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Natural Disasters

3 Tips To Help You Survive A Winter Storm

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Survive A Winter Storm

This year has seen some early winter weather that, in some parts of the country, has been fairly severe.

Winter storm Atlas already moved through Wyoming, South Dakota and a few neighboring states.

In some areas it dumped over 2 feet of snow on unprepared people.

I was surprised when I saw the reports on the news that part of our country was expecting a major blizzard in the first week of October, my wife thought I was pulling her leg until I showed her the news.

The ranchers in the region were hurt badly with loss of cattle being reported in the thousands to tens of thousands from different sources.

This storm came through in early October before the cattle had grown out their insulating coat of fur that helps them survive the often-brutal winters of that region.

The pictures of flooded and frozen dead cattle are bone chilling!

I couldn’t find any data on whether any human lives were lost due to winter storm Atlas but the loss of human life is common with winter storms.

Here are 3 important things should you do to prepare for this coming winter:

1. Maintain and prepare your vehicle.

A common cause of loss of life during the winter is being caught in a storm in your vehicle. It’s easy to feel safe sitting inside your car, truck or SUV when you have the heater turned up but outside the conditions could kill you within hours or even minutes.

This is a good time to take your car to the shop for routine maintenance. Check the fluids, hoses and belts for wear and replace anything that’s worn or damaged. Just because it’s working doesn’t mean it’ll stay that way. Have your anti-freeze checked because it does loose its effectiveness over time.

Your windshield wiper blades should be swapped out for winter ones and the fluid changed to one made for winter use which will help remove snow and ice.

Also check your tires and make sure they have good tread to get you safely through the winter. A good pair of winter tires could be a lifesaver if caught in back weather. And the proper tires and good tread help you from hydroplaning and loosing control in the rain and slush.

During bad winter weather it’s also recommended that you keep a pretty full tank of gas. If you get stranded or you’re route is cut off you may be on the road longer than you anticipate. Stop and top off your tank!

Don’t forget to clear off all your windows from snow and ice. Visibility is crucial when driving in winter weather.

Also make a survival gear kit to keep in your vehicle. Here are some things you should have in your car to survive a winter storm:

  • Tire chains or snow socks for traction in ice and snow.
  • Food and water incase you’re stranded.
  • Ice and snow scraper and chemical ice remover.
  • Thermal winter clothes like jackets, winter boots, blankets, wool socks, winter gloves, wool caps and the like should be in your vehicle all winter.
  • Signaling devices like a mirror, flares and a radio to call for help.
  • Hand and feet warming packets are easy to store and can help stave off frostbite and hypothermia.
  • A cell phone charger! You may need to call for help and you don’t want a dead phone battery.
  • Bag of sand or kitty litter for traction if needed. You may also want to keep a folding shovel to remove snow and ice if you get stuck.

This traction aid is a great addition to the trunk of your car in the winter:


2. Prepare your home and family

It’s important that you’re home is prepared for winter weather as well as your car.

A blizzard or winter storm can leave you stranded at home without power or a way to get more supplies.

FEMA and other emergency groups recommend that you keep 72 hours of supplies on hand.

As a prepper that understands how long it takes to resupply stores in a disaster situation I recommend…

Click here to continue reading the full article on prepcabin.com

Want more tips? Check out these great articles on our site:

Winter Survival Kit

The Ultimate Guide to Winter Storm Survival

Winter Storms | How to Stay Warm and Survive

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11 Comments

11 Comments

  1. Great Grey

    October 23, 2013 at 1:14 AM

    72 hours may get you through a storm but, it could be another 2-3 days or more after the storm before help can get to you.

    • Nick

      October 25, 2013 at 5:13 PM

      Hey Great Grey,

      Theres mention of keeping more than 3 days on the full article. Just click the link to continue reading it. There’s much more to it.

  2. The Mad Hungarian

    October 25, 2013 at 1:11 PM

    Along with some of the things you mentioned to store in your car, I fill an empty milk jug, with a “twist off” cap (won’t spill, if tipped over) with DRY sand and/or kitty litter. When you need it, you will be able to sprinkle it where you need it. TMH

  3. ellen

    October 25, 2013 at 2:09 PM

    Been thru this post for times still only find two tips

    • fred

      October 25, 2013 at 4:19 PM

      *four

    • Aaron Slater Wells

      October 25, 2013 at 4:42 PM

      There is a link at the bottom that says “click here to continue reading the full article.”

  4. chris g.

    October 26, 2013 at 8:38 AM

    Being a farmer, I am usually in my truck, when not home or working. It is my “bug out location” but mostly my sanctuary from insanity….kids, critters, spouse, neighbors…. I keep it well stocked, as all B.O. Locations should be, blankie, pillow, change of clothes, snacks, drinks, dog treats…I usually don’t leave home without at least one dog. They’re great for companionship, not overly chatty, and a great snuggle. Also reading glasses and my ever increasing backlog of reading material. Tools of the trade (which includes; rain gear, work/mud boots, extra socks, leather and rubber work gloves, flare gun and flares, shotgun, ect., towels to wrap newborns in, a mini vet. bag a.k.a. first aid for critters.) And although I don’t generally wear them a couple hats – one hard hat and a cowboy hat or stocking cap, in case I get the wild urge to protect my head! (Dogs are also great for telling you when something isn’t right….rain storm coming, stranger in the pasture, don’t trust that smiling guy…though it’s a bit hard to understand what their saying with that crazy accent. If only I could train them not to rat me out.. anyone who knows, will ask the dogs, “Where’s Mama (or Chris), where’s Mama?, and promptly be lead right to me. Oh, well, maybe they are a bit too chatty!)

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