Ice Storm Survival Kit
How an Ice Storm Differs from a Blizzard
A blizzard's main hazard is snow volume and wind: heavy accumulation, whiteout visibility, and drifting that can trap you at home. An ice storm's hazard profile is different: freezing rain coats every surface, including tree limbs and power lines, in a layer of ice that adds substantial weight. Ice accumulation of as little as a quarter inch is enough to snap tree limbs and pull down power lines, which is why ice storms cause outages that are both more widespread and slower to fix than a typical snowstorm: utility crews have to repair broken poles and restring lines across a wide area, often in the same dangerous icy conditions, and restoration frequently takes 3 to 14 days rather than the hours or single day a snow-clearing operation might take. Roads become impassable not from snow depth but from a literal sheet of ice, and that ice doesn't clear on its own the way plowed snow does. See our blizzard and winter storm guide for the snow-specific version of this preparedness picture.
Downed Power Line Safety
- Lines can be partially hidden under snow or ice and still be live; don't assume a line is safe just because you can't see obvious damage
- Stay away from any tree or limb that's in contact with a power line, and don't attempt to clear a downed limb from a line yourself
- If a line falls on your vehicle while you're inside, stay inside and call for help unless there's a fire risk, in which case jump clear without touching the vehicle and the ground at the same time
Preparing for an Extended Outage
Because ice storm outages routinely run longer than a typical snowstorm outage, prepare for days, not hours. See our how to stay warm without power guide and power outage survival kit for the full heating, food-safety, and hour-by-hour plan; the additions specific to an ice storm are below.
- Traction underfoot matters as much as vehicle preparedness: ice-covered walkways and driveways are a leading source of injury during ice storm cleanup
- A pole saw lets you clear small storm-damaged limbs from your own property without climbing a ladder into an ice-loaded tree
- Budget for a longer outage than you would for snow alone: 3-14 days of restoration time is a realistic planning window, not a worst case
Ice Storm Kit Checklist
- Portable power station or generator (outdoor-use only) for a multi-day outage
- Battery/hand-crank NOAA weather radio
- Headlamps and flashlights, 1 per person, plus spare batteries
- LED lanterns for area lighting
- Traction cleats for boots/shoes
- Calcium chloride or another roof/walkway-safe ice melt
- Pole saw for clearing small storm-damaged limbs on your own property
- Non-perishable food and water, 7+ day supply
- Backup heating plan (see our winter power outage guide)
- Fully charged phones and power banks before the storm arrives
- Cash: card readers and ATMs may be down with the power
- Your utility company's outage-reporting number saved or written down
Recommended Products
These three cover the specific risks that make an ice storm different from a snowstorm: a longer outage, falls on ice underfoot, and storm-damaged limbs on your own property.
Portable Power Station (500Wh+)
Given how long ice storm restoration can realistically take, a power station that can be recharged from a car, generator, or solar panel matters more than one sized only for a single overnight. Prioritize enough capacity to run essentials (phones, medical devices, a CPAP) across several days of rationed use. A unit in this capacity range is too heavy to count as grab-and-go; it's meant to stay put at home, not travel with you.
- 500Wh+ capacity for multi-day rationed use
- Rechargeable via car, generator, or solar
- Pairs with the low-power heated blanket approach in our winter power outage guide
Ice Traction Cleats for Shoes/Boots
Slip-on traction cleats are cheap insurance against a fall on ice-coated walkways and driveways, one of the most common injuries during ice storm cleanup and the days after. Keep a pair by the door alongside your winter gear, not packed away somewhere you'd forget during the actual storm. They can feel awkward on bare indoor floors, so take them off before walking inside rather than wearing them everywhere out of habit.
- Slip-on, fits over existing boots/shoes
- Addresses one of the most common ice-storm injuries: falls
- Cheap enough to keep one pair per household member by the door
Manual Pole Saw
A manual (non-powered) pole saw lets you clear small ice-damaged limbs from your own trees and property without climbing a ladder into an unstable, ice-loaded tree, and without relying on a chainsaw during a power outage. Reserve anything larger, or any limb near a power line, for a professional.
- No power or fuel required
- Clears small limbs without climbing into the tree
- Never use for a limb near or touching a power line
Ice Storm Survival Kit FAQ
How is an ice storm different from a blizzard?
A blizzard's hazard is heavy snow and wind; an ice storm's hazard is weight from freezing rain coating trees and power lines, which snaps limbs and pulls down lines even with a thin layer of ice. Ice storm outages tend to be more widespread and slower to restore, often 3-14 days.
How long do power outages from ice storms typically last?
Often 3 to 14 days for full restoration, since crews must repair broken poles and restring downed lines across a wide area, frequently in the same hazardous icy conditions that caused the damage.
Is it safe to go near a downed power line if it's not sparking?
No. A downed line doesn't need to be arcing or moving to be live and deadly. Stay at least 30 feet away, keep others away, and report it to your utility company rather than approaching or trying to move it.