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Hazard guide · Winter
Winter storms and cold-weather outages
Winter storms can bring extreme cold, ice, snow and high winds, last for days, and cut off heat, power and phone service. Older adults, children, people who are sick and pets are at the most risk.
Most important
Generators and fuel belong outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages, with working CO detectors on every level of the home.
Know the terms
| Winter Storm Warning | Heavy snow, freezing rain or sleet is happening or about to. Usually issued 12 to 24 hours ahead. |
| Winter Storm Watch | A blizzard, heavy snow, freezing rain or sleet is possible. Usually issued 12 to 48 hours ahead. |
| Winter Weather Advisory | Snow, freezing rain or sleet that will cause real trouble and could become dangerous without care. |
Before
- Keep out the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping, and learn how to keep pipes from freezing.
- Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup.
- Gather supplies to stay home for several days without power, including each person's medication, pet needs and spare batteries for radios and flashlights.
- Put a kit in the car: jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, water and snacks. Keep a full tank of gas.
- If heating costs are out of reach, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can help.
During
- Never heat the home with a gas stovetop or oven. Run generators and grills only outdoors, away from windows.
- Stay off the roads if you can. If you're stuck in your car, stay inside it.
- Limit time outside and wear layers. Watch for frostbite (numbness, white or grayish-yellow, waxy skin) and hypothermia (shivering, confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness).
- Avoid overexertion while shoveling snow; it raises the risk of a heart attack.
After
- For frostbite or hypothermia, get to a warm room. Warm the center of the body first (chest, neck, head, groin) and keep the person dry and wrapped up. Don't massage frostbitten skin or use a heating pad. A body temperature below 95°F is an emergency.
- Keep the generator dry, connect appliances with heavy-duty extension cords, and let it cool before refueling.
In your plan
When you tick hard winters under "What your area gets", the plan tool adds these to your buying schedule:
- Cold-rated sleeping bags for everyone
- Pipe insulation
- An indoor-rated propane heater, only with a working CO alarm
- Winter gear scheduled to arrive before winter, including the power station