https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/this-texas-weather-is-a-chilling-reminder-about-our-battered-power-grid/2021/02/16/a9282ba0-708c-11eb-93be-c10813e358a2_story.htmlUseful analysis. Grid is only as strong as its weakest member.
Finally rose above zero F. today. Several days with lows near minus 20, highs at minus 5 - 10. Had to route a length of flex duct into a crawl space, so that the pipes there (already insulated) wouldn't freeze. Stuffed in more batt insulation. Space heater running constantly in kitchen.
What else... water bottles stored on the basement floor froze. In plastic jugs, fortunately. Chilblains - normally a rare condition, pretty common if you skip wool socks and insulated boots. Pet water bowl near back door iced over. When it's around twenty below, you also get a weird disparity between thermostat temp and temp close to a wall or window. It's only 68 within a couple feet of the thermostat. The cold feels like it's reaching out from the walls and shoving a chilled hand down your neck. Cats basically turn into permanent fixtures on your lap, stomach, or tucked up against the legs. Car batteries fail, have to put them on a charger (get the kind that charges through the cigarette lighter). All dietary discipline lapses. There's a profound urge to put butter on everything.
IOW,
so thankful we had power here. Without it, we'd have to flee to a shelter. Stay warm, you all.