Tips and Tricks: Severe Winter Storm Preparedness

Severe winter storms can be dangerous and challenging to survive in the wrong conditions. Well-informed preparation strategies for potentially lethal winter weather can substantially improve chances of survival, mainly when replaced with the right gear.

Stocking closets or vehicles with get home bags and other essential survival gear is a good starting point. Still, there are many additional steps to take regarding severe winter storm preparedness.

Why Winter Preparation is so Important

Winter storms can last from a few hours to several days, potentially bringing dangerously frigid temperatures, freezing rain and ice, extreme wind gusts, and copious amounts of snow. Blizzards can affect power grids and access to heat and telecommunications services, leaving vulnerable populations in danger of injury or even fatality without proper preparation. Planning for every possible scenario will substantially improve the level of safety afforded to families, young children, the elderly, those with disabilities, and pets throughout dangerous weather.

Accounting for as many possibilities as possible makes planning for severe winter storms much more straightforward. After establishing your bearings (i.e., gauging how many people or pets you are responsible for, where they are located, what they all might need should an emergency arise, etc.), consider the following tips to ensure a solid winter storm preparedness plan.

Understand Weather Service Alerts

Take the time to understand the language used by meteorologists to convey upcoming weather events and their severity levels. For instance, the National Weather Service issues alerts for winter storms and other environmental conditions that may cause disruption, safety hazards, or disaster. Three categories specify which alerts indicate the level of severity as mentioned above:

• Winter Weather Advisory: Snowfall and other winter conditions that could impact travel may begin within the coming week
• Winter Storm Watch: A winter storm will likely begin within 12 to 48 hours, and conditions may include heavy snowfall, ice, and sleet
• Winter Storm Warning: A potentially treacherous winter storm is imminent, and you can expect significant abruptions to travel

Advisories convey the need for awareness but do not necessarily call for immediate preparation. On the other hand, a storm watch implies that you should take precautionary measures and prepare strategies. Warnings indicate that severe weather conditions are looming and will likely require shelter in place. It would be best if you also put preparation plans into action immediately.

Other terms to keep note of include blizzard, snow squall, and wind chill. A blizzard is a sudden and large-scale winter storm that generates formidable weather conditions, such as subzero temperatures, extremely low visibility, and high winds lasting anywhere from a few hours to several days.

A snow squall is a sudden but generally short-lasting snowstorm caused by a sweeping cold front that quickly drops the temperature and impedes visibility. The wind chill measures what the outside air feels against human skin by cross-referencing temperature with wind speed. Some terms and definitions may differ according to region, so it is best to keep informed with your local weather station.

Stock Up on Survival Gear Before Winter

Long before the winter season begins, your home and vehicle should be well-stocked with survival gear and anything else that might be useful in an emergency. If winter has already started, gather what you need as soon as possible or when local weather stations issue an advisory. There should be enough supplies to account for each household member and any pets or at-risk neighbors. These should include the following:

• First aid station: A kit of well-organized medical supplies and life-saving equipment, as well as prescription medications
• Get home bags: Also known as bug-out or go bags, these are durable duffle or hiking bags that include tools, safety gear, hygiene kits, batteries, meals, sleeping bags, and other survival supplies
• Emergency food bucket: An airtight container filled with nonperishable food items, such as energy bars and freeze-dried fruit, vegetables, or meat

Ensure constant access to the essential survival gear listed above, and check that all necessary provisions are where you expect them to be before a severe winter storm hits. It would be best if you also replaced basic supplies with other items that can provide aid in an emergency, including entertainment.

Extra blankets and clothes, a deck of cards, board games, and books can go a long way to keep discomfort and boredom at bay. Besides your get home bags, it would be wise to consider investing in a pet emergency kit for the emergency care of a beloved cat or dog in the home.

Prepare Your Home and Vehicles

Your shelter during a severe winter storm is your sanctuary; you should keep it as safe and sealed off as possible. Winterize your pipes, insulate walls, and fortify windows and doors with caulk and weather stripping before any oncoming weather emergency. Additionally, keep these resources in mind before, during, or after a severe winter storm:

• WEA: Wireless Emergency Alerts are messages sent to U.S.-based cell phones by government authorities to warn citizens of any oncoming threats, including severe winter storms
• NOAA Weather Radio: A network of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration radio stations that broadcast weather and emergency information 24/7; you can access on the VHF public service band with a radio receiver
• LIHEAP: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program can assist with heating bills, especially after surges from an increased energy draw

Take advantage of these and any other resources that may provide vital information or assistance in the event of a severe winter storm. Also, be sure to plan to gather your family and pets into communal rooms that can be blocked off for heat retention, and ensure that there is at least one available heat source that does not require an electrical outlet. Take care to prevent any carbon monoxide poisoning or fire hazards, as these mishaps are common in winter storms. 

Rely on Expert Knowledge to Survive Severe Winter Storms

Fully stocked get home bags, a first aid station, and an emergency food bucket should be kept on hand at all times during the winter – this is the key to severe winter storm preparedness. To comprehensively understand what it takes to prepare for extreme weather and other emergencies, seek expert knowledge from essential survival gear specialists. It is never too early to put a plan in place or stock up on supplies regarding severe winter storms.