Home / Guidance / Home Disaster Guides / Winter Ready Home : Before the Event
What to do before a winter weather event
Winter weather can be harsh, keep your family safe and your building prepared as severe weather approaches.
Last-Minute Actions
When severe winter weather is forecast, take these last-minute actions.
Winter Ready Home Event Checklist
A checklist to make last minute prep before severe winter weather hits and to recover quickly after the event.
STAY INFORMED & ACTIVATE PLAN
1. Monitor the weather.
- Stay informed.
- Find a reliable source for severe weather information. Follow the National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Prediction Center (WPC) on Facebook or X, and your local NWS office. Tune in to local news often when winter weather is forecast.
- Enable wireless emergency alerts on your cell phone. What to listen for:
- Winter Storm, Winter Weather, Blizzard, Wind Chill
- A WATCH means be prepared.
- A WARNING means take action.
- Have a weather alert radio that broadcasts emergency alerts from the National Weather Service nearby.
- Activate your winter plan.

PREPARE YOUR HOME
2) Prevent pipes from freezing
- Set your thermostat to a minimum of 55°F (12.8°C).
- Open cabinet doors where piping is present, especially when pipes are next to an outside wall.
- Let all faucets drip during extreme cold weather.

3) Turn on heat cables before the snow starts to fall if you have an ice dam prevention system.
- If you have an ice dam prevention system, turn it on before the snow begins to fall.

4) Ensure you have plenty of supplies, such as:
- Fuel for generators.
- Snow removal equipment such as shovels or a snow blower.
- De-icing products for walkways and stairs.

5) Create a home inventory video.
- Use your cell phone to video each room to show your belongings. Documenting your belongings is easier before a disaster happens.
