Guide · 3 min read · Updated October 9, 2026
Winter Storm and Power Outage Checklist: Before, During, and After
What to do before, during, and after a winter storm or power outage, based on Ready.gov, CDC, CPSC, and FoodSafety.gov guidance.
The short answer
A winter storm preparedness checklist covers three stages: before (a plan, supplies for several days, charged devices, a full gas tank), during (stay warm safely, keep generators outside at least 20 feet from openings, keep the fridge closed), and after (check food, pipes, and the house). Make the plan now, while the lights are still on.
When a winter storm knocks the power out, it's dark, cold, and hard to think clearly. That's not the time to find the water shutoff or wonder if the milk is safe. Here's the LAND + HOME before, during, and after storm checklist, based on Ready.gov and other federal guidance.
How do I prepare for a winter storm?
To prepare for a winter storm, make a household plan, gather supplies for several days, and protect your home from the cold before the forecast turns.
The National Weather Service uses two terms to know:
- Winter Storm Watch: conditions are favorable for a significant storm. Start preparing.
- Winter Storm Warning: the storm is expected or already happening. Finish preparing now.
- Write a household plan on paper: phone numbers, where you'd go, who checks on whom
- Install smoke and CO alarms with battery backup on every level and near bedrooms
- Learn where your water, gas, and electric shutoffs are
- Ask your doctor about medical devices that need power and medication storage
- Keep a thermometer in the fridge and freezer
- Fill the car's gas tank before the storm
What should be in a winter storm emergency kit?
A winter storm emergency kit should hold enough water, food, light, warmth, and medicine for your whole household for several days.
| Item | What to have | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water | At least 1 gallon per person per day | CDC: 3-day minimum |
| Food | Nonperishable, no-cook food | Enough for several days |
| Light | Flashlights, lanterns, batteries | Ready.gov: use these, not candles |
| Power | Charged phones and power banks | Know how long your phone lasts |
| Warmth | Blankets, hats, gloves, warm layers | Plan to stay warm without heat |
| Health | Medications, first aid kit, pet supplies | Ask your doctor about storage |
Example: a family of four storing a 3-day supply needs at least 4 × 3 = 12 gallons of water. The CDC suggests a 2-week supply if you can, and more for pets, illness, or pregnancy.
What to do during a power outage
During a power outage, the biggest dangers are carbon monoxide, fire, and cold, not the dark.
Never use a gas stove, oven, grill, or dryer to heat your home. Never run a car or generator in a garage, even with the door open.
- Generators: outdoors only, at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents (Ready.gov, CPSC). The CPSC reports nearly 100 U.S. deaths a year from generator carbon monoxide, as of its 2026 release.
- Space heaters: keep all sides at least 3 feet from beds, curtains, sofas, and anything that can burn (CPSC).
- Fridge and freezer: keep the doors closed. Don't store food outside in the snow.
- Electronics: unplug them to avoid damage from surges when power returns.
- Water: follow any boil-water advisory from your utility.
- Cold: stay in one room, layer up, and go somewhere warm if the house gets too cold.
Pipes can freeze fast in an outage. See how to prevent frozen pipes, and if you live in a manufactured home, how to winterize a mobile home.
Is food safe after a power outage?
Food in a closed refrigerator stays safe for about 4 hours. A full freezer holds a safe temperature for about 48 hours, and a half-full freezer about 24 hours (FoodSafety.gov).
- Throw out refrigerated food that sat at 40°F or above for more than 4 hours
- Throw out anything with an unusual smell, color, or texture
- Replace refrigerated medicines after a day or more without power, unless the label says otherwise
- When in doubt, throw it out
What to check after the storm
After the storm, check the house before you get back to normal.
- Walk the roof line, gutters, and vents for ice, snow, and damage
- Look for leaks, wet spots, or burst pipes
- Clear snow from furnace, dryer, and generator vents
- Take dated photos of any damage for insurance
- Restock the kit and write down what you wished you'd had
The bottom line
Make your plan and build your kit on a calm day, not when the storm is on the radar. During the outage, carbon monoxide and fire are the real dangers, so keep generators and heaters far from anything that can go wrong. Follow your local emergency officials and utility, since guidance can vary by area.
Common questions
What should be in a winter storm emergency kit?
Water, nonperishable food, flashlights, extra batteries, a battery or hand-crank radio, phone power banks, blankets and warm layers, a first aid kit, medications, and pet supplies. Ready.gov recommends supplies for several days.
How much water do I need for a power outage?
The CDC recommends at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for a 3-day supply, and more for pets, people who are sick or pregnant, or hot climates.
How long is food safe in the fridge without power?
About 4 hours if the door stays closed. A full freezer holds a safe temperature for about 48 hours and a half-full freezer about 24 hours, according to FoodSafety.gov.
How far should a generator be from the house?
Ready.gov and the CPSC say to run portable generators outdoors only, at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents. Never run one in a garage, even with the door open.
What is the difference between a winter storm watch and a warning?
A watch means conditions are favorable for a significant winter storm. A warning means the storm is expected, imminent, or happening, so finish your preparations right away.
When you're ready for the next step
Keep reading
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes (Including in a Mobile Home)The simple steps that keep pipes from freezing in a house or mobile home, and what to do if one freezes anyway.
How to Winterize a Mobile Home: A Bottom-Up ChecklistA step-by-step winter checklist for mobile and manufactured homes, from the water lines underneath to the roof, plus what to do if it will sit empty.