If you’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest for more than a year or two, you already know: winter here isn’t always dramatic, but when it decides to show up, it can be serious. An atmospheric river dumps rain for days. A cold snap turns wet roads into ice sheets. A wind event off the coast knocks out power for a quarter of the region.
The good news is that PNW storms are rarely sudden surprises — forecasters usually have a few days’ notice before a significant event. That window is your opportunity. Here’s how to use it.
Power: your most likely disruption
Extended power outages are the most common consequence of a serious PNW storm. High winds and wet, heavy snow bring down trees and power lines across a region full of forested neighborhoods. Outages that last a few hours are routine. Outages that last several days are not rare.
Getting ready for a power outage doesn’t require a whole-house generator. It requires thinking through what you actually need and making sure you have it:
Light. Multiple working flashlights with fresh batteries, plus at least one battery-powered or hand-crank lantern for area lighting. Battery-powered candles are a safer option if you have young children or pets. Know where all of these are before the power goes out.
Heat. If your heat is electric — as many homes in the PNW are — losing power means losing heat. Have a plan: extra blankets and layers, a designated warm room where the household can gather, or an alternative heat source if appropriate for your home. If you use a generator or propane heater indoors, understand the carbon monoxide risks and never operate fuel-burning equipment inside a living space without proper ventilation.
Food. A well-stocked pantry carries you through most outages without a trip to a crowded store. Keep non-perishables on hand. Have a way to cook that doesn’t depend on electricity — a camp stove, a gas range, a barbecue grill kept outdoors. Know the general rule: a full refrigerator stays safe for about four hours without power; a full, unopened freezer holds temperature for roughly 48 hours.
Water. Most PNW water systems will maintain pressure during an outage, but not always — especially in areas served by well pumps. It’s worth having a few days of stored water just in case. The standard recommendation is one gallon per person per day.
Before the storm arrives
When a storm warning goes out, there are a handful of things worth doing that make the aftermath easier: