Prepare for a Winter Storm
Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 left 4.5 million Texas homes without power for days, caused widespread water system failures, and resulted in at least 246 deaths. In the Northeast, blizzards routinely dump 2–3 feet of snow and knock out power to hundreds of thousands of customers.
The National Weather Service and FEMA recommend preparing for at least 72 hours without power or heat during winter. A well-stocked kit with water, shelf-stable food, warm layers, and backup lighting can be the difference between discomfort and danger.
How to ride out a multi-day winter storm
Heating strategy: When the power goes out, your house cools faster than you think — a typical American home loses 1 to 2°F per hour in subfreezing weather. The NWS recommends consolidating the family into one small interior room, sealing doors with rolled towels, and warming that single space with body heat, layers, and an indoor-safe heat source (catalytic propane heater rated for indoor use ONLY). Never run a generator, charcoal grill, or unvented combustion heater inside — the CDC reports hundreds of carbon monoxide deaths every winter storm season.
Water systems: Pipes freeze and burst between 20°F and -10°F depending on insulation. Before a storm hits, fill bathtubs (toilet flushing reserve), open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls, and let faucets drip slowly. Know where your main water shutoff is. After Winter Storm Uri, the EPA documented widespread water contamination from cracked pipes — boil-water orders covered millions of people. Stock at least one gallon per person per day for drinking and basic hygiene.
Communication and information: Cell towers depend on backup generators that typically last 24-72 hours. NOAA Weather Radio is the only consistent emergency information channel. Keep a battery- or crank-powered radio with SAME alerts in your kit. Read our 72-hour family kit guide for full radio recommendations.
Winter storm kit essentials
- Water: 1 gallon per person per day for 7 days. Store in interior closets, not garages where it can freeze and crack containers.
- Indoor-rated heat source: Mr. Heater Big Buddy or similar catalytic propane heater explicitly rated for indoor use. Plus extra propane tanks stored OUTSIDE.
- Carbon monoxide detector with battery backup: Non-negotiable. The leading cause of death in extended power outages.
- Warm layers: Wool base layers, fleece mid-layers, sleeping bags rated 20°F or colder for each household member. Layering trumps any single heavy garment.
- Food: 7 days of no-cook options that store at room temperature (or below). Canned goods will freeze and crack at sustained -15°F — keep them in interior rooms.
- Portable power station + solar panel: For phone charging, CPAP machines, and medical equipment. See our solar vs gas generator comparison.