The Ultimate Winter Storm Prep Checklist for Power Outages

Winter storms have a funny way of sneaking up on us.

One minute you’re scrolling the weather app thinking, “Oh, that’s probably nothing,” and the next minute everyone is panic-buying bread and milk and the grocery store shelves are wiped clean. At least, that’s the case in our town.

We live in the Charlotte area, which means we’re right on the cusp of panic when even a whisper of a winter storm is mentioned by our local meteorologist.

Snow? No worries. But ice? That’s where things get genuinely dangerous. And because of where we live, ice is far more prevalent which also means power outages are a very real concern every time winter weather rolls in.

Over the years, we’ve learned that winter storm prep doesn’t have to be stressful or dramatic; it just needs to be intentional. If you already keep a basic home disaster kit on hand for hurricanes (like the one I shared before in What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit), you’re already ahead of the game. Many of those same supplies translate perfectly to winter storms.

To make this as easy and thorough as possible, I’ve put together a step-by-step winter storm prep checklist, broken down by 3 days before, 2 days before, and the day before the storm hits, plus a full list of no-electricity meal ideas to help you eat well even if the power goes out.

*This list might be overkill for some. But I wanted to provide you with as MUCH information as possible so you can do as much or as little preparation as you want to have peace of mind for your family and home. Don’t let panic or anxiety overwhelm you. It’s okay if you don’t do every single one of these prep tips.*

(See the bottom of this post for a printable PDF version of this checklist that you can print and use to prep your home for winter storms.)

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3 Days Before the Winter Storm

This is your planning and stocking phase. The goal here is to avoid last-minute panic and give yourself flexibility if conditions worsen.

1. Grocery Store Run: Non-Perishable & Backup Foods

Focus on foods that don’t require electricity for cooking or refrigeration for storage, plus a few fresh meals you can eat early on if the power stays on.

Grocery List Ideas:

• Shelf-stable milk or boxed milk
• Instant coffee and powdered coffee creamer (because morale matters)
• Canned soups
• Canned meats like tuna, chicken, Spam (don’t knock it)
• Non-perishable proteins like beef jerky, nuts, canned beans, protein bars, peanut butter, pepperoni (shelf-stable until you open the package)
• Carbs like crackers, wraps/tortillas, old-fashioned oats, bread, bagels, granola bars, cereal, dry pasta
• Room-temp storable fruits and veggies like apples, bananas, peaches, mangoes, tomatoes, avocado, peppers, potatoes, onions
• Shelf-stable sauces (jarred marinara, salsa, nacho cheese, ranch dressing packets, etc.)
• Canned/jarred ingredients like olives, pickles, artichoke hearts
• Snacks you’ll actually want to eat
• Chocolate of course 😉
• Jugs of water
• Drinks like Gatorade or lemonade mix packets, juice boxes
• Baby supplies like diapers, baby food pouches, formula
• Shelf-stable pet food (if your fur-baby eats fresh food)
• Hygiene products like toilet paper, baby wipes, dry shampoo, hand sanitizer, feminine hygiene products
• Food prep products like disposable plates/bowls/cups/trays/utensils, sterno cans, propane tank and/or bag of charcoal for grill

Tip: Think protein + carbs + comfort. You want food that keeps everyone full and happy when routines are off.

Remember: Don’t panic buy. Get what you need but don’t get carried away causing your neighbors to be left with nothing on the grocery shelves. Keep in mind the amount of food your household would normally eat in a week.

Related: What We Keep in Our Home Emergency Kit

2. Make an Eating Plan (This Is Key)

Plan meals from most perishable to least perishable, assuming electricity may become unreliable.

Here are some no-electricity food ideas that require no refrigeration, oven, or plug-in appliances. Some of these do require a skillet over a camp stove, a propane grill, or boiled water.

*Never grill indoors and always cook in well ventilated spaces.

Breakfasts Without Power:

• Cereal with boxed milk
• Bagels & “lox” (using shelf-stable pouch of smoked salmon & sliced avocado)
• Oatmeal
• Grilled peanut butter & banana sandwich
• Avocado toast w/ everything bagel seasoning (bread toasted on a skillet)

No-Power Dinner Ideas:

• Campfire baked potatoes
• Grilled pizza (Just pita bread, jarred pizza sauce, shelf-stable cheese, and pepperoni… no refrigeration required and can be cooked in a cast iron pan / on a grill rack. Or eat it room temp like a pizza Lunchable.)
• Hot dogs (store in a cooler and cook over a fire on skewers)
• Canned soup & crackers (Amy’s Organic Soups are seriously the best)
• Artichoke tomato pasta (simply dry lentil pasta boiled and topped with jarred Rao’s marinara sauce, canned artichoke hearts, and jarred kalamata olives)
• Tuna salad or chicken salad wraps (made with canned tuna/chicken, individual packets of mayo, and relish)
• Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
• Campfire nachos (or room-temp nachos using shelf-stable jarred nacho cheese, bean dip, and salsa)
• Velveeta shells & cheese
• Canned pinto beans & campfire cornbread (Combine Jiffy cornbread mix in a cast iron skillet with boxed milk and 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce instead of an egg. Cover and cook over campfire coals or grill for 15-20 minutes.)
• No-power charcuterie board: whole dry salami, shelf-stable hard cheese like aged cheddar, jar of cornichons, dried fruit, nuts, honey, jam, jarred olives (and a glass of red wine, of course)

No-Power Snack/Treat Ideas:

• Stovetop popcorn (Jiffy pops are great to keep on hand to cook over a fire or camp stove)
• S’mores
• Campfire cobbler (make with canned pie filling – peaches, apples, or cherries)
• Hot cocoa

Having this plan written down removes so much mental load when you’re tired, cold, or dealing with cranky kids at home.

Tip: Write these meal ideas on a sticky note (or on the printable checklist at the bottom of this post) and keep it in your pantry during storm season.

3. Set Up a Non-Perishable Food Prep Station

Designate one area of your kitchen as your “no-power food prep zone.”

Include:

• “Dinnerware” – Disposable plates, bowls, cups, utensils
• “Cookware” – Disposable aluminum trays and/or cast iron skillet
• Heat source(s) – Matches/lighters, bag of charcoal, propane tank, and/or Sterno cans with bricks and an oven rack (to create a makeshift stove)
• Clean-up – trash bags, paper towels, aluminum foil, Ziploc bags, disinfecting wipes
• Manual can opener

2 Days Before the Winter Storm

This is your home, safety, and errand-running phase.

1. Safety Checks

• Check that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working (and understand carbon monoxide safety when running indoor heaters)
• Check fire extinguishers and/or fire extinguishing blankets

Carbon monoxide risk increases during winter storms when people rely on fireplaces, gas heaters, or generators. This is one step you don’t want to skip.

2. Plumbing Prep

• Make sure exposed pipes are insulated, especially in crawl spaces, basements, garages, and exterior walls
• Locate your main water shut-off valve and make sure everyone in the house knows where it is

If a pipe freezes or bursts, knowing how to shut off the water quickly can prevent major damage.

3. Home & Personal Prep

• Finish all laundry (including sheets and towels)
• Wash dishes so you’re starting the storm with an empty dishwasher and clean sink
• Check weather stripping on doors and windows and replace, if needed (or use saran wrap on drafty windows)
• Set up a cozy place with bedding, pet food, and water to bring pets indoors

4. Fuel & Money Prep

• Gas up all cars
• Fill gas cans for generators
• Get cash (ATMs and card readers may not work when power is out)
• Put cash and important documents like birth certificates, insurance info, etc in a waterproof/fireproof document bag

5. Supply Check

• Stock dry shampoo and water wipes (for quick hygiene clean-up without showers)
• Stock your family’s first-aid kit
• Charge all rechargeable backup phone chargers
• Gather flashlights, lanterns, candles, lighters, matches, and crank radio
• Pick up any prescription medications you might need in the coming week(s)
• Pull together any other emergency supplies
• Pack a go-bag or bug-out bin (just in case)

6. Freezer Trick

• Freeze a cup of water and place a penny on top (this helps you tell later if your freezer thawed during a power outage). If the penny is still at the top of the cup, your frozen food is still good. If the penny has sunk to the bottom of the cup, your frozen food needs to be thrown out.

1 Day Before the Winter Storm

This is your comfort + final safety prep day.

1. Cozy & Comfort Prep

• Have everyone in the house take showers
• Bake banana bread or another comforting snack
• Create a no-power entertainment pile:
  • Board games
  • Books
  • Crafts (like jewelry-making/crochet kits or paper chain supplies)
  • Card games
  • Puzzles
  • Sudoku/crossword/MadLibs book
  • Battery-powered AM/FM radio for music
  • Glow sticks
  • LEGO
  • Manicure kit

2. Cold-Weather Gear

• Gather hand warmers and/or hot water bottles
• Pull out winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves, thick socks, and boots
• Set aside lots of warm blankets

3. House Prep

• Prep a cooler with ice (might not be necessary if you live in a climate that never gets above freezing)
• Prep battery backup on your gas fireplace ignition (if you have one)
• Salt driveway and walkways (sand or kitty litter can help instead if you can’t find salt)
• Have a leaf blower (to use as a makeshift snow blower) and chainsaw with fuel accessible in the garage (in case of fallen trees)
• Put a penny on top of the frozen water cup in the freezer (especially helpful in a deep freezer to check for food safety later)
• Trickle faucets to help prevent frozen pipes (especially sinks on exterior walls or in rarely used rooms)
• Open cabinet doors under your sinks to help pipes stay warm
• Disconnect any outdoor hoses, shut off water spigots, and wrap each spigot with a rag and plastic wrap
• Fill the bathtub with water + a bucket to scoop with nearby for flushing toilets if needed (lock the bathroom door so only adults have access to prevent little ones from falling in and potentially drowning)
• Charge all phones and electronic devices
• Prep a solar-powered generator or gas-powered generator (if you have one)
• Keep a camping tent handy, if you have one (if the power goes out, huddling in a tent indoors with lots of warm blankets can help retain body heat)
• Close doors and window drapes to contain heat in each room as much as possible

4. Garage & Cars

• Pull cars out of the garage if your garage door doesn’t have the ability to open manually (or the garage door being frozen shut is a concern).
• Cover cars outside with tarps

Winter Storm Car Prep (If You May Have to Leave for Work)

If you or your spouse may need to drive during or after the storm, prepping your car is just as important as prepping your home.

Keep in each vehicle:

• Tire chains (if applicable for your area)
• Blankets (or at least an emergency blanket)
• Hand warmers
• Flashlight
• Some non-perishable food
• Bottled water
• First-aid kit
• Windshield de-icer spray and ice scraper
• Sand/salt bags or flattened cardboard boxes (for traction if you get stuck)
• Jumper cables and portable tire inflator

Even short commutes can turn into long waits during winter weather, so think warmth, visibility, and hydration.

Printable Storm Prep Checklist PDF

Print this storm prep checklist to help you prep your own home (or open it in the Adobe Acrobat app to check off boxes digitally).

Final Thoughts

Winter storms are unpredictable, but your preparation doesn’t have to be. A little planning spread out over a few days can make a huge difference not just in safety, but in comfort and peace of mind. A power outage can actually be fun if you take a day or two to prepare for it.

And if you already have a home disaster kit ready to go, you’re already doing more right than you think. Winter storms, hurricanes, and power outages all have a lot of overlap; it’s just about adapting what you already have.

A little extra attention to things like pipes, water shut-offs, clean laundry, methods for staying warm, and backup meals before the storm can save a lot of stress (and mess) later.

Stay warm, stay safe, and may your power stay on… but if it doesn’t, you’ll be ready.

Do you have any other winter storm tips you’d add to the list? Drop them below so we can be even more prepared.