Winter Storm Ready: How Homeowners Can Prepare for Power Outages

Winter storms can bring more than just snow and ice—they often come with power outages that last hours or even days. Taking a few steps now can help protect your home, your family, and your peace of mind when the lights go out.

Here’s how homeowners can prepare before the next winter storm hits.

1. Prepare Your Home Before the Storm

A little prevention goes a long way.

Seal drafts around windows and doors to keep heat in
Insulate exposed pipes to prevent freezing and burst pipes
Trim tree branches near your home that could fall under heavy snow or ice
Check your sump pump (and backup battery, if you have one)

These simple steps can reduce damage and help your home weather the storm safely.

2. Plan for a Power Outage

If the power goes out, being prepared makes all the difference.

Keep flashlights and extra batteries easily accessible
Have a battery-powered or hand-crank radio for weather updates
Stock up on portable phone chargers or power banks
If you use a generator, make sure it’s in good working order and used safely—never indoors or in a garage

💡 Tip: Avoid using candles when possible to reduce fire risk.

3. Protect Your Plumbing

Frozen pipes are one of the most common (and costly) winter claims.

Let faucets drip slightly during extreme cold
Open cabinet doors to allow warm air to reach pipes
Know how to shut off your home’s main water supply just in case

If you leave town during a storm, never turn your heat completely off.

If your pipes do burst, here’s what you need to do.

4. Build a Winter Emergency Kit

Every household should have a basic emergency kit that includes:

Non-perishable food and bottled water
Extra blankets and warm clothing
Prescription medications and personal necessities
First-aid supplies

Keeping these items ready helps your family stay safe and comfortable if outages last longer than expected. Check out this article that explains exactly how to build a home emergency kit.

5. Review Your Homeowners Insurance Coverage

Winter storms can lead to claims from burst pipes, fallen trees, roof damage, and power-related losses. Knowing what your policy covers before a storm hits is key.

At Holley Insurance, we’re happy to review your homeowners policy, answer questions, and make sure you’re properly protected—so there are no surprises if you ever need to file a claim.

6. What to Do If You Think You Have a Claim

Once the storm has passed, it’s important to act quickly – but calmly – if you notice damage to your home.

Make sure everyone is safe first. Address any immediate hazards like downed power lines or severe structural damage.
Prevent further damage if possible. This may include placing a tarp on a damaged roof or shutting off water if a pipe has burst.
Document everything. Take photos or videos of visible damage and keep receipts for any emergency repairs.

📞 Call your insurance agent first, if possible.
Your agent can help you understand whether the damage is covered, guide you through the next steps, and assist with filing the claim correctly. Having an advocate who knows your policy can make the process smoother and less stressful.

At Holley Insurance, we’re here to walk you through the claims process and help you get back on track as quickly as possible. If you’re ever unsure whether something should be reported, give us a call—we’re happy to help.

Request Your Proposal Here

Are you ready to save time, aggravation, and money? The team at Holley Insurance is here and ready to make the process as painless as possible. We look forward to meeting you!

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