Putting Together a Winter Storm Kit

If you live in a region with cold winters, like us preppers here in New England, you should have a Winter Storm Kit to help survive a snowstorm or ice storm, especially if it is accompanied by a power outage. A good Nor’Easter here in Massachusetts can dump a couple of feet of snow in a couple of days. Or a winter storm can ice over the power lines, causing widespread outages, even with little snow. Cold temps plus no power equals a potentially life threatening situation.

So here are my picks for the key components in a Winter Storm Kit:

1. Sleeping Bags — the type used for camping outdoors in winter. These sleeping bags are purchased at specialty camping stores, not department stores. They are rated for the outdoor temperature. I use a bag rated at 20 to 40 degrees F. A house without heat will still be about 10 degrees warmer than if you were outdoors in a tent. And you are using it indoors on a bed, with the option of additional blankets. But you can use your own judgment about the rated temperature of the bag.

2. Flashlights and batteries — I find that the LED type of flashlight will last longer than the incandescent bulb type. I also have a lantern type of flashlight that runs on a bunch of D cells and sheds light in all directions.

3. Glowsticks — white ones provide a more pleasing light color, but they are nowhere near as bright as the green ones. I’ll buy some green ones, once I run out of the white.

4. Cell phone power booster — These are getting to be cheap and ubiquitous. You charge your cell phone from the battery in the power booster. The cheapest models give you one charge. Some of the pricier options can charge a phone 2 or 3 times. When the power is out, a working cell phone can be a lifesaver.

5. Bottled water — one gallon per person per day; aim for 2 weeks’ worth of water, though one weeks’ worth is pretty good for starters.

6. Food that you can prepare without power. See my previous post on the topic. In summary, tabouli and couscous turn out well when prepared with bottled water and without heat. Instant mashed potatoes works best if you have some butter or milk or at least mayo to add. Scavenge the cheese power from a box of Mac and Cheese, and add it to the couscous for better flavor.

7. Long underwear and warm sweaters (wool) to wear during the day. FYI, the temperature rating is for when you are warmly clothed in the bag, not just in your skivvies. That means at least long undies or sweatpants and sweatshirt.

8. Games, Cards, and Books for entertainment while the power is out. See my previous post.

9. Shovels, rock salt, and an ice scraper/brush to dig out after the snowstorm.

Will the roads be clear? I’ve lived in different areas of the nation. In New England, they send out the snowplows DURING the storm, so by the time the snow has stopped, the plows have been by 2 or 3 times, and the roads are clear. In some other areas, they don’t think about plowing until after the snow stops.

10. First Aid kit with medical books. In case you are stranded and there is a medical issue, every home should have a first aid book and a general medical book (one of each)
American Medical Association Handbook of First Aid and Emergency Care
First Aid for Babies and Children
American College of Emergency Physicians First Aid Manual

The Merck Manual of Medical Information: 2nd Home Edition
Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, Fourth Edition
American Medical Association Family Medical Guide, 4th Edition

- Thoreau