Going to post this information here regarding a Winter Storm, especially an Ice Storm for many though still valid for an Snow Storm. An Ice Storm is the most dangerous of storms and freezing rain is not well understood. Will add current info on the storm in the morning. While I live in Raleigh NC a good part of the country is getting a Winter Storm that may be historic for many so this advice is for everyone in it's path.
The person who put out this list is in NC and has written extensively on the flooding from Helene and the slow road to recovery in Western North Carolina. Once anyone has been through such a dangerous, deadly storm it changes you and you are never the same. Some pick up and move away (happened in Miami after Andrew frequently) others stay and try be help others around them. In Miami we called that Neighbors helping Neighbors.
It's a good list.
So look through and see if any may of been of help, especially if some of things relate to you but were not on your list to do on Friday. This was a post on X today. I'll add if you have a good Walk in Closet and your power goes out it's a great place to hang out in dressed in layers. Also in a hurricane in Miami my young son didn't want to stay at a friends house that had good shutters as he knew when the power went out (and it did) the house would be dark and it made him anxious. A friend suggested I get a "tap light" for him to hold onto and it would empower him. I did what they suggested and it worked. Sometimes you gotta be creative to adjust a list to your own needs and obviously your own ability financially to do. Hope this helps!
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A lot of people have asked for a comprehensive preparedness list for the winter storm.
Feel free to bookmark this or share with friends, stay safe out there:
Gas up every car (and top off any cans if you’ve got them)
Pull cash — assume card readers go down
Charge everything: phones, battery packs, laptops, tool batteries
Make one “charging pile” with all cords so nobody’s hunting
Headlamp for every adult + flashlight for every kid
Lanterns for the main rooms (no candles… kids + candles = nope)
Fresh batteries in a big ziplock — label it
Pick ONE “warm room” right now (small room, easiest to heat)
Shut doors to the rest of the house
Blankets over windows at night + towels at the bottom of doors
Drag mattresses/pads in there if you need to
Lay out clothes like it’s ski season: base layer + hoodie + coat + hat + thick socks
Slippers/shoes indoors — cold floors will wreck you
Dry clothes only — damp socks = change them immediately
Generator = OUTSIDE only (not garage, not “cracked door,” OUTSIDE)
CO alarms working on every floor, especially near bedrooms
Use outdoor-rated extension cords only — don’t run cords under rugs
Don’t do any “dryer plug” stuff — not worth dying for
Fuel stays OUTSIDE the house
If you’re using a heater: only indoor-rated
Keep it away from blankets/curtains/kids
Crack a window just a tiny bit
Never sleep with a flame heater on
Water: plan 1 gallon per person per day minimum
Fill bathtub/buckets for flushing/washing
On a well? Assume ZERO water once power is out
Find the main water shutoff now (don’t wait)
When it’s brutally cold: let faucets drip (if water’s still on)
Open sink cabinets on outside walls
Wrap exposed pipes / cover outdoor spigots
Disconnect hoses
Food: buy 7 days of no-cook / easy stuff
Stock basics: PB, tuna, crackers, granola, soup, jerky, shelf milk, cereal
Manual can opener
Paper plates if you don’t want to burn water on dishes
Fridge/freezer: open it as little as possible
Eat fridge first, then freezer, then pantry
Refill prescriptions
Kids fever meds + thermometer + first-aid kit
CPAP/nebulizer/anything critical: have a power plan
Baby wipes + sanitizer + trash bags
No water? Bucket toilet plan (bucket + bags + kitty litter)
Make a “kid station” in the warm room: books, coloring, cards, board games
Download movies ahead of time (airplane mode)
Clear rules: no touching heaters, no cords, no generator zone
Lantern by hallway/bathroom at night
One comfort thing per kid in the warm room
Phones: low power mode + dim screen
Write down important numbers on paper
Pick a check-in time with family/friends (morning + evening)
Don’t drive unless you have to — ice will humble you fast
Car kit: blanket, flashlight, snacks, water, jumper pack
If you run the car for heat: clear the tailpipe and never in an enclosed space
Every morning: quick safety sweep
CO alarms good, heater clear, cords not hot
Watch for leaks when things thaw
Check on neighbors if you can
Toss sketchy food when power comes back
Bring the house back online slowly (don’t flip everything at once) **** Besos BobbiStorm on X********************
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