How to Prepare for a Winter Storm

Co-authored by Steve Linton

Last Updated: January 10, 2023 References Approved

Is Mother Nature's snow and ice extravaganza hitting your area hard this year? Having a few emergency supplies on hand can save you a lot of discomfort and trouble when the storm hits. Stock up on items you need to survive so you can go without leaving your house for a few days. And, by the way, don't forget to keep the tools to help you leave at hand. Once the storm begins, cuddle up, stay informed, and stay warm.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Stocking Up Before the Storm

1
Get a snow shovel. Get a quality snow shovel so you can dig yourself out if need be. You may also need to shovel to dig your car out once the storm is over.^{[1]
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Research source}
- Try the shovel out before you buy it. Check that you can use it comfortably, especially if you have physical challenges.
- Consider getting a small snow shovel to dig the snow out of smaller corners.
- Rock salt is not an effective snow melter. While it can melt snow, a shovel will move much more snow quickly.
  - Rock salt and other ice melt treatments are meant for ice, and not effective for snow. If you need to remove snow do so physically.
  - Rock salt and other ice melters can be devastating for your local water and soil, as well as your vehicles and sidewalk. If you must use chemical treatments on paved surfaces, use it only when necessary and only where needed.
2
Buy flashlights and battery-powered lamps. Put fresh batteries in your lamps and flashlights if a storm is coming. Go for a model that can power your cell phone if you can.^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- You can even make a homemade flashlight.
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3
Stock up on candles and holders. In case your flashlight suddenly gives out or you run out of batteries, you can light your home the old-fashioned way.
- LED candles and lanterns are a safer alternative to traditional candles.
- Fire from candles during a blackout is a real risk, especially with small children. If you use candles, put them in safe holders. Keep them away from anything flammable never leave them unattended, and put them out before going to bed.^{[3]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
4
Fill some shelves with non-perishable food. Stock up on canned soups and vegetables, powdered food, and grains like rice and pasta. Make sure you have enough to last your family at least three or four days. Find a hand-operated can-opener too.
- Eat the perishable food first. The non-perishable items are for eating if there is a prolonged emergency. The perishables should be used up first.
- Cook meats ahead of time to make them safer if the power goes up. Uncooked hamburger meat is dangerous within hours, but cooked may be safe for quite some time. ^{[4]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
- If you drink coffee, consider methods that do not require electricity: French press style, for example, or instant coffee. Your drip coffee pot or Keurig may not work.
- If you have pets, be sure to stock up on pet food as well.
5
Fill up some containers of water. If you're worried about the pipes freezing, stock up on some water. You can buy it bottled – either in small bottles or in gallon jars. You can also simply recycle a few gallon jugs or purchase some, then fill them from the tap.
- Consider drinking water and cooking use. You may need more than you think when it comes to not only drinking but for cooking as well.
- Fill up your bathtub if you have one.
- You may need water for flushing the toilet. Water can be manually added to the tank after a flush. ^{[5]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
6
Gather blankets and warm clothing. You may already have these items, but remember you will need enough blankets to keep you warm without any heat and in adverse conditions. Consider purchasing mittens, thick woolen socks, and a hooded sweatshirt, if you don't already own these items.^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
7
Locate your first aid kit. You never know what kind of injuries or emergencies will happen when the lights go out. Buy a first aid kit if you don't have one, and familiarize yourself with the contents.
- Check through your kit to make sure you have sterile bandages, disinfectants, antibiotic ointment, and over-the-counter painkillers available.
8
Get your hands on a camping stove or grill. A gas-powered camping stove is a wise investment for any emergency. If you have an electric stove in the kitchen a camp stove is almost a necessity. Be sure you use it with proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, and have plenty of backup fuel.
9
Find some matches. You can use these to light your gas range, camping stove, and candles. Do not rely on lighters, as these can run out of fuel or break down all too easily.^{[7]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
10
Ensure you have a phone you can use. Get a cordless cellphone charger if you can. Landline phones work during power outages because the power comes from the phone company. However, cordless home phones will not work when the power is out.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Many states require at least one wall plugged phone, which receives power from the telephone connection, in all households.
11
Stock up on diapers, formula, and baby food. If you have an infant, make sure you have a few days of supplies for them. Consider getting disposable diapers, as you may not be able to do laundry.^{[9]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Buy powdered milk, as fresh milk may spoil.
12
Get a refill on your prescription medications. If you're not due for a refill, call your doctor and explain that you're worried about running out during the storm. Get enough to last you for several days.
- In some states, pharmacies are permitted to issue emergency refills when there's a dangerous weather alert. Check your state's regulations. However, it does not good to have medicine available at the pharmacy if you are unable to get through the roads. ^{[10]
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  Research source}
13
Consider investing in a battery-operated radio. It's best not to rely on cell service or wireless connections during a storm. With a radio, you can get news without wall power. Make sure the batteries are good. You can buy a motion charging radio, as you can with a flashlight.^{[11]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Planning Far in Advance

1
Winterize your home. Protecting your house and outbuildings from the cold can save you a lot of money and hassle down the line. Insulate walls and attics, caulk and weather-strip doors and windows, and install storm windows or cover windows with plastic.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Steve Linton
Custom Home Builder
Expert Interview. 16 September 2020.}
- Clear rain gutters and repair roof leaks to avoid clogging and flooding.
- Cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm.^{[13]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Steve Linton
  Custom Home Builder
  Expert Interview. 16 September 2020.}
- Consider hiring a contractor to check the structural strength of the roof. Make sure your roof can sustain the unusually heavyweight of snow and ice.
- Insulate pipes and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid them freezing.^{[14]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Steve Linton
  Custom Home Builder
  Expert Interview. 16 September 2020.}
- Make sure your furnace has been serviced recently.^{[15]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Barry Zakar
  Handyman
  Expert Interview. 16 July 2020.}
- Consider upgrading to dual-pane windows if you don't already have them.^{[16]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Barry Zakar
  Handyman
  Expert Interview. 16 July 2020.}
2
Invest in a carbon monoxide detector. If you ever need to run a gas stove inside your home for heat or cooking, you'll want a carbon monoxide detector on hand.^{[17]
X
Expert Source

Steve Linton
Custom Home Builder
Expert Interview. 16 September 2020.} Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, but deadly.
3
Keep your supplies fresh. Check the batteries in your flashlights every so often, and make sure you have enough potable water and non-perishable food to last your family at least 48 hours. Once every year or two, replace your current stock of canned goods with a fresh batch
4
Consider investing in a generator. If the power frequently goes out where you live, consider getting a portable or stationary electrical generator. Generators cost anywhere from $400 to $10,000 dollars.^{[18]
X
Trustworthy Source
Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
Go to source}
- Run the generator outdoors. Do not run it in your house or garage.
- Plug equipment directly into the generator. Do not use your home's electrical system while the power is out, as this could harm utility crews.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Staying Safe During the Storm

1
Keep the heat in. Losing heat is uncomfortable, but you can survive it if you keep yourself warm.^{[19]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Stop your pipes from freezing. Go around your house and turn on every faucet so that it's dripping just slightly. Keeping the water moving through the pipes should help prevent them from freezing.
- Seal up any drafts. Put towels at the bottom of any doors that have a gap, or around drafty windows. If your windows are single-paned, close the curtains or pin a blanket up over them to keep the heat in.
2
Keep yourself warm. Bundle up in warm clothes and stay near your loved ones. If you're all in a room together you'll help keep each other warm with your body heat.
- Dress in layers. Put on a thin layer of synthetic clothing close to your skin and cover as much of your body as you can. Long underwear or warm leggings will help. On top of that, wear as many layers as you need to keep warm, finishing with a pair or two of warm socks and a sweatshirt or coat with a hood.
- Wear a head covering. You lose a lot of heat from the top of your head, so keep it covered. If you don't have hooded clothing, wrap a scarf or towel around your head, or put on a warm winter hat.
- Stay in bed. Put as many covers as you need onto your bed, and hop in. Keeping your body heat in an enclosed space under the sheets will help you stay as warm as possible.
- Cuddle up. Join forces with a freezing roommate, family member, and even the family pets.
3
Keep the fridge closed as much as possible. This will help it stay cool despite the lack of power, and keep your food from spoiling as quickly. Only open the refrigerator when it's necessary, grab what you need, and close it up.^{[20]
X
Trustworthy Source
FoodSafety.gov
Online portal combining food safety information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Food Safety and Inspection Service, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Go to source}
- Place frozen items outside. Make use of Mother Nature's freezer, and put them in a snowbank outside. If temperatures are below freezing, you could also keep refrigerated items on an enclosed porch.
4
Plan some entertainment. It can help you stave off boredom while you wait for the power to return.
- Play cards. Use a classic deck for games like Blackjack, Poker, War, Go Fish, Crazy Eights, or Egyptian Ratscrew.
- Read a book (to yourself, or aloud for others). Try to pick an engrossing epic that will keep you engaged and entertained for hours, such as the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Harry Potter novels, or whatever interesting book you happen to be reading.
- Get artsy. Draw on pads of paper, or do handcrafts like crocheting or knitting.
5
Stay updated. Having current information is vital in an emergency, so make arrangements to stay informed.
- Watch updates on the news or listen to the radio for as long as you can before the power goes out.
- Use social media for updates. If you don't have access to a battery-operated radio, follow national and local disaster agencies (such as FEMA) on Facebook and Twitter. Check periodically for updates.
- Use SMS messaging if your land-line service is down. You can send an SMS via basic text messaging, or through Twitter updates. Get the phone numbers or Twitter handles of all your family members, keep them handy, and make sure they know how to reach you.
- Keep tabs on your family members. Try to find out where everyone is before the storm and make a plan to stay in a safe location. If you're going to be separated from anyone, set up a pre-determined time and method for touching base again (such as connecting via text message every 12 hours).

Expert Q&A

Question

What can I do to protect my home from storms?

Steve Linton
Custom Home Builder
Steve Linton is the President of Deltec Homes, a custom home building company in Asheville, North Carolina. With nearly 20 years of experience, he oversees all home building projects for Deltec Homes. He specializes in hurricane-resistant homes, green home design, and sustainable building. Steve holds a BS in Structural Engineering from Cornell University and is a LEED Accredited Professional.

Steve Linton

Custom Home Builder

Expert Answer

If you have the opportunity to design the home from scratch, you can make it so that it can withstand harsh weather conditions. It should be well equipped to survive when there is a shortage of resources, such as water, power, and fuel.
Question

What are the precautions you should take before a storm?

Steve Linton
Custom Home Builder
Steve Linton is the President of Deltec Homes, a custom home building company in Asheville, North Carolina. With nearly 20 years of experience, he oversees all home building projects for Deltec Homes. He specializes in hurricane-resistant homes, green home design, and sustainable building. Steve holds a BS in Structural Engineering from Cornell University and is a LEED Accredited Professional.

Steve Linton

Custom Home Builder

Expert Answer

Ensure that the water lines exposed to freezing temperatures are well insulated. Check the chimneys and heating systems and make sure they are in good working condition. Upgrade the insulation of your home. Keep smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors that have a battery backup. See that the area around the house is free from old tree branches that could fall during the storm.

Warnings

One of the first things you need to do during a blackout is unplug anything that's in a wall outlet. Power can come back in spikes, which can cause severe damage.

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Never use charcoal or a propane heater in an enclosed area without proper ventilation. Carbon monoxide can build up. Silent and odorless, it is deadly. Cook on the back porch or near an open window.

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During a power outage, don't use data to play online games or text friends. You may need to call someone or check the status of the outage.

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Things You'll Need

Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment
Canned food
Can opener
Battery-powered radio
Flashlights
Batteries
A self-powered radio and a self-powered flashlight. Batteries will run down eventually, especially if you live in a remote area that is iced in. Some models will also charge your cell phone.
Coleman stove or grill
Enough fuel to run the stove
Blankets
Lots of clothing
Water
First aid kit
Foot and hand warmer packs
Matches
Extra hats, socks, and mittens
Any necessary medications
Non-electric entertainment: books, cards, board games, etc.
Portable fire extinguisher
Pet supplies: food, litter, and water for your pet to drink. An emergency shelter lined up (who will take pets) in case you need to evacuate.