October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PCOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
Bettesworth Construction
emergency supplies

Winter Storm ‘Fern’ Checklist: 5 Things to Have on Hand When Snow and Ice Hit

A practical five-part checklist for preparing your home and vehicle for snow, ice, power outages, and cold-weather emergencies.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 4 min read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Prepare for a winter storm as if your home could lose power, heat, phone service, and access to shops for more than a day. The five essentials are household supplies, backup light and information, a safe warmth plan, a food-safety plan, and a prepared vehicle if travel is unavoidable. Winter Storm Fern was the historical context for this checklist; the steps apply to future snow and ice storms, too.

1. Water, ready-to-eat food, medicine, and household essentials

Keep supplies you can use without electricity or cooking. Include drinking water, food that needs no refrigeration, prescription medicines, first-aid supplies, and any items specific to the people and animals in your household. Account for baby supplies, mobility or medical needs, and pet food and water.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Water: A National Weather Service page for the Amarillo region uses one gallon per person per day for three days as a baseline. Household needs vary, so treat that as a starting point rather than a guarantee that every household will have enough.
  • Food: Choose shelf-stable items you can eat without heating. Keep pet food and animal water in your plan as well.
  • Household and animal needs: Plan for a safe place for pets, dry bedding, and water that will not freeze. Livestock owners should account for shelter, dry bedding, and unfrozen water.
  • Medicine: Check supplies before severe weather is forecast, especially for medicines that are time-sensitive or require special storage.

Store supplies where household members can reach them if a power outage makes normal routes through the home unsafe or inaccessible.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

2. Backup light and a way to receive alerts

Keep a flashlight and spare batteries where you can find them in the dark. A battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio or portable radio can provide a way to hear updates if your phone loses power or service. Check batteries and equipment ahead of time rather than waiting for an outage.

#1 Best Overall
Winter Storm Personal Survival Kit for Ice Events, El Nino Storms, Outages
  • UPDATED FOR WINTER: Contains 15 essential winter storm survival items, over 30 pieces total. Curated by disaster housing professionals who understand what helps during severe weather emergencies and winter conditions
  • EMERGENCY LIGHTING: Updated COB flashlight (batteries included) and a glow stick for temporary illumination during extended power outages and hydro failures
  • WARMTH & PROTECTION: Includes insulated rain poncho, emergency blanket, and hand warmers to maintain body heat during power outages, blackouts, and freezing temperatures
  • HYDRATION ESSENTIALS: Features emergency drinking water with 5-year shelf life, empty foldable water pouches, and electrolyte packets for proper hydration during 72-hour emergency preparedness situations
  • EMERGENCY SUPPLIES: Equipped with first aid kit, emergency whistle, face mask, compressed towel, wet wipes, and lip balm - essential for grid failures and severe weather events

A phone remains useful, but it is not a complete backup if it cannot be charged or connect to a network. FEMA recommends signing up for local emergency alerts and using its app for alerts and shelter information. Keep a charging method available for your phone, and have a separate battery-powered way to receive weather information.

3. Safe warmth and outage protection

Gather warm layers and blankets before temperatures fall. Decide in advance how you will keep people warm if the heating system stops, and use only equipment approved for indoor use according to its instructions. Keep smoke alarms and carbon-monoxide detectors working; snow can also block exterior vents, so check that they remain clear.

Rank #2
Emergency Blanket Mylar Thermal Space Survival Gear & Supplies 4-Pack Foil
  • Superior Thermal Retention: Crafted from advanced aluminized Mylar, these foil emergency blankets are designed to retain up to 90% of body heat, providing crucial warmth in survival situations. A trusted addition to your survival gear and supplies.
  • Multi-Purpose Survival Tool: Ideal for various emergency scenarios, including camping, hiking, and natural disasters. Can be used as ground cover, shelter, or to prevent hypothermia and shock. A good addition for camping or prepper gear and supplies.
  • Compact & Lightweight Design: Each survival space blanket measures 82" x 52" when unfolded yet folds down to a compact size, making it easy to store in bug out bags, backpacks, cars, emergency kit, survival kit, or apocalypse gear without adding bulk
  • Durable & Reusable Material: Made with tear-resistant Mylar, these blankets are not only durable but also reusable, ensuring long-term reliability for multiple emergency uses. Add them to you tornado shelter supplies and bug out bag supplies.
  • Essential Emergency Preparedness: A must-have for any emergency kit. Space emergency blankets are perfect for use as emergency camping blankets, hiking, car safety kits, and disaster preparedness, offering peace of mind in unpredictable situations.
  • Never run a generator in an enclosed space. FEMA advises placing it outdoors at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and garages.
  • Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat the home. These appliances are not safe substitutes for a space heater.
  • Use an emergency heat source only as directed and with proper ventilation. Keep a fire extinguisher available.
  • Close off unused rooms and block drafts at doors where practical, without blocking ventilation required by heating equipment.

For drafty windows, temporary window insulation film is an optional comfort measure, not a substitute for a safe heat source or working alarms.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

4. A plan for refrigerated and frozen food

If power fails, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a refrigerator can stay below 40°F for up to four hours. A full freezer can stay cold for about 48 hours, or about 24 hours if half full; these estimates depend on keeping the door closed.

Rank #3
Emergency Zone Power Outage Emergency Kit - Premium | Power Outage Essentials w/Emergency Light for Hurricane Prep, Tornado Emergency Kit, Etc | Power-Loss Ready Emergency Supplies for The Dark
  • ✅【Kit Includes】: 1x Durable Nylon Pouch, 6x Candles, 4x Light Sticks, 2x Pocket CREE Mini LED Flashlight, 2x Collapsible LED Lantern, 1x Box of Waterproof Matches, 1x AM/FM/WB Radio, 1x Deck of Playing Cards, 1x 4-in-1 Emergency Dynamo Radio Flashlight
  • ✅【Be Ready For Power Outages】: Stay prepared with our Power Outage Emergency Kit, storm supplies and home emergency supplies in one. This kit ensures you’re equipped with necessities for a power outage from hurricanes, power grid failure, damaged power lines, construction, flooding, and winter storms
  • ✅【Waterproof Matches】: Ensure you’re fully prepared with Waterproof Matches, a crucial addition to any hurricane kit or power outage kit. Designed to light reliably even in wet conditions, making them an essential hurricane must haves for staying safe and secure during emergencies.
  • ✅【Hear Important NOAA Messages】: Stay prepared and informed with our AM/FM/WB radio, equipped to receive crucial NOAA weather alerts and broadcasts 24/7, ensuring you're always aware of emergency updates and public safety information.
  • ✅【Compact Storm Kit】: Prepare for hurricanes and other storms that may cause outages with this compact storm kit, essential Tornado & hurricane preparedness items for home. Stay ready and packed for easy storage and quick access during emergencies.

Do not use snow outdoors as a substitute refrigerator for perishable food. Temperatures can vary, and food may be exposed to animals or unsanitary conditions. USDA says that, for an expected long outage, 50 pounds of dry or block ice can keep an 18-cubic-foot freezer cold for two days. That is a conditional option, not a requirement for every household.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

5. A winter vehicle kit and a plan to stay put

Avoid unnecessary travel during and immediately after a storm. The National Weather Service reports an average of more than 5,000 deaths and more than 418,000 injuries per year in weather-related vehicle crashes; its page does not identify the statistic’s underlying publication year. If a trip is essential, prepare the vehicle before setting out.

Rank #4
Sale
QIO CHUANG Emergency Mylar Thermal Blankets 4 Packs Survival Kit 84''x55''
  • Emergency Mylar Thermal Blankets - Emergency Blanket,Space Blanket,Thermal Blanket,Mylar Blanket,Survival Blanket.Our durable advanced aluminized Mylar blankets are perfect for civilian bug out bags, go-bags, and home/auto emergency kits.
  • Space Blanket Survival kit Camping Blanket (Pack of 4)- Each survival blanket is individually folded, wrapped, and sealed for easy storage and retrieval. They are reusable, waterproof and windproof and can also be used for both ground cover and shade. Durable and advanced aluminized dual-sided Mylar blankets are perfect for conserving body heat in emergency survival situations.
  • EMERGENCY USE - Perfect for emergency situations where warmth or protection from all-weather conditions is required. Helps prevent hypothermia and shock by retaining/reflecting up to 90% of a user's body heat. our blankets can help block rain, snow, and moisture to keep you dry in damp, wet, cold, rainy environments
  • Manufactured from the best Weatherproof Material : Waterproof and weatherproof foil and Mylar emergency thermal blanket for retaining or deflecting heat. Mylar insert provides insulation and the foil cover can reflect heat back to the body or deflect heat from the sun
  • Provides compact emergency protection in all weather conditions: Perfect for camping trips and sporting events. uses are nearly limitless: use as tent footprint, backpack cover, rain poncho, emergency signal, solar oven, shade cover, fishing lure, bird repellent, emergency shelter, sleeping bag liner, ground cover, bivouac sack, wind blocker, arm sling, tourniquet, bivvy, trail marker, water collector, snow melt container and so on.

The Amarillo National Weather Service’s regional checklist suggests supplies such as a flashlight, windshield scraper, extra clothes, matches or candles, booster cables, compass, maps, sand, chains, blankets, and high-calorie non-perishable food. Choose items suited to your vehicle, route, and conditions, and make sure you know how to use them. Sturdy shoes with traction can also help if you need to walk on slippery surfaces; take short shuffling steps and keep your hands out of your pockets.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

If you become stranded

  1. Stay with the vehicle unless you can see a known shelter nearby.
  2. If you run the engine for warmth, run it for about 10 minutes each hour rather than continuously.
  3. Crack a window to let in fresh air and check that snow is not blocking the exhaust pipe.

These steps reduce the risk of carbon-monoxide exposure while you wait for help. Keep the vehicle’s exhaust area clear whenever the engine is running.

Best Value
Emergency Sleeping Bag Mylar Thermal Bivy Survival Gear & Supplies Foil (3)
  • 3 PACK EMERGENCY SLEEPING BAG FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN - Emergency survival sleeping bag are made for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities research. Waterproof camping thermal sleeping bags for emergency warmth for blizzards rain extreme cold
  • FULL BODY PROTECTION: Sized at 84"x 36", each emergency camping thermal sleeping bag provides warmth even without a survival tent. Can act as a bivy blanket or sleeping bag bivy. Mylar sleeping bags for adults or children, big enough for all sizes.
  • ULTRALIGHT BIVY SACK - These mylar emergency sleeping bags are made of mylar foil. Strong enough to be a blizzard survival bag, but ultra light enough to be an emergency survival blanket. Each comes with a bivy sack for go time storage gear tact.
  • WINTER EMERGENCY SUPPLIES - These are bug out bag essentials as well as bugout disaster preparedness supplies. Insulated survival blanket original great defense as bulk sleeping bags for homeless. Helps as a survival sleeping bag extreme cold weather
  • QUALITY GUARANTEE: Bivy sacks can be bought with confidence. Life bivy emergency sleeping bag thermal bivvy can be used as a foil sleeping bag even without mylar tent survival sacks. Bug out bag items don't come more essential than bivvy sleeping bag

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Site Office

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.