Explore the consequences of the winter storm: power outages, destruction, and tips to stay warm during extreme weather situations.
Surviving A Winter Storm
While the ice storm in Ontario created quite a sight with sparkling trees covered in glistening ice and an ice-covered landscape, this Winter Wonderland also brought destruction, inconveniences, and, sadly, deaths.
With hundreds of thousands of people still without power 48 hours after the storm, some are waiting for theirs to come back on, while others enjoyed Christmas Day in the warmth of their homes.
Being prepared for an extended power outage can make getting through those long, cold days easier.
The recent cold snap hasn’t helped the situation.
Importance Of Staying Warm During A Winter Storm
Having no power means no heat in your home.
Staying warm will be a challenge if you are not prepared.
We had a little notice that this storm was coming, and I have to admit I was not as prepared as I could have been.
Beyond having lots of blankets and warm sweaters to put on, know what your city has to offer.
Seeking warming stations would have been an option if our power had stayed off for more than the three hours it was off.
These warming stations provide you not only with a place to escape the cold but also, in most cases, hot beverages to warm you up.
Generators
If you own a generator or plan to purchase one, remember that any fuel-burning device should have adequate ventilation.
Using a barbecue indoors to stay warm, whether propane- or charcoal-fueled, is not a good idea.
When you are trying to keep your house warm, you are unlikely to open any windows, and therefore your home is likely sealed air-tight.
Burning propane or a gas-powered generator inside your home, or even your garage, will produce carbon monoxide, and in an air-sealed home, it will deplete all the oxygen.
Remember, carbon monoxide is a silent killer; because it is odourless, you will not know it is in your home unless you have a carbon monoxide detector.
New Safety Requirements Starting January 1, 2026, Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odourless, and deadly gas.
Keeping your family safe means ensuring you have working CO alarms installed correctly in your home.
New requirements are coming into effect on January 1, 2026, that expand where CO
alarms must be placed in existing homes.
Carbon monoxide detectors also will not work if the power is out unless they have a backup battery, which will only work as long as the battery is charged.
Vehicle Readiness For A Winter Storm
In preparation for a storm where power may go out, having a full tank of gas in your car may be very helpful.
It may not be the most economical approach, but sitting in your car (not in a garage) may be an option to get some warmth.
Your car can also be used to charge a cell phone if you own a car charger.
Being able to get updates on the storm’s progress or when your power is expected to be back on is valuable information.
Having little or no gas in your vehicle won’t get you very far; if the power is out, gas stations will likely be without power as well.
Food Storage During A Power Outage
A significant concern for people when their power goes out is how they will keep their food in the fridge and freezer from going bad.
Keeping your fridge and freezer closed as much as possible will help keep your food cold.
Also, know that the contents of a full freezer will stay frozen for approximately 48 hours, and a half-full freezer for approximately 24 hours.
During a winter storm, you can move your food to your garage or to a balcony in baskets, boxes, or whatever you choose.
There was no shortage of ice during this latest storm, which can be used during a power outage.
Collecting ice from outside and packing it in your freezer and fridge would also help to keep your food from spoiling.
Check On Your Neighbours
Older people or those with disabilities may not cope well with a power outage, so do them a favour and check in to make sure they are okay.
In 2013, two major power outages occurred, and from both I learned that even though we live next door to our neighbours, we are on separate power grids.
We lost power for 3 hours this past week, whereas both our neighbours lost power for over 24 hours.
This may happen in your area as well, so check in with your neighbours to see if they have power.
If you do and they don’t, offer them a place in your home for warmth or let them use your outlets to charge a cell phone.
Though it may not feel like you are in Florida, having more people in a room will help keep it slightly warmer, so get to know your neighbours and help each other out.
Water Issues
In winter, it is always a good idea to make sure all outdoor plumbing lines are drained, and the water is turned off.
During a winter power outage, frozen pipes may be a concern for businesses and homeowners.
If you have chosen to leave your home and either stay with a friend, book a hotel room, or visit a local warming station.
Also, consider turning off your water completely to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
Wrapping any exposed pipes with insulation sleeves may also help.
Property Damage Assessment And Insurance
The weight of ice building up on tree branches can cause many branches to break and fall on your home, fence, or your car.
Having a good homeowners’ insurance policy means that damage to your home or property caused by a weather event will most likely be covered.
The removal of a fallen tree or branch that has not caused damage will likely be at your expense.
One thing I experienced this past week was large chunks of ice falling off overhead power lines.
Luckily, the massive piece of ice that fell on my car did not cause any damage.
Still, if it had, my insurance company would have paid to repair any damage under a comprehensive car insurance policy.
Know what your insurance policy covers, and consider a new policy if you feel your current one is inadequate in these situations.
Be Prepared Ahead Of A Winter Storm
Surviving and staying warm during a power outage, especially one that may go on for days, will be a challenge, but it can be a little easier to manage if you are prepared ahead of time.
Remember, you are not alone, and working as a team with others around you will make getting through these long, cold days more bearable.
Discussion: What other tips can you suggest for surviving a power outage?
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Here in St Marys we just missed the worst of the storm!! The older woman next door has two daughters that both live just outside of town on rural properties and they both had issues with ice that we didn’t in town. My Dad in town said his power was out but not for long.
One other thing that comes to mind in this age of cell phones and cordless phones is that your cordless will go out in a power failure, so I would want to have at least one phone in the house that has a cord to it. The wireless signal needs power to send that signal.
Those in the country like yourself know that if you have a well and the power goes out you don’t have running water either. No power to run the well pump!
A generator sounds like an idea for some, like those in the country but I’d have to think long and hard about one in town. It would depend on just how much an issue power failures are. If you are in a area that gets a lot of outages it might be worth it. My thought for the co2 detector would be to have a battery back up in the unit and maybe check/change the battery in it on the same plan as the smoke detectors, twice a year when the time change kicks in.
We have always had candles and flashlights around just in case. The big reason here tends to be the older trees around and a strong wind more so than ice. That and the odd squirrel getting itself fried on a line or transformer. I have a magnet on the fridge with the number for the local hydro company to let them know what’s out when it happens.
Your point about a neighbour being on a different line holds here as we are on the Wellington St line but the little duplex next to us is on the Church St line. So we may not have power but they do or the other way, just depends on the reason for the outage.
Great article Katrina!!!!! Glad you and the kids made it through the storm OK!!!!
My friend in Toronto told me he was without power for a few days, luckily they were able to stay with some friends who still had it. He ended up not being able to come home for the holidays because of the storm. A few years back I was without power for almost a week but was able to go to my folks house. Would have been much tougher if I hadn’t had family to lean on.
I am not sure where I got this tip but I fill two litre plastic pop bottles with water and free them. I use them to keep the freezer full so that it does not run as much and if we have a power outage it keeps the freezer cold. They came in handy when my fridge was starting to fail and we were waiting for a new one.
I use the same trick with my freezer. Large containers full of water to fill up ALL the empty space. Not only does this help keep food frozen in the event of a power-cut, but it also helps the freezer run less. (Thermal mass –
Thanks for sharing that information. 🙂
In North Carolina we have outages due to hurricanes and ice storms. A 20lb gas grill tank with a Buddy Heater really works and no sign of carbon monoxide. Also get a Coleman distribution tree and Coleman gas stove. Heat and hot food. Also light on top.
Whole thing less than 150 dollars and should last close to a week then another tank of gas. A Buddy heater 9000 BTU will last 21/2 days on 20lb of gas. Heated a bathroom and two bedrooms to 65F while freezing outside. Woodstoves are great. Freeze water ahead of time and put in fridge, also make casseroles ahead and heat up for food.
Thanks for sharing this Alvan! It’s important to always be prepared. Mr.CBB