Wow what an end to January. If you’re on the East Coast, you’ve really been going through it. This snow and ice storm was no joke, and in our area (and many nearby), we’re honestly still dealing with the impact.
Moments like this remind me that being organized isn’t just about tidy spaces — it’s also about being prepared when life gets unpredictable. Here’s what worked well for us and what I’ll do differently next time. Most of these tips work for any storm or emergency situation.
What We Did Well ✅
- Shopped ahead of time (could’ve been earlier, but it still helped a lot) and had plenty of food, snacks, and drinks
- Prepped our pipes and faucets to help prevent freezing
- Stored extra water in jugs in case of a power or water outage
- Found a non-electric heat source in case we lost power
- Charged all power banks, solar lights, and gathered flashlights
- Talked through a simple power outage plan (where we’d sleep, how we’d stay warm, etc.)
- Prepped food in advance so we had easy meals ready
- Brought snow shovels and gear inside (and yes, the sled too)
- Covered one car with a tarp for ice and snow protection
- Put towels along drafty areas in our older home to help block cold air
- Got all the laundry done so we had plenty of clean, warm clothes and towels
- Gathered storm supplies into one main area so we weren’t searching all over the house
- Keep gas tanks at least half full before a storm hits — you don’t want to be hunting for open gas stations if power is out or roads are bad
- Set out boots, gloves, hats, and snow gear in one easy-to-grab spot instead of digging through closets when you actually need them
- Took care of a possible health issue with my daughter ahead of time — scheduled a quick doctor visit and filled meds just in case, knowing access to care might be harder with schools and offices closed
Lessons for Next Time 🧠
- Cover both cars as much as possible — some of my car doors were frozen shut for days
- Shovel snow as low to the ground as possible before it turns to ice
- Plan intentional indoor movement for everyone to burn energy while stuck inside (dance parties, obstacle courses, kid workouts, etc.)
- Be more thoughtful about comfort food — we had enough to eat, but still made store runs later for specific snacks and easy meals we wished we’d grabbed earlier
- Think beyond “survival food” and include morale boosters that help everyone feel a little more cozy and calm
- Take photos of your fridge and freezer contents before the storm in case of a long power outage (helps with insurance claims and remembering what you had)
- Download movies, shows, audiobooks, and kids’ apps ahead of time in case Wi-Fi or cell service gets spotty
- Have a small “boredom box” ready for kids (or honestly adults too) with puzzles, crafts, coloring books, or simple games for when cabin fever hits
The Big Takeaway ❤️
Storm prep isn’t about fear — it’s about reducing stress and decision fatigue when things get hard. A little organizing ahead of time means less scrambling, less panic, and more ability to focus on your family and well-being.
You don’t have to do everything perfectly. Even a few small steps make a big difference for your future self. And if you’re still digging out like we are… solidarity. ❄️
What are some things you do that aren’t on this list??
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