Storm Prep 101 Plans for Peace of Mind
Be Ready Before It Snows
Winter Prep: Build a No-Panic Kit
By Lauren Bongard
Winter doesn’ t play favorites. Whether you’ re out on a quiet gravel road or tucked into a suburban cul-de-sac, a single storm can take out the power, shut down the roads and leave you wishing you’ d planned ahead. Out in the country, though, unpreparedness isn’ t just inconvenient— it can be downright dangerous.
With a little planning, winter storms don’ t have to catch you off guard. By putting together practical emergency kits for your home, barn and truck, you’ ll be ready to ride out Mother Nature’ s worst without panic when the snow piles up.
Start With a Cold-Weather Plan
The first step is to take stock of your situation. How many people are in your household? How many animals are you caring for? How long could you be stuck on your own?
Online emergency preparedness lists are a decent place to start, but rural living brings different challenges. Maybe it’ s water lines that are in danger of freezing if the power goes out, or a mile-long driveway that’ s impossible to plow until daylight.
Think through the problems you’ ve faced before and the ones that keep you up at night. Your kit should solve for those first.
Keeping the Home Fires Burning
When the wind howls and the lights flicker, you don’ t want to be scrambling for candles in the dark. A wellstocked house kit keeps your home comfortable— or at least livable— until the grid comes back online.
Start with warmth. A backup heat source, such as a safe portable propane heater or a wood or pellet stove, is your first line of defense. If you rely on a fireplace or wood stove, don’ t wait until the forecast calls for snow to stack extra wood or pellets.
And don’ t underestimate the power of good, oldfashioned layers: heavy blankets, extra quilts and warm socks can make the difference between shivering and enjoying a long winter’ s nap.
Light and power are next. Keep flashlights and headlamps handy, with extra batteries stashed in an easy-to-reach place. Rechargeable lanterns make dark
AcreageLife. com December 2025 AcreageLife 19