01/22/2026
OK, we know that there’s snow and ice coming so we have had a little time to prepare but if you have not, you need to get started on this ASAP. Yes I am a scout at heart and preparedness is my middle name . I would much rather be prepared to not need it then be caught off guard. Plus, there’s a lot of people out there that don’t normally experience snow and ice and they may not know about these things so I’m posting here to help. 
There’s a few things that I would add to this list:
❄️❄️❄️ BEFORE THE STORM
24–48 HOURS AHEAD
* do not fear! I know for some it’s easier said than done, but it will be easier. If you are prepared for what you can ahead of time, you know the doing your own part thing, God‘s got you 
* right before the storm comes, make sure that you are showered, and all your laundry and dishes are clean. Maybe it’s just me, but if power goes out, the last thing I want is smelly, toxic dishes or smelly, toxic me lol in a storm like this, the power may be out for quite some time. I normally I do not like paper plates, etc. but now would be the time to do it to help cut down on dishes during the storm. Be sure to make sure all the trash is removed from the home before things get really bad and you can’t get to your outdoor receptacles. 
* check with your neighbors, especially the elderly and create a plan for their safety i.e. - if the power goes out, I will be there to come get you and bring you to my house, etc. because you may not have phone service or anything to check on someone or help.
* have a potty plan in place for your indoor animals. If it is super cold outside, and you lose electricity, you don’t want to be opening up the door every five minutes for the dog to do his business outside. No until that happens we can always put a tarp down right outside your back door and lift it up so that there’s some grass under there for Fido to do her business 
* use some old sheets or extra blankets to cover drafty windows and doorways, especially if you lose power. Some people also designate one room for everyone to be in and often times pitch an outdoor tent inside their home and huddle under there for warmth.  the little kiddos would love it.
* as long as you have electricity, make sure that your phone stays charged 
* make sure you have plenty of bottled water to drink. You’re not gonna wanna open your fridge and you need to stay hydrated. You can last many days fasting from food if needed, but you cannot live without water.
* this really should go without saying, but as usual I feel like I need to say it. Stay off the roads. Nobody needs to go anywhere. Everything is going to be shut down except for Emergency services. Let the professionals do what they need to do.
* that being said if you are emergency personnel, you already know the game plan that your division has put in place so some people will be having to be in hotels close to hospitals so they could walk to work, so families might be separated during the storm. In the old days, hospitals used to pay people’s hotel bill, but not anymore so if you know someone staying in a hotel, perhaps you could help them out in a tangible way now, so they could be prepared in the hotel. 
* if your community has a page on here, check it regularly to see if you can help a neighbor in need; especially if you can access them on horseback. And snow your best mode of Transportation is your horse 
* if you are in an area that gets ice, please stay indoors. Nobody and I mean nobody wins when ice is involved.
* when the emergency part is over, don’t forget to go outside and enjoy the snow. For some of you it may be the only snow that you get to see because you’re in a southern state.
Here’s what someone else wrote and I copied and paste it. I don’t know the original poster, but it is all valuable information.

❄️1. Charge all phones, power banks, tablets, and rechargeable lanterns.
❄️2. Fill vehicle gas tanks in case stations lose power.
❄️3. Get cash in small bills in case card systems go down.
❄️4. Pick up prescriptions and essential medications early.
❄️5. Download movies, books, and maps for offline use.
❄️6. Identify one warm room in the house to “camp out” if power fails.
❄️7. Locate water shut-off valve and breaker box now, not later.
❄️8. Set fridge and freezer to colder settings to hold temperature longer.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
WATER AND PIPE PROTECTION
❄️9. Drip faucets on exterior walls when temps drop below freezing.
❄️10. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air circulation.
❄️11. Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor spigots.
❄️12. Cover outdoor faucets with insulated caps or towels.
❄️13. Know how to shut off water quickly if a pipe bursts.
❄️14. Fill jugs, buckets, or bathtub with water for flushing and washing.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
FOOD AND KITCHEN PREP
❄️15. Keep 3–5 days of no-cook food: peanut butter, tuna, bread, crackers, canned meat, fruit cups.
❄️16. Have manual can opener available.
❄️17. Buy shelf-stable milk or powdered milk if needed.
❄️18. Freeze a few water bottles to act as freezer “ice packs.”
❄️19. Keep a cooler ready to move fridge food outside if power is out and temps are below freezing.
❄️20. Avoid stocking large amounts of perishables right before the storm.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
HEAT AND HOME SAFETY
❄️21. Gather extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm layers.
❄️22. If using a fireplace, confirm chimney is clear and have dry wood.
❄️23. Never run generators or grills inside garages or homes.
❄️24. Test smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors.
❄️25. Have at least one flashlight per person plus spare batteries.
❄️26. Use battery lanterns instead of candles when possible.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
VEHICLE AND TRAVEL
❄️27. Plan to avoid driving once freezing rain begins.
❄️28. Bridges, overpasses, and shaded roads freeze first.
❄️29. Keep in the car: blanket, water, snacks, phone charger, gloves.
❄️30. Replace old wiper blades and top off washer fluid.
❄️31. Park away from large tree limbs when possible.
❄️32. Assume flights and travel may be disrupted for days.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
POWER OUTAGE PLAN
❄️33. Unplug sensitive electronics to avoid surge damage.
❄️34. Keep one battery radio or weather app for updates.
❄️35. Use surge protectors for TVs and computers.
❄️36. Know where warming centers may be in your parish.
❄️37. Have extension cords ready if using a generator outside.
❄️38. Keep refrigerator closed to preserve cold air.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
PETS AND LIVESTOCK
❄️39. Bring pets indoors with extra food and water.
❄️40. Provide outdoor animals with unfrozen water sources.
❄️41. Add straw or blankets to outdoor shelters.
❄️42. Keep leashes and carriers accessible in case of evacuation.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
MEDICAL AND SPECIAL NEEDS
❄️43. Keep a written list of medications and dosages.
❄️44. Store a small first-aid kit with thermometer and basic meds.
❄️45. Have backup batteries for medical devices.
❄️46. Identify a place with power you could relocate to if needed.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
PROPERTY PROTECTION
❄️47. Move vehicles away from trees or power lines.
❄️48. Secure outdoor furniture and lightweight items.
❄️49. Avoid trimming trees during the storm—do it beforehand.
❄️50. Photograph property for insurance before conditions worsen.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
DURING THE STORM
❄️51. Do not drive unless absolutely necessary.
❄️52. Assume downed lines are live and dangerous.
❄️53. Use only safe indoor heating methods.
❄️54. Check on neighbors, especially elderly, by phone if possible.
❄️55. Report outages to utility companies rather than 911 unless it’s an emergency.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
AFTER THE STORM
❄️56. Walk carefully—ice may refreeze overnight.
❄️57. Check pipes for leaks as temperatures rise.
❄️58. Throw out refrigerated food if above 40°F for more than 4 hours.
❄️59. Avoid DIY electrical repairs around downed lines.
❄️60. Be patient—restoring power after ice can take several days.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
KEY REALITY FOR SOUTHERN ICE EVENTS
❄️A quarter inch of ice can bring scattered outages.
❄️Half an inch can cripple travel and power for days.
❄️Ice is more dangerous than snow for the Deep South
