Winter storm and freeze

Many cities rarely get snow, but when extreme cold arrives they are not prepared: uninsulated pipes, homes built for heat, streets without salt, and a power grid under strain. Historic winter storms, such as the one in February 2021 in the southern U.S., left hundreds of confirmed deaths. Almost two out of three were from hypothermia; others were from carbon monoxide, car crashes, and fires. Millions of people lost power and many lost running water, on average for more than two days. Some cities had to issue a boil-water notice for the entire population.

Before

• Fill water jugs and the bathtub with water before it freezes (tub water only for the toilet and cleaning).
• Extra blankets, sleeping bags, hats, gloves, and thick socks for each person; beds or blankets for the pets.
• Insulate exposed pipes (outside, on the patio, at the water heater in an exterior closet) with foam sleeves.
• Disconnect and store outdoor hoses.
• Fill the tank of each car and prepare the winter car kit (chapter 2).
• Buy food that does not need cooking and batteries before the stores empty out.
• Working smoke and CO detectors.

During: protect the pipes

1. Let cold water drip from faucets with pipes in exterior walls. Your water utility may ask that not all faucets be left running so pressure is not lost: follow its instructions.
2. Open the cabinet doors in the kitchen and bathroom so warm air reaches the pipes. Keep chemicals out of reach of pets.
3. Keep the thermostat at a constant temperature day and night. If you go out, do not set it below 55 °F (13 °C).
4. If a pipe freezes (only a trickle of water comes out): leave the faucet open and warm the pipe with a hair dryer, an electric heating pad, or towels soaked in hot water. Never use a blowtorch, open flame, or gas or kerosene heater.
5. If a pipe bursts, shut off the main water valve immediately and notify your landlord or property manager, and your water utility if the leak is in the street.

During: stay warm without power

1. Gather everyone in a single interior room, with the pets. Close the other doors.
2. Block drafts under doors with towels; close the curtains.
3. Dress in loose layers; wear a hat and socks even to sleep. Remove layers if you start to sweat: wet clothing chills you.
4. Eat and drink warm liquids regularly; no alcohol.
5. Electric heaters: only if there is power, plugged directly into the wall, with anything flammable 3 feet (1 m) away.
6. Never use the stove, the oven, a grill, a generator, or a car running in a garage to heat yourself (chapter 9).
7. Watch for hypothermia in everyone: intense shivering, confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness (chapter 7). In pets: shivering, lethargy.

After

• When things thaw, check pipes, ceilings, and walls: many leaks appear when the water starts running again.
• Follow any boil-water notice until your water utility lifts it.
• Do not drive on ice: bridges and overpasses freeze first.
• Restock your reserve of water, batteries, and food.