Winter Storms: What You Need for Snow and Ice Emergencies

A few winters ago, a family living in a relatively mild climate assumed that their usual winter prep—mainly relying on space heaters and a thin stock of canned goods—would suffice for the season. But when a major winter storm hit their area, temperatures plummeted, and heavy snow caused widespread power outages. Their house quickly became dangerously cold, their pipes froze, and their food supplies dwindled quickly. Worse yet, they were completely snowed in and couldn’t even make it to the nearest grocery store. What started as an inconvenience became a life-threatening situation simply because they hadn’t planned for the possibility of a more severe winter storm.

During the Texas winter storm that devastated homes and families just a few years ago, residents who usually experience mild winters, were blindsided by unprecedented snowfall, ice, and freezing temperatures. With power grids down for days, thousands of people were left without heat, and the inability to drive on icy roads left many cut off from essential supplies. Pipes burst in countless homes, causing extensive damage, and many people struggled to stay warm and hydrated. Clearly, even areas unaccustomed to harsh winters aren’t immune to the dangers of snow and ice storms.

If these stories sound like they hit close to home, it’s time to reconsider your winter preparedness strategy. Snow and ice storms can strike anywhere, and the consequences of being unprepared can range from uncomfortable to catastrophic. So whether you’re bracing for an expected winter or live in a place where snow seems like a distant possibility, having the right winter storm essentials is not just a good idea—it could be a lifesaver.

The Risks of Being Unprepared for Winter Storms

Before diving into the essentials, it’s important to understand why preparing for winter storms is crucial, even in areas that don’t typically experience heavy snow or ice. Winter storms can cause:

Power Outages: Ice accumulations and heavy snow can knock down tree branches and power lines, leaving you without heat and electricity for days or longer.
Frozen Pipes: When temperatures drop below freezing, water pipes can freeze and burst, leading to costly damage and limited access to clean water.
Travel Disruptions: Snow and ice can make roads impassable, leaving you stranded at home or, worse, stuck in a vehicle if you do get out.
Limited Access to Supplies: Grocery stores may close, or shelves could be quickly cleared out by panicked shoppers. If you’re not stocked up, you may find yourself running out of food, water, or other critical supplies. Don’t let this happen to you!

Limiting Damage to Your Home

If you know that a winter storm is coming, you’ll want to take action to limit the damage to water pipes because the aftermath from burst pipes could become a nightmare:

There are some additional concerns, such as ice buildup to gutters:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibvf95RYJwc

This is also prime time for house fires! Ensure you have fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and a fire escape plan.

What You Need to Be Ready

While some essentials overlap with general preparedness, winter storms come with their own unique challenges. Here’s a list of what you’ll need to stay safe, warm, and maybe even comfortable during the storm.

1. Warmth and Shelter

It should go without saying that keeping warm is a top priority when temperatures drop, especially if the power goes out. Here are a few items that can help:

Blankets and Sleeping Bags: Opt for thermal or heavy-duty sleeping bags rated for cold weather. These will help retain body heat when the temperatures drop indoors. Look at garage sales or thrift stores for deals. Buy more than you think you’ll need, either for yourself or others.
Hand and Foot Warmers: Disposable hand warmers are an easy way to keep extremities warm. They’re inexpensive and easy to store in your emergency kit.
Portable Heaters: A propane or kerosene heater can provide warmth if the power goes out, but make sure it’s rated for indoor use and always follow safety guidelines to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, which is deadly! And, of course, keep additional fuel handy because space heaters often use fuel quickly.
Firewood and a Fireplace: If you have a wood-burning fireplace, make sure you have a good supply of dry firewood, matches or lights, and fire starters on hand. It can’t hurt to pre-cut kindling, too. Keep this firewood covered from the rain and off the ground so it doesn’t rot. And ensure your chimney flue has been cleaned and inspected regularly.
Thermal Clothing: Layers are essential. Stock up on thermal underwear, wool socks, hats, gloves, and insulated coats. Avoid cotton, as it retains moisture and can make you colder if wet.

2. Water Supply

It’s easy to overlook the need for water during winter storms, but frozen pipes or damaged infrastructure can leave you without access to clean water.

Water Jugs: Store at minimum one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and basic hygiene. For a three-day storm, that’s at least three gallons per person. Honestly, the more the merrier; I usually recommend five gallons per person per day for two weeks as a good start.
Water Purification Methods: If your primary water supply is compromised, having a water filter or purification tablets on hand can ensure that any available water source is safe to drink. But you might also have to thaw water, which could be exceedingly difficult … all the more reason to stockpile clean water for just such an emergency.
Water for Hygiene: Keep extra water for washing hands and flushing toilets, though it’s likely that your toilets will freeze. Speaking of which, if you believe you’ll be without power during a winter storm for days, you might want to go ahead and drain your toilets so they don’t crack.

Note: Most of us aren’t accustomed to our homes (and the supplies inside) being frozen solid. This could include water storage, water bottles, canned food, and more. Plan ahead and consider how you can keep these items from freezing because they could burst or otherwise become compromised in ways you didn’t realize. If this means moving these items to the only room with a fireplace, then do that.

3. Food and Cooking

Being snowed in is not the time to consider a run to the grocery store. Stock up on non-perishable foods that don’t require cooking, but also have a plan for how you’ll prepare meals if the power goes out.

Non-Perishable Food: Canned goods, freeze-dried meals, protein bars, peanut butter, nuts, and crackers are great options. Remember to include a manual can opener!
Alternative Cooking Methods: A camping stove or propane-powered grill can be a lifesaver if you can’t use your kitchen appliances. Make sure to use them outdoors or in very well-ventilated areas to avoid carbon monoxide buildup or accidental fires. Truthfully, just use these stoves outdoors, like you’re supposed to, even if it’s freezing cold out because the cost of getting this wrong can be deadly.
Snacks: Keep a stash of high-energy snacks like trail mix, chocolate, and jerky. These provide a quick energy boost and don’t require any preparation.

4. Lighting and Power

Winter storms often knock out power, leaving you in the dark and without a way to charge essential electronics. Here’s how to stay powered up:

Flashlights and Lanterns: Stock up on LED flashlights, battery-powered lanterns, and plenty of extra batteries. Headlamps are also handy for hands-free lighting and highly recommended for most survival scenarios.
Solar Chargers: A solar charger can help keep your phone and small electronics charged, even when the grid is down. But you might have difficulty charging anything during the winter or, at least, a highly reduced charging ability.
Battery Banks: Keep a few fully charged battery banks on hand to recharge phones and other essential electronics during an outage. But only, and I mean only, use them for emergency purposes, such as keeping your phone charged for communications or weather alerts … not for Candy Crush.

5. Tools and Supplies

Snow and ice bring their own set of physical challenges. Be ready with the following:

Shovels: You’ll need a sturdy snow shovel to clear paths around your home. In deeper snow, having a backup shovel is a good idea.
Ice Melt: Keep bags of ice melt or rock salt handy to keep walkways and driveways clear and prevent slips and falls; get a brand that’s pet-friendly/non-toxic, if needed.
Car Emergency Kit: If you must travel, make sure your car is stocked with an emergency kit that includes blankets, food, water, flares, and a first aid kit. Try to keep your gas tank topped off before the storm hits. It’s also possible to use your vehicle for emergency warmth, but fuel will run out quickly; keep some gasoline stashed, rotated yearly (and treated with fuel stabilizer), if feasible.
Snow Boots, Snow Bibs: Walking around in knee-deep snow with frozen feet is no fun. Get appropriate outerwear if you must be outside. Same goes for coats, insulated gloves, caps, masks, and so on. Even if you don’t think you’ll use them, it never hurts to have such items on-hand or risk a very unpleasant, even deadly, experience.

6. First Aid and Health

Winter storms increase the likelihood of accidents, like slipping on ice or frostbite from exposure to cold. Be prepared with the following:

First Aid Kit: Make sure it includes supplies for treating cuts, sprains, and burns. Don’t forget medications for any pre-existing conditions.
Cold Weather Gear: I already mentioned these, but hats, gloves, scarves, and proper footwear are essential for anyone who needs to go outside; this includes for children and pets. Yes, they make boots for dogs, but good luck getting your furry friends to wear them.
Heating Pads: These can provide temporary relief for cold muscles or help keep vulnerable people warm. In fact, a simple heated mat, connected to a portable power station can work wonders, but you’ll pay for the convenience, that’s for sure.

7. Communication and Information

Staying informed during a storm can be critical to your safety. Make sure you have the following on hand:

NOAA Weather Radio: They can be annoying at times, trust me, but they can also provide you with pertinent information about the storm and other disasters. I recommend having a quality radio as a backup warning option; the Midland WR400 is a good choice (I own the WR300) as cheaper options don’t do things that the better ones do.
Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Radio: If the internet goes down, a weather radio can keep you updated on storm conditions, road closures, and emergency alerts. And, although I don’t like hand-crank anything, it’s better than nothing.
Emergency Contacts: Keep a list of emergency phone numbers and a corded landline phone (yeah, those still exist!), since cell towers may be down during an outage but your landline phone may still work … maybe.
A Way to Charge Your Phones: This has been covered already (and many times elsewhere on my blog) but if you can keep your phone charged AND you have the right smartphone apps, then you’ll be in much better shape than those who ignored one of your most power survival tools.

8. Entertainment

Long winter nights without power can feel even longer if you don’t have something to keep everyone entertained.

Books, Board Games, and Puzzles: These provide a fun, low-tech way to pass the time and keep minds occupied.
Outdoor Games: If it’s safe to do so, play in the snow! Sledding, snowball fights, or building a snow fort can be a great way to stay active and positive.

Don’t Get Caught Off Guard This Winter

Whether you live in an area that’s accustomed to harsh winters or a region where snowstorms are rare, preparation is key to weathering winter storms safely. Don’t make the mistake of assuming you’ll get by without proper planning because the cost of not being prepared could range from serious damage to your home to putting your family’s safety at risk.

Make sure you’re ready for whatever winter throws your way with a well-rounded plan that covers warmth, food, water, shelter, power, and so much more. For a more comprehensive survival strategy, including what to do in a number of serious situations, consider my 5 Minute Survival Blueprint course. It will equip you with everything you need to be fully prepared for winter storms and other emergencies. Don’t wait until the next storm is knocking on your door—take action now.