Many Western North Carolina residents are looking forward to seeing snow on Friday and Saturday.
In all the excitement, residents don’t want to forget to prepare ahead ― with the chance of snow comes the chance of getting snowed in.
Here’s what to get from stores to prepare for winter weather.
What winter emergency essentials should I buy?
∎ Flashlights
∎ Batteries
∎ Battery-operated radio
∎ Backup energy sources (portable power banks and solar chargers)
∎ Can opener
∎ First aid kit
∎ Thermal emergency blankets
∎ A propane or kerosene space heater rated for indoor use
∎ One-week supply of prescription medication and medical supplies
∎ Pet food and medicine
∎ Baby food, formula, and diapers
How should I stock my pantry for winter weather?
Hearing the word “snow” doesn’t mean you need to panic shop, but it is still wise to ensure you and your loved ones don’t go without during unforeseen circumstances, like the power going out or being snowed in. Before the winter weather hits, you can try stocking up on these snowstorm essentials in advance, per Direct Energy:
∎ Bottled water (one gallon per day for at least three days)
∎ Canned foods like warm soups and stews
∎ Snack food (package sealed chips, crackers, and cookies)
∎ Cereal and granola
∎ Anything jarred like jelly, pickles, and meats
∎ Canned tuna and salmon
∎ Shelf-stable peanut butter and other nut butters
∎ Dried pasta and jarred sauce
∎ Wax-sealed hard cheeses
∎ Salted butter (salted lasts longer than unsalted)
∎ Dried fruit
∎ Nuts
∎ Jerky
∎ Energy bars
∎ Shelf-stable juice
∎ Coffee, tea, and hot cocoa mix
∎ Extra toilet paper and paper towels
What last-minute foods should I buy before it snows?
If you have time to run to the grocery store before it snows, try picking up the following foods:
∎ Bread
∎ Eggs
∎ Fruit and vegetables
∎ Ingredients to bake with to keep the house warm (like cookies)
Ice on standing water as a man walks his dog along East North Avenue in Anderson, S.C. Tuesday, January 7, 2024.
How else can I prepare my home for winter weather?
∎ Cooking: If you do not have a gas stove, you can gather necessities for your outdoor grill like charcoal, matches, newspapers, and lighter fluid. Get a propane tank for a gas grill. With the right supply of fuel, you may also use a camping stove. Those who can’t skip out on their morning coffee can get a tea kettle or French press to prepare it by heat of fire.
∎ Maintain your generator: Top off fuel supply and replace stale fuel. Check that your generator is up to date for maintenance, which includes oil changes, filters, and spark plugs. You will also need to make sure that the extension cords you use for your generator are undamaged and rated for generator use. Have an electrician install a transfer switch if you plan on running your generator through your main electrical panel.
∎ Maintain a cold refrigerator and freezer: Fill empty spaces with water containers or ice. Use dry ice (which maintains a temperature of -109 degrees F) to salvage perishables. Fifty pounds of dry ice can keep a fully stocked 18-foot cubic freezer frozen for two days, per FDA recommendations. Make sure you have a few refrigerator thermometers on hand to measure temps throughout the day.
∎ Gas: Top off your vehicle’s gas tank.
Ice crystals on a car window as sun rises in Anderson, S.C. Tuesday, January 7, 2024.
Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Snow is coming. Be prepared: What to get before a snowstorm