We spent 2 full days preparing for the storm. Moving hay, getting extra grain, running up extra barrels of water, inspecting shelters, bringing in feeders, drained water hoses, put de-icers in water tanks, and then our own needs; extra food, water, ice storm equipment, laundry, dishes...etc.
The storm
At 2am Monday morning (1-31-11) I was awakened by sleet pelting the roof. At 5am it was still sleeting. At 6am I went to milk, thankful it was changing over to snow and there had been very little freezing rain. By 2pm there was a foot of snow. By dark, even more. In the end I think we got a total of about 19 inches.
The next day
-10 degree wind chill. I make my way out to milk, feed and carry water. The snow and drifts are so deep that to goats can not walk. I made a path for them from their shelter to the barn to be milked. Instead of making another path I carried buckets of water to them. I give them extra hay to help them keep warm. Then I'm off to feed babies in another barn, and the dry goats. Some of the drifts are over waist deep. I had to dig IN to the other barn. I was glad I had thought ahead to put the shovel in the house.