Snow in Los Amoles, Moroleon, Guanajuato March 2016
Yes, La Yacata is in central Guanajuato and the average daily temperature in the state of Guanajuato is 65 degrees F (18.1 degrees C), but a blizzard is possible, especially in light of global climate change. In fact, in March 2016, Los Amoles, which is another municipality of Moroleon at a higher elevation than La Yacata, did in fact, experience a blizzard.
So, looking at what the experts suggest in the event of a blizzard, how does La Yacata (or rather the Flores family in La Yacata) rate for preparedness?
In the event of a blizzard, make sure you have:
1. Working flashlight (check) We always have at least one flashlight that is fully charged. Overall, we’ve found the cranky handle type to be the best value for the money.
2. A charged cell phone (check) We charge our phones with the car battery inverter or power banks. Although I don’t rightly know who we’d call. I suppose it would be good to keep our emergency status updated on Facebook!
3. Battery-powered radio or television (check) We have a rechargeable radio, but no TV. I expect this is to be informed about changes in the weather conditions, although both serve as a nice distraction when cooped up indoors. Instead of the TV, we do have portable DVD players.
4. Extra food, water, and medicine (check) My thyroid medicine is issued in 6 months supply quantities. I doubt a blizzard would last that long. We have an aljibe (dry well) and 2-3 tinacos (water storage containers) for water storage. We also keep a good supply of beans and rice for when there just isn’t anything else. We have milk when the goats are lactating and eggs when the chickens are laying.
5. First Aid Supplies (check)We keep a small first aid kit on hand. We also have aloe growing out back for burns and wound treatment although, in the event of a blizzard, we might have to dig it out.
6. Heating fuel (check) We not only have a small supply of mesquite wood but a chimney in which to burn it as well. And remember, cow patties and horse poop burn pretty darn good and we have a good source for both of those!
7. Emergency heating source (check) Our lovely chimney, of course.
8. Fire extinguishers (NOPE) But, I must say that only in one place in the 10 odd residences I have lived has there been a fire extinguisher available. And in that case, it did come in handy when my refrigerator caught on fire.
9. Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors (NOPE) We ought to maybe look into these for La Yacata.
Not on the official list but I would also recommend:
–a Kindle or other reading material (check) We have a kindle and a nice large library to keep the cabin fever at bay.
—non-electric cooking device (check) Our stove uses gas and our entire kitchen is fully functional without electricity.
1. Move all animals to an enclosed shelter (check) Although our chickens roost outside and the goat area is outside, both areas have a roof and 2 walls. We also have enough room to move all the animals into a 3 walled area with our horses in necessary.
2. Bring extra feed to nearby feeding areas (check) With our recent remodel of Joey‘s stall, we have a nice area to store food.
3. Have an extra water supply easily available (check) Our aljibe (dry well) is right in our back yard and our tinacos (water storage containers) are up on the roof of the first floor.
So as you can see, we are fully prepared in the event of a blizzard or two here in La Yacata!
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Surviving Mexico 