What To Do Before A Snow Storm

I’m old enough (just) to remember the winter of 1963 and although we don’t often get severe winters like that it pays to know what to do before a snow storm. You might find yourself in America or Canada on a lengthy business trip during which your return is delayed.

When a snowstorm is approaching, it can be quite scary and tense. Regardless of whether you’ve just closed on one of the Madison houses for sale and are experiencing your first major snowstorm or whether you’re a seasoned Buffalo winter veteran, there’s likely going to be some anxiety about an approaching winter storm.

Thankfully, with some great preparation, you can severely mitigate the potential damage that a winter storm can do. If you’re unprepared, a winter storm can wreak havoc, making preparation extremely important. So what exactly should you do to prepare for an upcoming winter storm? Let’s take a look. 

Stock Up on Winter Supplies

One of the first things you should do before a major winter storm is to stock up on all of the necessary winter supplies. As anyone who’s dealt with snow before already knows, major snowstorms can be extremely dangerous and bring everything to a grinding halt. As a result, you need to have the correct supplies to deal with the massive amount of snow and ice. For example, you’ll want to have salt to spread on your driveway and sidewalks, allowing you to melt the ice and make it easier for travel. In addition, you’ll have to have a snow shovel or snow blower to clear out all of the snow from your driveway and make travel possible.

Finally, you’ll likely want to have a snow scrape and an ice scrape for your vehicle, as you’ll be unable to travel anywhere until you can clear the snow off of your car. Winter storms are no joke, so you need to have the right supplies on hand to deal with them.

Buy Food and Drinks

A key part of preparing for a major winter storm is ensuring that you have enough food and drinks to last you for an extended period of time. If a snowstorm drops several feet of snow or has a few inches of ice, then you’ll likely be unable to leave your home for at least a few days. Obviously, if you don’t have enough food and drinks to last while you’re stuck in your home, then you will run into a few problems. Due to this, you should stock up with several different food options and beverages before a major storm comes. Although it’s unlikely that you’ll be trapped in your home for an extended period of time, preparing for the event could be life-saving. 

Winterize Your Home

Another thing that you’ll have to do before a winter storm is to prepare your home because if you don’t, repairs could be quite costly. One of the first things you should do if you haven’t done so already is clean out your gutters. If your gutters are still clogged with leaves from fall, then the added snow and ice could be too much weight and cause some major problems. You should also  ensure that your heating system is working properly and that all of your vents and filters are adequately cleaned.

Finally, ensure that all openings and cracks are sealed so that none of your home’s heat escapes during the storm. Your home is your shelter from the storm, so you’ll want to make sure that it is adequately equipped to handle what Mother Nature throws at it. 

Prepare To Lose Power

Snowstorms can get really bad, especially if there is a lot of snow and ice accumulation. One of the main concerns with a lot of snow and ice is downed trees and power lines. When this happens, there is a chance that your home can lose power. Losing power during a snowstorm is a scary prospect, as you need your power to keep you safe and warm during the storm. If you want to be extra safe, you should make sure that you have a generator that can power important items like your heater and refrigerator in case of an emergency. You should also have things like flashlights and blankets so that you can stay warm and have light while you wait for the power to be restored.

Losing power during a snowstorm is something that no one wants to deal with, but if you aren’t properly prepared, the situation can quickly turn dangerous or even life-threatening. As a result, you should always be prepared for the worst when a major winter storm approaches.