Prepare for a heavy snowstorm by gathering several days of essentials, checking your heating and safety equipment, winterizing vulnerable parts of the house, and keeping up with local alerts. The main home risks are losing heat, electricity, telephone service, or access to supplies if roads become impassable.
What to prepare for before a heavy snowstorm
Start while roads and stores are still accessible. The National Weather Service (NWS) recommends planning for interruptions to heat, power, telephone service, and supplies—not just the snowfall itself. Check your local forecast and NWS alerts regularly, and make a household plan for anyone who depends on medication, mobility support, or other specialized care.
Gather essential supplies
A local NWS preparedness page recommends having at least three days of non-perishable food, water, and medications. The right amount depends on your household. Include supplies for infants and pets, and check that prescriptions and other necessities will last if travel or deliveries are delayed.
- Food that does not require cooking or refrigeration, plus drinking water.
- Prescription medicines, a first-aid kit, and any essential personal-care or medical supplies.
- Flashlights or other battery-powered lighting, with spare batteries.
- A battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio or portable radio so you can receive updates during a power outage.
- Supplies for babies, pets, and household members with specific needs.
Test radios, flashlights, and alarms rather than assuming they work. If your heating system depends on delivered fuel, check the supply ahead of time; severe weather can delay deliveries.
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Winterize the house
NWS winterization guidance recommends inspecting the chimney, sealing drafts around doors and windows with caulk or weather-stripping, insulating exposed pipes and the attic, and cleaning gutters. These are general preventive measures, not a guarantee against damage; what is appropriate depends on the home and local climate.
Check that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms work. Identify vents and exhaust outlets that could be covered by drifting or plowed snow, and plan to keep them clear.
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What to do as the storm approaches
- Keep checking official updates. Follow your local forecast, NWS alerts, and local emergency-management instructions as conditions change.
- Finish preparations while it is safe. Charge phones and other devices if possible, bring pets indoors, and make sure they have food and water.
- Check heating and safety equipment. Replenish fuel for heating sources where relevant, test smoke and CO alarms, and make sure you have more than one way to receive warnings.
- Review your household plan. Adjust for the latest forecast and any specific needs, such as medication, infant supplies, or mobility assistance.
Stay indoors during dangerous conditions when possible. Avoid unnecessary travel, especially once roads become hazardous or local officials advise against it.
How to reduce the risk of frozen pipes
Before the storm, insulate exposed pipes and the attic where appropriate, as part of broader winterization. During a cold-weather outage, continue to monitor local utility and emergency guidance. The cited NWS materials support insulating exposed pipes but do not prescribe a universal procedure or temperature threshold for every home; follow local guidance for your plumbing and climate.
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What to do if the power or heat fails
Use backup heat and generators safely
Use heating equipment only as its instructions allow, and follow its fire-safety precautions. Never run a generator in an enclosed space. The NWS Weather-Ready Nation winter hazard infographic specifies that portable generators should be outdoors at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and garages. Keep snow clear of vents and exhausts.
Do not use charcoal indoors, and do not use a stove or oven to heat the home. A working CO alarm is an important safety device, but it does not make indoor generator use safe or override equipment instructions.
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Stay warm if you have no heat
If heat is unavailable, NWS guidance advises closing off unused rooms, blocking drafts beneath doors, and covering windows at night. Dress in layers, eat and drink, and keep monitoring official information for local instructions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose supplies for your household and home
There is no single checklist or piece of equipment that suits every household. Prioritize items that continue to work during an outage, account for prescriptions and other household-specific needs, and choose heating equipment suited to your home. Use every device only as its manufacturer and safety instructions permit; local emergency-management and utility directions take precedence for specific conditions.
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