Winter Storm Survival Guide: What to Do Before, During, and After the Storm

Winter storms can bring life to a standstill, causing power outages, travel hazards, and life-threatening extreme cold. Proper preparation is crucial to staying safe. From understanding the difference between storm watches and warnings to creating emergency kits and ensuring your home and car are winter-ready, this guide provides actionable tips for navigating the challenges of winter weather, including avoiding frostbite, hypothermia, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Whether preparing for the next storm or responding to one now, these steps will help protect your family and ensure you stay warm, safe, and informed throughout the season. 

Understanding Winter Storm Watches and Warnings

Understanding storm watches and warnings is essential for being prepared. Here’s a breakdown of what they mean. 

Winter Storm Watches

A watch means that winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. If you get a watch, review your winter storm safety plans, check all your supplies, and keep checking for updates on changing weather conditions.

Winter Storm Warnings

When you get a warning, it means that potentially life-threatening, severe winter conditions have already begun or will begin within 24 hours. This is the time to hunker down and stay warm.

Blizzard Warning

Blizzard warnings mean that sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more and considerable falling or blowing snow are now or will soon reduce visibility to less than a ¼ mile and are expected to last three hours or more.

Ice Storm Warning

An ice storm warning means that ½ inch or more of freezing rain has begun falling or will soon begin. 

What Should You Do Before a Winter Storm? 

• Winterize your home with good insulation and ensure the caulking and weather stripping around your doors and windows are in good condition.
• Get indoor and outdoor thermometers to monitor your local temperatures. 
• Prepare a stay-at-home kit for winter safety, including 3 days’ worth of non-perishable foods, 3 gallons of drinking water, essential medicines for each family member, including pets. It should also include a first aid kit, blankets, rechargeable LED flashlights, and warm clothing for each family member. 
• You should also prepare a go-kit with at least three days of food, water, medicine, blankets, warm clothes, coats, hats, scarves, and gloves for every family member in a bin you can grab and go quickly. Include a first aid kit, rechargeable lights, an emergency whistle, and a portable charger like the EcoFlow Rapid Magnetic Power Bank.
• Prepare an emergency plan with your family and neighbors so everyone knows how to stay safe. Include a plan for what to do if family members are not home and have an evacuation plan and a meeting place in case your house is unsafe; a public library, shopping mall, or community shelter are all good choices.  
• Always be prepared for power outages. EcoFlow Portable Power Stations come in various sizes, from mini generators to whole-home generator solutions. If you have many essential appliances, you will want a powerful unit like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3. It offers 4000W of output with an expandable capacity of up to 48kW. 
• Those in rural areas with frequent outages must prepare for long-term power outages. While your portable power stations can still be recharged with DC car plugs or solar panels if the power is out, sometimes those are unavailable. In that case, the EcoFlow Smart Generator 4000 (Dual Fuel) is an excellent choice. This super-efficient inverter generator can be recharged with AC, DC, solar, gasoline, or propane for versatile options. Remember, if you use fossil fuels, you must run it outdoors and run a heavy-duty extension cord inside your home to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. 
• Depending on your home, you may need an electric space heater to stay warm. The EcoFlow Wave 2 Portable AC is a great choice. It also works as a heater and lasts up to 8 hours wirelessly on a charge, and you can recharge it on your power station. 
• Prepare your car. Ensure there’s antifreeze in the radiator and that you have a roadside emergency kit. Also, ensure your tank is at least half full in case of an emergency, and the gas pumps are down. 
• Have winter clothing, including a coat, hat, gloves, scarves or balaclavas, warm socks, and warm boots, ready by the door if you need to go outdoors. 
• Invest in a good-quality snow shovel to keep your walkways safe. Ice-melting products are also helpful for areas prone to ice. 
• Have at least one family member trained in basic first aid, including CPR. Make sure everyone knows how to spot and treat frostbite and hypothermia. 
• Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they’re working. 
• Insulate your pipes and ensure you know how to keep them from freezing. 
• Sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government and monitor the local weather and news. Ensure you have a portable power station to keep your phone, internet, or radio working to stay connected and informed on current and future conditions.

What to Do During a Winter Storm 

• Stay warm indoors to prevent frostbite or hypothermia. Only go outside if absolutely necessary, and wear plenty of warm layers if you do. If you see signs of frostbite or hypothermia, act fast and gently warm the body. Do not apply anything hot to someone in that condition, as the shock can cause more harm. If someone starts to feel confused, drowsy, or slur their speech, seek medical attention immediately.  
• To prevent fires, use space heaters and fireplaces cautiously. Keep anything flammable (paper, wood, clothing, etc.) at least 3 feet away from heat sources.
• Use rechargeable LED lights or flashlights instead of candles.  
• Run fossil fuel generators outdoors and keep them away from doors and windows. Use a heavy-duty outdoor extension cord to run power inside your home. 
• Never use fossil fuel generators, camp stoves, or BBQs indoors, and never use a gas kitchen oven for heating because of the risk of lethal carbon monoxide poisoning, which, sadly, is common during outages when people use fossil fuels to stay warm or cook. If you do and start feeling sick or dizzy, turn it off immediately and get fresh air into your home. A portable power station is always best for indoor use to run electric heaters and grills since they use batteries instead of dangerous fossil fuels. 
• Stay updated on weather, power outages, and road conditions on your phone or radio.

How to Stay Safe While Driving in Winter Weather 

• Only drive in an emergency; try to avoid driving at night if possible. 
• Plan your route, check the weather, road conditions, and news for possible obstructions, and plan a backup route. 
• Never travel alone if you can avoid it, and always let someone know where you’re going, how you’ll get there, and when you should arrive. 
• Always keep your car at least half full of gas, or more if you live in a remote area, in case the gas station pumps are not working. 
• Prepare your vehicle emergency supplies kit. It should have a first aid kit, tire repair kit, reflective roadside triangle, jumper cables, flares, tow rope, utility knife, LED lights, trash bags, a small shovel, and an emergency whistle. Also, have extra clothing, raincoats, mittens, socks, and hats for every family member, spare blankets, non-perishable healthy snacks, plus several bottles of water. When you leave, bring some warm tea or broth in a thermos.
• Bring your cell phone and make sure your battery is charged. You can also carry your EcoFlow DELTA Series Portable Power Station, so you’ll still have power. 
• If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle and wait for help. Put out your triangle reflector, or hang a brightly colored cloth on your antenna. When the snow stops falling, pop open your hood to show people you are in trouble. Don’t leave the engine running continuously to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Instead, turn it on for 10 minutes each hour and turn the heat and overhead lights on while running. Ensure your exhaust pipe is clear of snow, and leave a window slightly cracked for ventilation. 
• When the engine is not running, clap your hands and move your arms and legs around to keep your circulation moving. Also, huddle together to stay warm and wrap yourselves in blankets, newspapers, floor mats, or maps.
• Drink fluids to stay hydrated, and watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. 

What to Do After a Winter Storm 

• Use caution when driving or walking on ice. 
• Use ice-melting products to keep your steps and pathways safe.
• Avoid all damaged or fallen power lines. 
• Watch out for damaged trees and branches.
• Report damaged power lines or gas leaks immediately to the local authorities. 
• Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow; take breaks or work with a partner. 
• If your home is unsafe, go to a public library, shopping mall, or designated shelter to stay warm until your home can be restored. 
• Check on neighbors and family members to see if they need help. 
• Check your water for frozen or burst pipes. 

Final Thoughts

Winter storms can be life-threatening, but you can weather the storm safely with proper preparation and precautions. Understand weather alerts, winterize your home and vehicle, and ensure your emergency supplies are ready, including reliable backup power solutions like EcoFlow DELTA Series Portable Power Stations. During the storm, prioritize safety by staying indoors, heating your home responsibly, and monitoring weather updates. Afterward, proceed with caution, assist neighbors, and address any damage. Remember, preparation is your best defense. Stay safe, everyone.