What to Do Before a Winter Storm Hits: 24-Hour Checklist

TL;DR: In the 24 hours before a winter storm, your priorities are water (drip faucets, know your main shutoff), heat (set thermostat no lower than 55°F, check your furnace filter), power (charge devices, fuel a generator if you have one), and supplies (3 days of water, food, and medication per person). Pipes that freeze and burst cause more home damage in winter storms than wind or snow load combined.

_Last reviewed: October 2026 · 7 min read_

A storm warning gives you a window, not a guarantee. If you wait until the snow starts to find your water shutoff valve or check your flashlight batteries, you're already behind. Here's what actually matters in the last 24 hours, in the order it matters.

Okoniq Property Hub keeps your home's shutoff locations, filter sizes, and maintenance dates in one place, so you're not hunting for answers when a storm warning gives you one afternoon to prep.

How do you keep pipes from freezing before a storm?

Drip your faucets and know where your main water shutoff is located. Pipes freeze and burst when water sits still in a line exposed to cold, usually along exterior walls, in unheated crawl spaces, or in garages. A slow, steady drip from both hot and cold taps keeps water moving and relieves pressure buildup if ice does form somewhere in the line.

Set your thermostat no lower than 55°F, even in rooms you don't use, and open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so warm air reaches the pipes. If you have a crawl space, check that vents are closed and any exposed pipes have foam insulation sleeves, which cost about $1 to $2 per 6-foot section at any hardware store.

Know where your main shutoff valve is before you need it in a crisis. Every new homeowner should locate this on day one, but if you haven't, find it now: it's typically near the water meter, in a basement, or in a utility closet. If a pipe does burst, shutting off water fast is the difference between a $200 repair and a $10,000 flooring replacement.

What should you check on your roof and gutters before the storm?

Clear your gutters and check your roof from the ground, because clogged gutters turn into ice dams that force water under your shingles. Ice dams form when melting snow refreezes at the roof edge, backing water up under the roofline and into your attic or walls. This is one of the most common and expensive winter storm claims insurers see each year.

If you haven't done your fall gutter cleaning, do a quick visual check now: look for sagging sections, debris clogs, or gutters pulling away from the fascia. These are the gutter jobs most people forget before winter, and skipping them turns a light snowfall into a water intrusion problem. You don't need a ladder in freezing, icy conditions. A visual roof check from the ground can catch loose shingles or flashing before wind gets under them.

Also check exterior masonry, chimney caps, and any mortar joints that have been deteriorating. Masonry left unaddressed before winter lets water into brick and block, where it freezes, expands, and cracks the structure further.

What should you do about power and heat before a storm?

Charge every device, fuel any generator, and check your furnace filter, because losing power in freezing temperatures is when pipe-freezing risk spikes fastest. Fully charge phones, laptops, and power banks. If you own a portable generator, confirm you have enough fuel for at least 48 hours and that it's stored and will be run outdoors, away from windows and doors, to avoid carbon monoxide buildup.

Check your furnace filter now rather than during the storm. A clogged filter restricts airflow and forces your system to work harder right when you need it most reliable. A 1-inch filter typically needs changing monthly in heavy-use season, while 4-inch filters can go 3 to 6 months, so check which you have and whether it's due.

If you lose power, a carbon monoxide detector matters more than ever, since generators, kerosene heaters, and even gas stoves used for extra heat all produce CO. Bedrooms and rooms near attached garages need detectors most, and battery backup models keep working even if the power is out.

| Prep Task | Minimum Time Needed | Cost | |---|---|---| | Drip faucets + check shutoff | 10 minutes | Free | | Clear gutters / visual roof check | 30-60 minutes | Free | | Charge devices + check generator fuel | 20 minutes | $0-$30 fuel | | Stock 3-day supplies | 1-2 hours | $50-$150 |

What supplies do you need stocked before the storm?

Stock at least 3 days of water (one gallon per person per day), non-perishable food, medications, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio. The American Red Cross recommends this as a baseline for any multi-day power outage, and winter storms frequently knock out power for 2 to 5 days in rural and suburban areas.

Add extra blankets, a manual can opener, flashlights with fresh batteries, and a backup phone charger. If you have pets, include their food and medications in the count too. Keep a small cash reserve on hand, since card readers and ATMs don't work without power.

FAQ

How cold does it need to be for pipes to freeze?

Pipes are at meaningful risk once outdoor temperatures drop below 20°F for several hours, especially in uninsulated or exterior-wall sections of plumbing, though poorly insulated pipes can freeze at temperatures closer to 32°F if wind chill is severe.

Should I leave cabinet doors open during a winter storm?

Yes, open cabinet doors under sinks located on exterior walls so warm household air can reach the pipes inside, which is a free and effective way to lower freeze risk during the coldest hours of a storm.

Is it safe to run a generator in the garage during a storm?

No, never run a generator in a garage, even with the door open, because carbon monoxide builds up fast in enclosed spaces and has killed people within 20 minutes of generator use indoors. Run it at least 20 feet from the house, pointed away from windows and vents.

What temperature should I set my thermostat to before a storm?

Set it no lower than 55°F, even in unused rooms, since temperatures below that put interior pipes at meaningful freeze risk, especially if the power goes out and the furnace stops entirely.

How long before a storm should I start prepping?

Start serious prep 24 to 48 hours before the forecasted storm arrival, since stores sell out of batteries, water, and generator fuel fast once a storm warning is issued, and road conditions worsen quickly once snow starts.

This is educational information, not safety or legal advice. Call a licensed contractor or your utility company if you're unsure about your home's specific plumbing, electrical, or heating setup before a storm.