How to Survive in a Heavy Snowstorm

If you have to suffer from a natural disaster, a snowstorm will do. The fatality rate is relatively low—the worst blizzard in American history, the Great White Hurricane of 1888, claimed only 400 lives in total—and preparing for it is simple. As long as you don’t do anything stupid and don’t get very unlucky, you should be fine.

Determine what danger you are in

As with most natural disasters, preparation is key, and it begins with determining the degree of danger you are in. Blizzards are most common in the northern Midwest and the Great Plains in the US, but they could theoretically occur in any part of the country except the Gulf Coast. , coastal California and Hawaii – but with our exciting new climate, who even knows if this rule will hold?

If you live in an area where blizzards are common, take a few minutes on lazy summer days to plan for a potential snow disaster. Do the following:

Make a snowstorm emergency kit

For a snowstorm, you need to prepare for several cold days without electricity. You should have a basic disaster survival bag tucked away in an easily accessible place in your home in case of any natural disaster. According to the government , a template for any emergency kit will contain:

• Water and non-perishable food for a few days
• Additional battery or mobile phone charger
• Battery operated or hand operated radio that can receive NOAA Weather Radio audio alerts and optional batteries.
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Help whistle
• Dust mask to filter polluted air, and plastic film and adhesive tape to cover in place.
• Wet wipes, trash bags and plastic ties for personal hygiene.
• Spark-proof wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener (if you have canned food in your set)
• Local maps
• Extra clothes and blankets (although I bet you already know where they are in your house)

Here’s a handy shopping list you can take to the supermarket, complete with “extra credit” items like prescription drugs and games to keep you busy.

Stay up to date with upcoming weather reports

Access multiple sources of information, from the Internet to TV and radio, and make sure you can get updates even if the power goes out.

Know the difference between “recommendations”, “watchers” and “warnings”.

As the cold weather approaches, you may hear buzzwords for upcoming storms on your NOAA weather radio and other sources. Here’s a short course on relevant National Weather Service winter weather warnings and their meaning, with the most dangerous ones listed first.

Warnings

A warning indicates an 80% or greater likelihood of conditions that threaten life or property and that travel will become difficult or impossible. In other words, “This storm is serious business.”

• Blizzard Warning : A blizzard warning indicates that the following conditions are occurring or expected within the next 12 to 18 hours: Snow and/or blizzard will reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less for three hours or longer, and sustained winds of 35 mph. or more or frequent gusts up to 35 mph or more.
• Winter Storm Warning: A winter storm warning is issued when a significant combination of dangerous winter weather occurs or is imminent. This means five inches or more of snow/sleet in a 12-hour period or seven inches or more of snow/sleet in a 24-hour period and/or sufficient ice accumulation to damage trees or power lines. It can also mean a life-threatening or destructive combination of snow and/or ice accumulation with wind.

Clock

Hours are designed to provide sufficient lead times so you can plan for your security. They are usually released a day or so before the predicted event, when there is more than a 50% chance of it happening.

• Winter Storm Watch : A winter storm watch is issued when there is a possibility of significant and dangerous winter weather conditions within 48 hours. This does not mean that there will be significant and dangerous winter weather – it only means that it is possible.
• Blizzard Watching : This means that the conditions are favorable for a snowstorm – poor visibility with winds of at least 35 mph.

advice

Winter storm reports indicate that less severe (but still worrisome) weather conditions are possible. Remember, however, that a storm can change from one state to another, so keep checking. Visitthe National Weather Service website for more information on weather warnings.

Stay at home if a blizzard is coming

If you only have one rule for surviving a blizzard, make it this: don’t go outside during a blizzard. If you’re at home, you’ll probably not be snowed in for more than a week (and even that’s unlikely), and you’ll be nice and cozy with some food and pajamas. Outside is Death.

What to do if you are at home during a snowstorm

If you are at home during a blizzard or winter storm (as you should be), do the following:

• Stay inside (I really can’t stress this).
• Don’t forget about your pets. Bring them in too.
• If you have electric heating, turn it on as a storm approaches in case your power goes out.
• Stay in a small isolated space: To keep warm, stay in the same room for as long as possible.
• Place towels and rags under doors to keep warm.
• Be careful with alternative heaters such as kerosene. They can cause a fire, and if not properly ventilated, you can die from carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Make sure Jack Torrance doesn’t mess up the radio and the snowcat so you and Danny get trapped in the Overlook.
• Layer of clothing: Wear several layers of light clothing.
• Close windows at night but open them during the day to trap heat from sunlight.
• Save batteries: Only use your phone to call the authorities.

What to do if you are stuck in your car during a blizzard or snowstorm?

Being locked in a car during a snowfall is bad, but not necessarily deadly bad. Here is a detailed guide to surviving trapped in a car .

What to do if you are caught outdoors during a snowstorm

So you didn’t listen when I told you to stay home, right? Now you stumble blindly into a snowstorm and freeze to death. Without embellishment, things are going badly for you, and your survival depends on the strength of the storm. But here’s what to do:

• Find Shelter : Take shelter from the wind and snow. Do not try to get home or anywhere else if there is a safe place to wait.
• Cover Exposed Flesh : I suppose this will cross your mind anyway, but just in case, cover as much as you can to keep warm and avoid frostbite.
• Build Shelter: The National Weather Service recommends the following if you can’t find shelter: “Build a canopy, windbreak, or snow cave to keep out the wind. Light a fire for warmth and attention. Place rocks around the fire to absorb and reflect the heat.” I think they are very optimistic. During a major blizzard, like the “Baby Blizzard” in Minnesota in 1888, people were dying within yards of their homes because they were disoriented and blind, so you probably won’t have time to build an igloo or anything. in a real blizzard. But learn wilderness survival tactics if you dare .
• Melt snow for water: You can melt snow for water, but don’t eat it – it will lower your body temperature.

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