Quick cardWeather and disasters
Weather and disasters

Winter storm and freeze

Ice, extreme cold, and maybe no power or water, as in historic winter storms.

Call 911
Do this nowTap each step when done
  1. 1Fill water jugs and the bathtub before it freezes.
  2. 2Let the cold water drip and open the kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
  3. 3Gather everyone and your pets in one interior room.
  4. 4Plug gaps with towels. Close curtains and the other doors.
  5. 5Dress in layers. Hat and socks for sleeping too.
  6. 6A pipe bursts? Shut off the main valve now.
  7. 7Confusion, slurred speech, or stopped shivering? Call 911.
1. Fill water jugs and the bathtub   2. Let the cold water drip; open the cabinets   3. Everyone in one room; towels in gaps   4. Layers, hat, and socks, even for sleeping
Don't
  • Don't heat with a stove, oven, grill, or generator.
  • Don't heat pipes with a flame or torch.
  • Don't drive on ice: bridges freeze first.
  • Don't drink alcohol to warm up.
Have ready
  • Hats, gloves, and thick socks for each person.
  • Sleeping bags and blankets for the pets.
  • Foam sleeves for exposed pipes.
  • Working smoke and CO detectors.
Key factIn historic winter storms, hypothermia killed more people than everything else. Many were inside their homes.

More detail

Ch. 10 · Natural disastersOpen chapterCh. 14 · Extreme coldOpen chapter
Next urgent cardUnconscious person / not breathing: CPR and AED

Reviewed: Nov 2026 · Sources: Chapter 10 · Natural disasters