what to stock up on for ice storm

February 18, 2026

For an ice storm, plan as if you might be stuck at home without power, heat, or safe roads for at least 3–7 days, and build your supplies around food, water, warmth, light, and safety.

Core priorities (3–7 days)

Water: Aim for at least 1 gallon per person per day for drinking and basic hygiene; store extra in jugs or clean containers, and consider filling a bathtub for flushing if you’re on a well.

Non-perishable food that does not need cooking or refrigeration:
- Canned meats (tuna, chicken, salmon, SPAM), beans, soups, stews.

* Peanut butter, nuts, trail mix, jerky, protein/granola bars, dried fruit, crackers, shelf-stable milk or milk alternatives.

* Instant oatmeal, cereal, ready-to-eat canned pasta or chili, shelf-stable juices.

Prescriptions and health: at least a 7‑day supply of medications, plus basic pain relievers, any critical medical devices with spare batteries or a backup way to power them.

Heat, light, and staying warm

Layers of clothing: thermal base layers, wool socks, hats, gloves, scarves, and waterproof outerwear to keep dry if you must go outside.

Blankets and sleeping bags rated for cold weather; many winter preparedness checklists specifically recommend having enough to keep everyone warm even if the heat fails.

Safe heat sources: if you have a fireplace or wood stove, stock dry wood, matches, and kindling; if you use space heaters, ensure they are indoor-safe and you have a working carbon monoxide detector.

Light: multiple flashlights or headlamps with extra batteries, battery-powered lanterns, and a battery-operated or hand-crank radio to get weather updates.

Home, car, and safety gear

For the home:
- Manual can opener, basic tool kit, duct tape, plastic sheeting (in case a window breaks), and some ice melt or sand for walkways.

* First-aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, gloves, and any special items your household needs.

For the car (in case you must drive or get stuck):
- Small shovel, ice scraper, snow brush, jumper cables, traction aids (sand, cat litter, or snow chains), blanket, snacks, water, and a flashlight.

Electronics: fully charge phones, power banks, and any battery packs before the storm; keep a car charger as backup.

Comfort, morale, and “extras”

Even short outages feel easier if you plan for morale, not just survival.

Hot drinks and comfort foods: hot chocolate mix, instant coffee or tea, instant soups or noodles that just need hot water.

Easy treats that store well at room temperature, like cookies or donuts, are commonly recommended in recent community discussions about ice storm prep.

Entertainment: books, cards, board games, downloaded movies/shows, and kids’ activities to keep everyone calm and occupied if the power or internet goes out.

Simple HTML table checklist

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Category</th>
      <th>What to stock up on</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Water</td>
      <td>1 gallon per person per day for at least 3 days; extra in jugs or tub if on a well.[web:1][web:3]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Food (no-cook)</td>
      <td>Canned meats, beans, soups, stews, peanut butter, nuts, protein bars, dried fruit, crackers, cereal, shelf-stable milk and juice.[web:1][web:3][web:5][web:7]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Medicine</td>
      <td>7-day supply of prescriptions, basic pain relievers, any essential medical supplies.[web:3][web:9]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Warmth</td>
      <td>Thermal clothing, wool socks, hats, gloves, blankets, sleeping bags, safe heat source and CO detector.[web:4][web:9]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Light & power</td>
      <td>Flashlights, headlamps, lanterns, extra batteries, charged power banks, car charger, battery/hand-crank radio.[web:1][web:7][web:9]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Safety & gear</td>
      <td>First-aid kit, manual can opener, basic tools, ice melt or sand, car kit with scraper, shovel, blanket, snacks.[web:1][web:4][web:7][web:9]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Comfort</td>
      <td>Hot drink mixes, instant soups, shelf-stable snacks and treats, books, games, kids’ activities.[web:1][web:4][web:5]</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

TL;DR: Focus on water, no-cook nonperishable food, prescriptions, ways to stay warm without power, safe light sources, and a few comfort items so an ice storm is an inconvenience, not a crisis.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.