Blizzards: When The Power Goes Out

Blizzards are extreme winter storms characterized by cold temperatures, heavy snow, poor visibility, and, often, strong winds. It causes strain on power grids and human bodies alike. Your focus in both good times or bad should involve keeping your people warm, conserving energy, and limiting exposure. This is hard to do if you’re stuck on the road in the midst of a 100-car traffic mishap (not a strong enough word, I’ll admit). What’s the best strategy before, during, and after the storm?

Winter storms (this one is named “Fern”) occur every year in the United States, and cause fatalities among the unprepared, especially in Midwest, Southeast, and New England. The grand majority of deaths occur due to traffic accidents from hypothermia from being caught outside during the blizzard. Trees and power lines burdened with heavy snowfall may topple, causing additional, possibly lethal, hazards.

SURVIVING A BLIZZARD AT HOME

If a blizzard knocks out the power grid but you’re still in your home (a great place to be), your home can get freezing cold. You are, however, in more control of the situation than you would be if you were stranded on the road.

• “Winterize” your home before the weather gets too cold. Insulate doors and windows with weather stripping, caulk, or plastic sheeting.
• Check insulation in attics and walls.
• If, for some reason, you don’t know where your water shut-off valve and breaker box are, find out.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and have lots of fresh batteries.
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
• Have a backup heat ready, like a reliable heater or a wood stove, but avoid using grills inside.
• Charge all devices and have portable power banks or a generator (use only outside and not in the garage or right at the entrance).

WHAT IF THE POWER GOES OUT DURING THE STORM?

This wouldn’t be that unusual in a bad enough storm. If so, you’ll need to conserve heat. This can be accomplished by:

• Keeping everyone in an inside room, preferably without windows. The heat from several bodies will make a small space warmer.
• Dressing in warm layers, including hats and gloves.
• Conserving heat by shutting the doors of unused rooms.
• Closing blinds and curtains to add insulation.
• Stuffing towels under the door to prevent loss of warmth from the room being used. If you’re using alternative heating sources, however, make sure there is reasonable ventilation.
• Using a space heater. Old ones can be temperamental, though, so keep a fighter extinguisher handy just in case. Keep exhaust vents clear.
• If you’re using candles, pay close attention to them.
• Keeping people hydrated with warm drinks, even if it’s just water. You’d be surprised by how much you’ll use (ar least a gallon of water per person per day), so fill the bathtub like you would with an approaching hurricane. Prevent the plumbing from freezing by allowing faucets to drip and opening cabinet doors under the sink.
• As with any disaster, making sure you’ve got lots of non-perishable food. Make sure you have enough for at least a week.
• Storing an extra supply of needed medications.

And, of course, avoiding opening doors to the outside and losing heat. If you have to dig yourself out, watch for overexertion and sweating: hypothermia and heart strain are real concerns.

In many parts of the country, blizzards and extreme cold spells are part and parcel of life. A prepared home can save lives from winter hazards. Next time, we’ll talk about surviving blizzard conditions on the road.

Joe Alton MD

Dr. Joe Alton