How to Prepare Your Home and Family for a Winter Storm in the Carolinas

Winter weather in the Carolinas can be unpredictable. While we may not see snow often, when winter storms do arrive they can bring freezing temperatures, icy roads, and power outages that catch many homeowners off guard.

A little preparation can go a long way in keeping your home, family, and property safe. Here’s a simple guide to help you prepare before the storm hits.

Preparing Your Home Before the Storm

Cold temperatures can put stress on your home, especially plumbing and heating systems. Before the storm arrives, consider taking these steps:

• Set your thermostat a few degrees higher than normal to help maintain heat if power fluctuates

• Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around pipes

• Drip faucets slightly if temperatures are expected to drop below freezing

• Stock up on essentials like water, shelf stable food, medications, batteries, flashlights, and portable phone chargers

• If you use a fireplace or generator, double check safety measures and proper ventilation

• Make sure you know how to manually open your garage door in case of a power outage

These small actions can help prevent frozen pipes and minimize damage if utilities are interrupted.

What to Do If the Power Goes Out

Power outages are one of the most common issues during winter storms in our area. If your home loses power:

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to preserve food

• Use flashlights instead of candles to reduce fire risk

• Unplug sensitive electronics to protect them from power surges when electricity is restored

• Use space heaters cautiously, keep them away from flammable items, and never leave them unattended

If outages last longer than expected, check on neighbors, especially elderly residents or those with medical needs.

Car and Travel Safety Tips

Road conditions can change quickly during winter storms, even here in the Carolinas. If travel is unavoidable:

• Avoid unnecessary driving when roads are icy

• Keep your gas tank at least half full

• Store an emergency kit in your car with a blanket, flashlight, phone charger, water, and snacks

• Let someone know your route and estimated arrival time

When possible, staying off the roads is the safest choice.

Local Emergency Resources to Save Now

Having important contacts ready before an emergency can save time and reduce stress:

• Emergency Services: Call 911 for life threatening situations

• Power Outages: Report outages directly through your electric provider (such as Duke Energy, York Electric, Union Power, or your local utility)

• Road Conditions: Check NCDOT or SCDOT for real-time updates on road closures and travel advisories

• Weather Alerts: Enable emergency alerts on your phone and follow trusted local news sources

• Warming Centers: County and city offices will share locations if extended outages occur

A Final Word

Winter storms may be brief, but being prepared can make a big difference. Protecting your home now can help prevent costly repairs later and give you peace of mind during uncertain weather.

 Hopefully we stay with power and stay safe but in case we lose power for extended periods here’s a tip to help someone else that has a gas fireplace.

To access the battery pack at the bottom of your fireplace remove the decorative screen panel and check with the type of batteries, mine were 1.5 volt.

Upon power failure the battery pack should kick in to light up the fireplace for you. Might be worth to check the battery pack and do a test run prior to the weekend. Let me know if this helped you.

If you have questions about protecting your home, preparing a property you own, or understanding how winter weather can impact real estate in the Charlotte or Indian Land areas, I’m always happy to be a resource.

Stay warm, stay safe, and don’t hesitate to reach out.

Adela Hollar
Realtor® | Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Paracle
Serving Charlotte, Indian Land, and surrounding communities