Posted on 01/22/2026 5:14:26 PM PST by Jamestown1630
Nobody seems to have begun a thread for the snowstorm that is forecast for this weekend, so I thought I would.
Where I live (DC Metro area) a big snowstorm is relatively rare. We're the ones who don't really know how to drive in it because we don't get a lot of practice; and we also crowd the grocery store and wipe out the shelves - often for stuff we don't really need, and for a forecast that doesn't amount to much but flurries.
But once in a while, we really get whacked; and I think this may be one of those times. (My husband grew up in the wilds of Pennsylvania, and laughs at what we consider 'getting whacked' down here.)
I'm hoping we get lots of snow, and little or no ice; and hope everyone will be safe.
Let us know what you are doing to prepare, if you live where it might hit.
Gosh no. Wasn’t that horrible the last time?
BEFORE THE STORM (24–48 HOURS AHEAD)
❄️1. Charge all phones, power banks, tablets, and rechargeable lanterns.
❄️2. Fill vehicle gas tanks in case stations lose power.
❄️3. Get cash in small bills in case card systems go down.
❄️4. Pick up prescriptions and essential medications early.
❄️5. Download movies, books, and maps for offline use.
❄️6. Identify one warm room in the house to “camp out” if power fails.
❄️7. Locate water shut-off valve and breaker box now, not later.
❄️8. Set fridge and freezer to colder settings to hold temperature longer.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
WATER AND PIPE PROTECTION
❄️9. Drip faucets on exterior walls when temps drop below freezing.
❄️10. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air circulation.
❄️11. Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor spigots.
❄️12. Cover outdoor faucets with insulated caps or towels.
❄️13. Know how to shut off water quickly if a pipe bursts.
❄️14. Fill jugs, buckets, or bathtub with water for flushing and washing.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
FOOD AND KITCHEN PREP
❄️15. Keep 3–5 days of no-cook food: peanut butter, tuna, bread, crackers, canned meat, fruit cups.
❄️16. Have manual can opener available.
❄️17. Buy shelf-stable milk or powdered milk if needed.
❄️18. Freeze a few water bottles to act as freezer “ice packs.”
❄️19. Keep a cooler ready to move fridge food outside if power is out and temps are below freezing.
❄️20. Avoid stocking large amounts of perishables right before the storm.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
HEAT AND HOME SAFETY
❄️21. Gather extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm layers.
❄️22. If using a fireplace, confirm chimney is clear and have dry wood.
❄️23. Never run generators or grills inside garages or homes.
❄️24. Test smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors.
❄️25. Have at least one flashlight per person plus spare batteries.
❄️26. Use battery lanterns instead of candles when possible.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
VEHICLE AND TRAVEL
❄️27. Plan to avoid driving once freezing rain begins.
❄️28. Bridges, overpasses, and shaded roads freeze first.
❄️29. Keep in the car: blanket, water, snacks, phone charger, gloves.
❄️30. Replace old wiper blades and top off washer fluid.
❄️31. Park away from large tree limbs when possible.
❄️32. Assume flights and travel may be disrupted for days.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
POWER OUTAGE PLAN
❄️33. Unplug sensitive electronics to avoid surge damage.
❄️34. Keep one battery radio or weather app for updates.
❄️35. Use surge protectors for TVs and computers.
❄️36. Know where warming centers may be in your parish.
❄️37. Have extension cords ready if using a generator outside.
❄️38. Keep refrigerator closed to preserve cold air.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
PETS AND LIVESTOCK
❄️39. Bring pets indoors with extra food and water.
❄️40. Provide outdoor animals with unfrozen water sources.
❄️41. Add straw or blankets to outdoor shelters.
❄️42. Keep leashes and carriers accessible in case of evacuation.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
MEDICAL AND SPECIAL NEEDS
❄️43. Keep a written list of medications and dosages.
❄️44. Store a small first-aid kit with thermometer and basic meds.
❄️45. Have backup batteries for medical devices.
❄️46. Identify a place with power you could relocate to if needed.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
PROPERTY PROTECTION
❄️47. Move vehicles away from trees or power lines.
❄️48. Secure outdoor furniture and lightweight items.
❄️49. Avoid trimming trees during the storm—do it beforehand.
❄️50. Photograph property for insurance before conditions worsen.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
DURING THE STORM
❄️51. Do not drive unless absolutely necessary.
❄️52. Assume downed lines are live and dangerous.
❄️53. Use only safe indoor heating methods.
❄️54. Check on neighbors, especially elderly, by phone if possible.
❄️55. Report outages to utility companies rather than 911 unless it’s an emergency.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
AFTER THE STORM
❄️56. Walk carefully—ice may refreeze overnight.
❄️57. Check pipes for leaks as temperatures rise.
❄️58. Throw out refrigerated food if above 40°F for more than 4 hours.
❄️59. Avoid DIY electrical repairs around downed lines.
❄️60. Be patient—restoring power after ice can take several days.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
KEY REALITY FOR SOUTHERN ICE EVENTS
❄️A quarter inch of ice can bring scattered outages.
❄️Half an inch can cripple travel and power for days.
❄️Ice is more dangerous than snow for the Deep South
(I’m not sure the original author of this or I would tag/ give credit!)
I am north east of Atlanta.
Forecasts call for freezing rain Saturday night through Sunday.
Forecast are subject to change.
Whatever happens, we are prepared for it.
That is what every one should think about in advance.
Probably to late for many to think about it now.
We moved from MA to FL in December ‘85. When we got down not quite to the Carolinas, there was snow. Not much so we cruised right through while watching everyone else slide around, some off the road. Parents were in a Chevy Citation and I was in a ‘72 Chevelle. We watched 4x4s go off the road.
Excellent information.
I’ve been very concerned about flushing, because we don’t usually get the temps that they are forecasting. We’ve lost water due to a main break before, and I’d much rather lose electricity than water.
I think we’re about to start shoveling it.
This is the first of a quite a number of days when I haven’t felt cold here in Florida.
We were going to go to Ohio on Saturday and Sunday. We’ve cancelled the trip. We make that trip roughly every 6 weeks, and even in good weather, we frequently see several vehicle accidents. Add a bit of snow (maybe as much as a foot) to that trip, and I know it would double the travel time at a minimum. I just don’t have a good feeling about this storm, and I really hope I’m wrong.
He’s one of our favorites. My husband is a weather nerd, and follows him.
Funny thing, it snowed here in Panama City, FLA a year ago but today it was 74 degrees.
I was up in upstate NY this morning. Big snow drifts and gale force winds generating whiteout conditions.
We are making we are well stocked foodwise for the next several days.
Yes; you can drive through snow; but ice is dangerous.
I’ve stocked up on kerosene, just in case. I’m way north.
We started ‘prepping’ during the Obama years, so we’ve usually got food to tide us over. But the one thing we forget is extra water for flushing. This time, I think we’ve got enough.
Take care.
The Halloween snowstorm was bad, but the icestorm was horrific; I still think about laying in the dark listening to the trees breaking to bits 😞 fellow MA gal here.
We caved this year. Bought an automatic generator. I got tired of wheeling out the portable one, praying that it would start. It was a bit of upkeep. We would have to use it 5-6 times a year. Now I have peace of mind. Even when I’m out of town.
I went to the grocery store about 5 pm today. Everything perishable was cleaned out. Plus most of the meats
We seem to live in a sort of ‘bowl’ here, between mountains and the sea. It’s very hard to predict the weather; we can get a huge storm when only flurries are predicted, or nothing when the kids are sure they’re going to have a snow day.
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