If you remember the COVID toilet paper craze, you probably still have a reflex to overthink emergency prep. I definitely do. The moment weather alerts start popping up on my phone, my brain jumps straight to worst-case scenarios. But winter storm prep does not have to look like panic buying or empty carts.
Knoxville – and most of East Tennessee – has been bracing for a severe (or…not?…I guess we’ll know when it falls from the sky) winter storm. The weather alerts have been relentless and changing every day. As a teacher, you already know I’m keeping up with every snowflake in sight.
I’d like to share a master list of everything I did to prepare for this weekend’s storm, whether it’s ice, snow, or a mixture of it all. The key here is NOT to hoard or panic buy, but instead to be intentional, thoughtful, and organized in preparing.
1. If you’re reading this, it’s not too late! You can still go to the store, BUT if you need to go to the store:
- Consider smaller stores first: Large grocery stores tend to be the most crowded during severe weather events. If you only need a few essentials, try neighborhood markets, dollar stores, drugstores or pharmacies, or convenience stores attached to gas stations. These locations are often less chaotic and still carry basics like bread, milk, batteries, and canned food.
- Go with a short list: Stick to essentials and avoid browsing. Crowded stores, tired kids, and empty shelves are a tough combination. A focused list keeps the trip quick and calmer. Get in and out.
- Avoid peak hours and leave the kids at home: I know this might not be possible for many of you, but leaving the kids at home can help you get in and out. If you have to bring them, brief them on expectations and don’t budge. Go in the early morning if you can.
- Gas up while you’re out: If roads are still safe, topping off your gas tank can be helpful in case of power outages or future travel restrictions.
2. Keep warm! You probably already have some or most of these things at home, but it’s important to have them stashed and organized so you’re not scrambling and looking for them when SHTF:
- A blanket/clothing stash: Wool, fleece, and down/down alternative comforters and blankets are the warmest. You’ll need several. Warm hoodies, socks, sweatpants, hats, gloves, and beanies. Make sure they’re set aside and ready in case of severe weather.
- Find a safe heat source. Have a fireplace? You’ll want a good stash of wood, fire starters, matches, lighters, fireplace tools, and any safety gear (like a fire extinguisher) on standby. Electric heat? Keep your curtains and blinds closed to reduce heat loss. Always assume the electricity could go out and plan accordingly.
3. Have a backup source for power and light:
- Full-blown generators aren’t so common in the average household, BUT having a smaller backup power source is a smart move. Smaller power-banks and portable chargers can be found at Walmart, Five Below, and other retail stores. This one is my personal favorite. We have two for our family of five, and we keep them fully charged in case of a sudden power outage or emergency.
- Batteries, extra flashlights, and candles are important. Organize them and keep them all in one place so you’re not scrambling for them in the dark. I also keep some oil lamps nearby because they’re my personal favorite and I collect them.
4. Food and water:
- Grab an extra case of water at the store, even if you think you won’t need it (you will!). Water is essential for any kind of emergency, especially in situations where pipes could freeze and/or you may be left without electricity. For water, a good rule of thumb is one gallon per person per day, planning for at least three days if possible. That includes drinking, basic hygiene, and brushing teeth. Pets need water too. If buying bottled water isn’t realistic, filling clean containers or jugs ahead of time works just as well. Some families also fill bathtubs or large bins with water for non-drinking use like flushing toilets.
- For food prep, focus on items that don’t require refrigeration, cooking, or much cleanup. Think peanut butter, crackers, shelf-stable bread, canned soup or chili, tuna or chicken packets, cereal, granola bars, applesauce pouches, fruit cups, and shelf-stable milk. These aren’t exciting meals, but they’re filling and familiar, which matters during stressful situations. A manual can opener is easy to forget but essential if you’re relying on canned food, and paper plates or disposable utensils help conserve water. Make sure you’re stocked on non-perishable snacks that your kids will eat. This includes protein drinks, baby food, baby formula, etc. This is a no-brainer, but it’s often overlooked when we’re so worried about staying warm and other basics.
- If the power goes out, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. A full freezer can stay cold for about 48 hours if unopened. Freezing water bottles ahead of time can help extend that window. When in doubt about food safety, it’s always better to throw something out than risk food poisoning during a storm.
5. Small details that can make a big difference:
- During winter storms and extended power outages, it’s often the small details that make the biggest difference. Unplugging electronics can help protect them from power surges when electricity is restored, and leaving one lamp switched on makes it easy to tell when power comes back without constantly checking.
- Pipes in garages, basements, laundry rooms, and crawl spaces tend to freeze first, so opening cabinets and keeping those areas warmer can prevent costly damage. It’s also worth taking a moment to locate your home’s main water shut-off valve ahead of time, just in case. Lowering the water heater temperature before extreme cold can reduce stress on plumbing, and a quick check-in on neighbors, especially elderly ones, is a simple way to look out for each other during prolonged outages.
- Inside the house, moving beds a few feet away from windows, cracking interior doors to allow warmer air to circulate, and keeping coats and shoes near beds can help everyone stay warmer and safer overnight. Families with medications that require refrigeration should have a plan in place using coolers or ice packs if needed. Speaking of medications, it’s a good time to refill prescriptions and make sure you’ve got the basics on hand (ibuprofen, Benadryl, etc.).
