next time one comes, stick to the list. Refrain from panic and going over board. Since you are in the middle of a storm, it will be easy to see what you need and what you don't. Usually, most perishables can stay off of the list. I kept one for blizzards when I lived north. I keep one for hurricanes in the south. I keep extra water bottles and non perishables around during storm season as well, buying a little at a time so I'm not hit with a big bill before one. Preparation is more about planning then reacting. If this is your first storm season there fyl. If you've been there long enough to know better, ydi.

You stocked up for a blizzard... What possessed you to buy perishable food?!

Put it outside

Emergency food supplies are usually items that do not require immediate refrigeration. Also it should be food that can be eaten without further preparation if you don't have a camp stove. Maybe you should have kept this in mind. So, next time maybe focus on those two characteristics. Buy water, beer, bread, whole smoked cured sausages (I.e. salami), canned goods (fruit, veggies, fish, meats, bread ... yes there is even canned bread, at least in my country)

i live in iowa and we always throw our stuff out in the snow :)

I have a propane stove that can light without power, my plan when the last big storm came through was to make blizzard stew out of everything in the fridge if power went out. chop up all the meats and veggies and fish throw it in a large stock pot boil then reduce to simmer until the storm passes the frozen food can just go outside or you can take bottles of water freeze them outside and bring them in and stuff them in the freezer to keep it cold, but not everything in the fridge will freeze well.