Winter Storm Preparedness Guide 2026

The Texas freeze of February 2021 killed over 240 people and caused $195 billion in damage, much of it from burst pipes in homes that had never experienced sustained freezing temperatures. Winter storms present a unique and deadly combination of threats: power outages eliminate heating, frozen pipes burst and flood homes, ice-covered roads prevent evacuation, and hypothermia can set in indoors within hours. This guide covers everything you need to prepare for winter storms, whether you live in the Snow Belt or the Gulf Coast.

Heating Backup: Your Top Priority

In a summer outage, you are uncomfortable. In a winter outage, you are in danger. Heating backup is the single most critical element of winter storm preparedness.

Safe Indoor Heating Options

• Propane indoor heater (Mr. Heater Buddy): The Mr. Heater Big Buddy is rated for indoor use with ODS (oxygen depletion sensor). It heats a 400 sq ft room and runs 3-6 hours on a 1-pound propane cylinder. Keep a carbon monoxide detector in the room and crack a window slightly for ventilation.
• Wood stove or fireplace: If you have one, maintain it annually. Stock seasoned firewood before storm season. Ensure the chimney is clean and the damper operates properly.
• Electric space heater + generator or power station: A 1,500W ceramic heater runs on a portable generator or large power station. Safe for indoor use, no ventilation needed.

Dangerous Heating Mistakes (People Die From These)

• Running a gas generator indoors or in an attached garage (carbon monoxide poisoning)
• Using a gas oven or stovetop for heating (carbon monoxide + fire risk)
• Burning charcoal or a camp stove indoors (carbon monoxide poisoning)
• Using unvented propane heaters without CO detectors and ventilation
• Leaving portable heaters unattended or near combustibles

Preventing Frozen and Burst Pipes

Burst pipes cause more residential damage during winter storms than any other factor. A single burst pipe can release 250+ gallons of water per hour into your home.

Before the Storm

• Insulate exposed pipes in attics, crawl spaces, basements, and garages with foam pipe insulation
• Know where your main water shutoff valve is and verify you can operate it
• Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses; shut off exterior faucet supply valves
• Seal air leaks around pipes where they enter the house
• Consider pipe heating cables for chronically vulnerable pipes

During the Storm

• Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks to let warm air reach pipes
• Let faucets drip slowly (both hot and cold lines) to keep water moving
• Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night (do not drop it at night)
• If power goes out and temperature drops toward freezing: shut off the main water valve and open all faucets to drain the system

If Pipes Freeze

• Open the faucet so water can flow when the pipe thaws
• Apply heat using a hair dryer, heat lamp, or towels soaked in hot water
• Never use a blowtorch, propane heater, or open flame on pipes (fire risk)
• If a pipe has burst, shut off the main water immediately and call a plumber

Winter Emergency Supply Kit

In addition to the standard emergency supply checklist, winter storms require these specific items:

• Indoor-rated propane heater with extra fuel cylinders
• Carbon monoxide detectors (battery-powered) on every floor
• Extra blankets, sleeping bags, or a zero-degree sleeping bag per person
• Warm clothing layers: thermal underwear, wool socks, insulated gloves, hats
• Rock salt or ice melt for walkways
• Snow shovel
• Emergency food that does not require cooking (you may not be able to boil water)
• Pipe insulation and pipe heating cables
• Sand or cat litter for vehicle traction on ice
• Flashlights and lanterns (winter storms often hit with short daylight hours)

Vehicle Winter Emergency Kit

Winter roads can strand you. Keep these items in every vehicle from November through March:

• Blanket or sleeping bag
• Non-perishable food (energy bars, nuts, dried fruit)
• Bottled water
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Phone charger (car adapter)
• Ice scraper and small shovel
• Sand, cat litter, or traction mats
• Jumper cables or portable jump starter
• First aid kit
• Reflective safety triangles or flares
• Warm clothing: gloves, hat, extra jacket
• Bag of rock salt

If Stranded in Your Vehicle

• Stay in the vehicle; it provides shelter from wind
• Run the engine for heat 10-15 minutes per hour to conserve fuel
• Crack a downwind window slightly to prevent CO buildup
• Clear snow from the exhaust pipe to prevent carbon monoxide from backing into the cabin
• Turn on the dome light or hazards so rescuers can find you
• Move your arms and legs periodically to maintain circulation

Staying Warm Without Heat

If you lose heating and have no backup heat source, these strategies can keep your family safe:

• Consolidate: Move everyone into one small interior room. Close doors to unused rooms. Hang blankets over doorways and windows for insulation.
• Layer up: Wear multiple loose layers. Cover your head (you lose 10% of body heat through your head). Wool and synthetic materials insulate when damp; cotton does not.
• Ground insulation: Sleep on air mattresses, camping pads, or piles of blankets rather than directly on the floor. The floor conducts heat away from your body rapidly.
• Body heat: Share a bed or sleeping area. Two people under blankets generate meaningful heat. Pets help too.
• Eat and drink: Your body burns calories to generate heat. Eat calorie-dense foods and drink warm beverages if possible.
• Stay dry: Moisture from sweat or wet clothes accelerates heat loss dramatically. Change into dry clothes before sleeping.

Home Winterization Checklist

Complete these tasks before the first freeze each year:

• Inspect and service heating system (furnace, heat pump, or boiler)
• Replace furnace filter
• Clean chimney and inspect flue if using fireplace or wood stove
• Insulate attic to R-38 minimum (prevents ice dams and heat loss)
• Caulk and weatherstrip windows and doors
• Insulate exposed water pipes
• Test smoke and CO detectors; replace batteries
• Reverse ceiling fans to push warm air downward
• Trim tree branches that could fall on power lines or the house under ice weight
• Service generator and stock fuel
• Stock ice melt and verify snow removal equipment is working

Final Thoughts

Winter storms demand a different preparedness mindset than hurricanes or tornadoes. The threat is not wind or water; it is cold. Everything in your plan should center on maintaining warmth, protecting your plumbing, and having the supplies to shelter in place for 3-7 days without utility services. Start with a safe backup heating source, insulate your pipes, and build your supply kit before the first cold front arrives.

For gear recommendations, see our guides on portable generators, power stations, and emergency flashlights. For year-round emergency readiness, review our complete emergency preparedness checklist.