The fear of climate change is often focused solely on heat waves and hurricanes, but those aren’t the only weather events impacted by a looming climate crisis. Research is showing that while the Arctic is getting warmer, we’re going to experience colder and colder winters. Polar vortices and massive blizzards are going to put our infrastructure to the test.
We’ve already seen some of the potential damage that these massive storms can do during the 2021 Texas winter storm that knocked out power and water to millions of homes and businesses. This is likely only the beginning, and we will start seeing more severe blizzards and winter weather moving forward. What does it take to keep your home and family safe during a Category 5 blizzard?
Hurricane vs. Blizzard Categories
Hurricanes and typhoons are rated in categories according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. This scale categorizes the storms based on their wind speed, starting with a Category 1 storm with wind speeds over 74 mph, and topping out at a Category 5 for any storm with wind speeds over 154 mph.
Tornadoes are classified according to the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale, again by wind speed as well as the amount of damage that the tornado caused. EF0 tornadoes cause light damage and generally have winds between 65 and 85 mph. An EF5 tornado, on the other end of the scale, will have winds in excess of 200 mph and will be utterly devastating.
Blizzards and massive winter storms have their own scale: the Northeast Snowfall Impact Scale, or NESIS. Unlike tornadoes and hurricanes, determining the impact of a snowstorm is a bit more complex than what you’d need to do for a tornado or a hurricane. The NESIS scale includes information such as the area of the storm, the overall amount of snowfall, and the number of people living in the path of the storm. This is plugged into a complex formula that comes up with a NESIS value anywhere between 1 and 10 or, more rarely, above. From there, meteorologists can determine what category the storm belongs to.
Storms with a NESIS value of 1 to 2.499 fall on the low end of the scale — a notable Category 1 storm. On the other end is the Category 5 storm, the one with a NESIS value of 10 or above, categorized as Extreme. These massive storms can be incredibly dangerous, leaving millions without power or water.
In areas outside of the Northeastern Region of the United States, meteorologists rely on the Regional Snowfall Index, or RSI. The five descriptions and categories are the same — Notable for Category 1, Significant for Category 2, and so on, up to Extreme for Category 5 — but it works better for smaller regions that may not have as much historical data available for formulas to draw from. Regardless of whether your meteorologist uses NESIS or RSI, if you’re in the path of a Category 5 snowstorm, you need to be ready.
Prep Your Home
Once you know a storm is coming, the first step is going to be to prep your home and make sure that all the hatches are battened down ahead of the oncoming storm. The chances are pretty high that most of your home is designed to weather these storms, but there are a few bullet points that you’ll want to check off before the storm hits.
Pipe Insulation
There is nothing worse than a busted pipe, especially when you’re in the middle of a blizzard and can’t call a plumber to come fix it. Take the time to check any exposed pipes that you have access to. This might include pipes outside, in basements or garages, or under sinks. Make sure everything is well insulated. The pipes inside the walls are usually pretty safe except for extreme circumstances because they are already insulated. It’s not foolproof, especially if interior portions of your home are below freezing for long periods, but it usually won’t cause any problems.
Weatherproofing
Take the time to weatherproof your home. This includes but isn’t limited to:
- Checking the weatherstripping around doors and windows.
- Inspecting and/or replacing the insulation in unfinished areas of garages or attics.
- Sealing windows with plastic.
The goal here is to make sure your home is set up to keep warm air in and cold air out — even if the power is out and you’re utilizing space heaters or a fireplace to keep you warm.
Chimney Maintenance
Speaking of fireplaces, make sure you have your chimney professionally cleaned and maintained for the season long before you need it. Creosote buildup can block your chimney, creating a fire hazard and causing smoke and other dangerous fumes to build up in the room where you’re just trying to stay warm.
Roof Inspection
This is another step that you should take at the beginning of the season before the heavy snows start to fall. A quick roof inspection can spot any small problems before they become large ones. It can save you a lot of hassle in the long run if you don’t have to worry about leaks or your roof caving in once it’s loaded down with snow.
Fuel Refill
If you have a heating system that runs on something other than electricity — natural gas, propane, fuel pellets, etc. — make sure you stock up on the necessary fuel before the storm hits. Getting an emergency delivery in a Category 5 blizzard will be impossible. If you have a fireplace that you’ll use to stay warm, make sure you’ve got plenty of firewood, too.
Invest in Power Options
One of the first things to fail during a massive snowstorm is the power grid, which means you’ll be hard-pressed to keep the lights on, your devices charged, and your home warm and comfortable. Alternative power options can help keep you safe and comfy while you wait for the grid to come back up.
Generators
Gasoline and diesel generators are the most common alternative power option. There are just two major rules to remember with these. First, don’t wire a generator into your home’s main power line. This can create dangerous feedback for linemen working to repair the lines. Second, don’t run a generator indoors or in any place that doesn’t have adequate ventilation.
Solar/Battery
Solar panels might not provide any power in the midst of the storm, but once the storm clouds clear, they can help pick up the slack while you wait for the grid to be restored. You may have to take some time to remove the snow from the panels after the storm, though. Pair them with some battery backups and you may have everything you need until the power comes back on.
Other Power Options
While it may not provide enough power for your home, there are options to help you charge your phone and other mobile devices. BioLite is a portable stove that you can use to burn any sort of renewable biomass — wood, charcoal, etc. — and stay warm. It also converts some of that heat to electricity, storing it in a battery that you can use to charge phones. It gained popularity during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in New York.
Gather Supplies
Once your home is ready and your power sources are sorted, you need to start worrying about supplies. You won’t be able to make a trip to the grocery store once the storm hits and likely not for some time afterward, in the event of a Category 5 storm.
Food
At the very minimum, you want at least 72 hours’ worth of non-perishable food supplies for each person in your home, as well as enough food to keep any pets fed for the same duration. Ideally, you’ll want to try to stock at least two weeks’ worth of supplies.
Water
When you’re prepping for storms, you need to have at least 1 gallon of water available per person per day. Half of it is used for drinking and the other half for cooking and hygiene.
Emergency Supplies
Make sure you’ve got a well-stocked emergency kit, including things like first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, and anything else you might need while you’re sheltering in place. Stock up on any prescription meds that you need as well, so you don’t run out while the pharmacies and doctor’s offices are closed. In many states, if the governor declares a state of emergency, you can obtain an additional 30-day supply of most meds without a refill order, as long as it’s not a controlled substance.
Warm Clothing
Heaters drain a lot of power, and you don’t want to run them while you’re sleeping. Stock up on warm clothing and blankets so you can layer up and stay warm. Opt for multiple thin layers so you can add them on or take them off as necessary to stay comfortable.
Heaters
If you have a generator, space heaters can be a valuable tool to keep spaces warm. Make sure you’re using them according to the directions.
Monitor the Weather
With blizzards, especially bad ones like these, you’ll likely have some warning before it finally strikes. Once you’ve got all your supplies situated and your home prepared, the next step is to simply monitor the weather. Keep a close eye on the storm so you can track when the snow might start falling.
If you don’t already have one, consider picking up an emergency weather radio. Cell phones are great until your local cell tower comes down and you no longer have any service. Emergency weather radios get periodic broadcasts from local weather stations as well as the National Weather Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to keep you apprised of what the storm is doing.
Prep Your Car
Ideally, the best thing to do in a Category 5 blizzard is to hunker down and ride it out, but depending on your location, there could be situations where evacuation is the better solution. Make sure your car is prepped for the storm. This should include a full tank of gas, a tune-up to ensure that it’s not going to break down on you in the middle of the storm, and a set of snow chains or snow tires to provide traction if you have to navigate snowy roads.
You may also wish to create a separate bug-out bag that you can keep in your vehicle. That way, you won’t need to worry about taking the time to load it up with supplies. You can just hop in and go.
Hunker Down
Once you’ve done all your preparations, all that’s left to do is hunker down and wait for the storm. Once the snows begin to fall, try to stay inside as much as possible. Keep all your internal doors closed, and try to spend as much time as you can in one or two rooms. Your body heat will slowly bring up the temperature of the room, but it’s much easier to accomplish this if you’re not trying to warm up the entire space.
After the storm is over, stay put. Heavy snows and deep drifts will make driving dangerous. It may also be impossible to see downed power lines or other debris dropped into the road by the storm. It might take a few days, but eventually, things will go back to normal and you won’t have to worry about it again until the next massive storm starts brewing.
Be Prepared for Anything
Climate change is affecting everything, making our summers hotter, our winters colder, and our storms even more fierce and dangerous. The best way to manage winter storms is to prepare for anything and everything so you’re ready to shelter in place. A Category 5 winter storm might be terrifying, but if you’re prepared for it, and are patient enough to ride it out, then it should be easy to weather.
Before you need them, take the time to weatherproof your home and build your emergency supplies. Trying to collect food, water, and other emergency supplies with a storm looming on the horizon will be difficult and exhausting. If you’re ready for everything long before a storm pops up on the radar, all you have to do is sit back, hunker down, and ride it out. Stay safe out there this winter.
[Note: This was a guest post.]
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