How To Survive An Ice Storm

An ice storm can quickly paralyze a region and it is so dangerous that merely walking out of your door is a huge risk to your survival.

During an ice storm, power often goes out. Power lines and tree branches simply cannot take the weight of ice build-up so they come crashing down. And when power goes out during an ice storm, repair crews can’t make the necessary repairs until after the storm passed – which could take a long time.

Bear in mind that it is a really dangerous thing to have no power during an ice storm. If during a snow storm, it is still possible to travel from one place to another; your capability to move to a much safer place is dramatically decreased during an ice storm where road conditions are a lot riskier. Therefore, be sure you have means to keep warm during an ice storm and there’s no power. Consider also that the pipes in your home may freeze.

Preparing for an Ice Storm

Just before a major storm, one thing always happens: people rush to the grocery stores and panic buy, emptying the shelves of food and other necessities. Don’t wait until there’s a forecast for a storm to prep, start stocking up on food, water and other emergency items as early as now.

If you have at least 2-weeks’ worth of food and water stored, you won’t have to race against others who are unprepared and risk not getting any supply. Be sure to have ready to eat food items like canned food or MREs. Don’t forget staples and you’ll also want bread and milk. Municipal tap water pumps might go dead so make sure you have clean potable water stored.

Prepare for a power outage. Get candles and flashlights plus extra batteries and put them in convenient locations. Make sure you have fuel for your car tanks, kerosene heaters, propane tanks and wood stove. You’ll need a way to monitor the weather so have a hand-crank radio or a battery-operated weather radio with backup batteries.

Charge your cellular phones and other electronics you may need for communication, getting information or passing the time during the storm i.e. tablets and laptops. Conserve the power of your cell phone – shut it off if you’re not going to use it to make necessary calls. Cellphone towers are usually repaired faster than power lines.

You should also have a safe indoor cooking stove and review the safety procedures for it. Remember: carbon monoxide kills.

For your car, you must have the following:

- fuel

- tire chains

- tow strap

- salt/sand

- shovel

- ice scraper

- snow brush

- safe gas can

- extra gloves, hat and blanket

- 72-hour kit with food and water

- road flares

- LED flashlight

- car charger for cell phone

- other things you think might be helpful

I suggest making your home ice storm ready so you can hunker down safely and comfortably as you wait the storm out. However, you also need to prep your vehicle in case something unexpected happens i.e. your home gets damaged due to a falling tree limb (be sure to trim large limbs if you have a tree near your house) or the roof collapses due to the weight of the ice. You might need to evacuate so make sure that your car is well equipped.

During the storm, it is best to concentrate the heat in just one part of the house especially if there’s a power outage. Close all doors to other rooms. Rearrange your living room and turn it into a temporary sleeping space for all. Gather every blanket, comforter, sleeping bag and throw and use them as insulation. Cover windows and doors with towels or blankets.

Have backup heat source. Build a fire in the fireplace to generate heat. If you have a kerosene heater or use a wood-burning stove, be sure the room is ventilated somehow to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep these running or burning only long enough to generate heat. Never use a generator inside as doing so is extremely dangerous.

What if You’re Outdoors When You Learn of a Coming Ice Storm?

Get to where you’re going fast – before the storm hits.

If you don’t make it to your destination and you get stranded, remember these:

- stay in your car (or tent); venturing out in extreme weather lowers your survival chances; wait out the storm inside your vehicle or tent; if you have no shelter, seek out a cave or overhang; if it comes to it, build a snow cave

- keep yourself warm and dry by keeping the windows rolled up or the tent flap closed while you’re inside. Wrap yourself with a blanket, tarp, coat, etc. If you’re with someone, use each other’s body heat.

- If you’re in the car, let the engine run but don’t do this if the exhaust pipe is clogged with snow. Carbon monoxide will be trapped inside and poison you.

- if you’re in the wild, build a fire close by to keep you warm and attract the attention of rescuers

- stay hydrated to keep your body healthy and functioning well; if you don’t have water, melt snow and drink it. Do not eat snow as it can harm your body.

- ration your food to make it last as long as possible

- after the storm, either dig your way out of your car/tent and walk to safety or wait to be rescued (your actions will depend on your physical state after the storm).

- if you’re on a road, your chances of getting rescued soon is higher so sit tight – people have survived more than a week waiting for help inside a car.

- if you are in the wild, you may need to hike to safety on your own; get your bearings first before setting out

- get medical help if necessary

Always be prepared!

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