How to Survive a Deadly Blizzard

A blizzard occurs when intense snowstorms bring high winds and blinding conditions. These conditions are usually referred to as a “whiteout.” You can’t see anything, and the snow is relentless. So how can you survive a deadly blizzard?

The worst is when you’re in a car or truck trying to get through the snow. Just as bad is anyone on foot who could be invisible to those cars and trucks. Think of it as the perfect winter storm. But for anyone trying to survive in it, nothing is perfect.

How to Survive a Deadly Blizzard at Home

Surviving a blizzard at home may be the easiest way to endure the storm. That’s assuming you don’t lose power. The best way to keep your power up even during a blizzard is this Modular Backyard Power Plant that can run two chest freezers, a moderate-sized refrigerator, lights, satellite TV, satellite Internet, a desktop computer, a water pump, and many, many other items.

The biggest challenge is thoughts about family members away at work or school. If everyone’s home and the lights are on it’s just a question of waiting out the storm and thinking about when to shovel or snow-blow the driveway and sidewalks.

At Work

This is one of the tough ones. You’re at work all day and you can see the snow continuing to fall and pile up. You look at the window and can’t see a thing and wonder how you’re going to drive home or get to a bus or train.

Most employers, when aware of severe winter storms will encourage people to go home early. Unfortunately, just as many don’t. In a worst-case scenario – stay at work. Sleep in your office or in the employee lounge.

If you can’t you have to evaluate the risks of driving. That’s where most people get in trouble. Then again, you could always sleep in your car assuming you have a blanket in the trunk and enough gas to heat it up from time to time.

How to Survive a Deadly Blizzard at School

Any parent with kids at school fret about winter blizzards. Are the buses going to get the kids home? Are they going to try to walk home from school? Can I safely drive to pick them up? Parents will do anything to get their kids home safely.

It’s all a question of the distance to the school. If you must, bundle up and walk to the school with extra hats for the kids and make it an adventure. That assumes you’re within a reasonable walking distance. It also makes sense to call the school and ask what they are doing when a blizzard is forecast. They might let the kids out early before the storm or simply cancel the school day after the forecast.

On Foot

Getting caught in a blizzard on foot is the most dangerous scenario. A lot of it depends on where you are. Anyone in a city or suburb or even in some proximity to businesses or homes can find emergency refuge or some assistance.

It’s when someone is in a wilderness area or remote location that a blizzard can become life-threatening, making it crucial to know how to survive a deadly blizzard in those conditions.

The threat is a combination of cold temperatures; the wind causing the blizzard and the wind-chill factor, and the constant exposure to snow. Constant movement will cause the snow to melt due to body heat and wet clothes in a cold wind are a bad combination.

Related: What The Pioneers Did To Survive Harsh Winters

The best solution for someone caught outdoors in a blizzard in a remote location is to find some kind of shelter and wait it out. Even sitting under the boughs of a pine tree or any other natural obstruction that keeps you out of the wind and out of the blowing snow is a smart move.

The downside is if it won’t stop you will find yourself stuck in the dark and nightfall descends. That’s why improvising a shelter and starting a fire if you can makes a lot of sense. It all depends on your knowledge of your location and where you can find the best shelter. The best thing to do is watch the weather forecasts and avoid remote areas where a blizzard could cost you your life.

How to Survive a Deadly Blizzard in the Car

This is the most common occurrence for many people caught in a blizzard. Traveling from work, visiting friends or loved ones, even coming home from a remote store or location can make driving impossible and not recommended.

The last thing you need when stuck in such a situation is an illness, yet access to life-saving medication becomes nearly impossible in a crisis. Since antibiotics are typically not available over the counter, here’s an ingenious way to stockpile antibiotics without a prescription while you still can.

It’s another “wait-it-out scenario.” If you can’t see when you’re driving, neither can anyone else. Just make sure you find a safe place to park and survive a deadly blizzard by waiting it out.

A parking lot is a good choice but if you have no option but to find the side of the road -make sure your warning flashers are on and your headlights. No guarantees but it could help to signal to other drivers that there’s a car ahead.

Related: How To Store Water In Your Car For An Emergency

It’s tempting to keep the car running to keep the heater going but keep an eye on your gas gauge. You might want to stop and restart the car intermittently to warm up and recharge the battery to keep those lights flashing. It may also be wise to keep the flashers going but shut off the headlights. They use up a lot of battery power.

The biggest challenge when you pull over and park is that you never know how long the blizzard is going to last. Be conservative with your gas and battery power and try to park in a location that will not be subject to heavy traffic or drivers blinded by the storm.

The Car Kit

Everyone should have an emergency kit in their car. Even on the nicest day in midsummer, things can go wrong on the road.

A blizzard is a severe driving hazard. For little time and money, you can easily assemble a car kit that helps you survive a deadly blizzard and handle other road emergencies.

Here’s the basic list:

Two blankets. One for the front seat and one for the passengers in the back seat.
Charcoal-activated hand and foot warmers.
Stocking caps and gloves.
High protein energy bars and candy bars for generating internal body heat. Here’s how to make them.
A case of bottled water or at least a gallon of water.
Jumper cables and ideally a rechargeable battery jumper with a tire inflator built in. Some of these also have USB ports for recharging cell phones.
USB cables to recharge your phone from your car’s USB ports.
A hand-cranked radio to monitor weather reports in case the car battery dies. Make sure you get one with a flashlight built in.
Any old cell phone you’re no longer using. Even without active service many service providers will still allow a call to 911 to go through.
A small folding shovel and either skid mats or a bag of sand to dig yourself out.

There are many other exotic options from battery-powered heaters to flashing lights. How far you go with your preparations depends a lot on where you live and your tolerance for risk.

Tell the World

Most of us carry wireless mobile phones. The minute you think you are somehow trapped or stranded because of a blizzard—call home. Let people know where you are and what your situation is. Enable “find my iPhone” tracking so friends and family members can find you.

Getting caught in a blizzard is actually a bit uncommon, but if it happens, knowing how to survive a deadly blizzard is crucial. It makes sense to not only know what to do in such a situation but also to be prepared in case it ever occurs.

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