Quick answer
To prepare for a winter storm, trim dead or overhanging branches, clear leaves and gutters, and cover or tie down patio furniture a few days ahead. Charge every battery you own, from phones to power banks to tool batteries, and stock water, food that needs no cooking, flashlights and a first aid kit. During an outage, never run a generator, grill or camp stove indoors. After the storm, stay far away from downed power lines, photograph damage, then clear small debris before cutting up fallen limbs. Our storm-ready tools start at $18.99.
A winter storm doesn't have to be a blizzard to cause trouble. A few inches of wet snow or a coating of ice is enough to snap branches, bring down power lines and leave you without heat or lights for a day or more. Once the storm is on the radar, the hardware store is packed and the batteries are gone.
The good news is that most of the work happens before the first flake falls. Here's a simple before, during and after checklist for your home and yard, plus the KingFurt tools that make each step easier.
Winter storm checklist at a glance
| Before the storm | During the storm | After the storm |
|---|---|---|
| Trim weak and overhanging branches | Stay inside and follow local alerts | Wait until roads and power lines are safe |
| Clear leaves, gutters and drains | Keep phones and batteries charged as long as possible | Photograph damage for insurance |
| Cover or tie down patio furniture | Never use a generator, grill or stove indoors | Clear small debris first, then cut fallen limbs |
| Charge every battery and stock supplies | Keep the fridge and freezer closed | Shovel early and in light passes |
01How do you prepare your yard before a winter storm?
Start a few days out, while the weather is still calm.
Trim dead and overhanging branches
Ice and heavy snow add serious weight to tree limbs. Dead branches and limbs hanging over your roof, driveway, car or power lines are the ones most likely to come down. A cordless pole saw handles high branches from the ground, and a mini chainsaw is quick for smaller limbs you can reach safely.
Clear leaves, gutters and drains
Leaves left in gutters and storm drains trap water, which then freezes into ice dams and slick patches. Clean out gutters you can reach safely, blow leaves off decks and walkways, and clear the drain grates near your driveway.
Secure everything that can blow away
Bring in cushions, planters, decorations and light furniture. Whatever stays outside should be covered and strapped down so the wind can't get underneath. Store garden hoses and shut off outdoor faucets before they freeze.
Save $69.00
Reaches high branches from the ground with a 6.5 ft max extension, then converts to a handheld saw. Two batteries included.
Save $14.00
One-handed pruning for small limbs before the storm and fallen branches after it. Two batteries, two chains.
Save $55.05
Clears leaves from decks, walkways and drains before a storm, and twigs and light snow after it.
Save $3.00
Buckle straps and drawstrings keep covers on in high wind. Fits a loveseat, two armchairs and a table.
02What should you charge and stock before the power goes out?
Power outages are the biggest headache of most winter storms. A day or two before the storm arrives:
- Charge everything. Phones, power banks, laptops, flashlights, and the batteries for your cordless tools. Fully charged tool batteries mean you can clear snow and cut branches even if the power stays out.
- Test your flashlights. Your phone's flashlight drains the battery you need for calls and alerts. Keep real flashlights or lanterns where everyone can find them in the dark.
- Fill the gas can if you own a gas chainsaw or generator. Gas stations can close when the power is out.
- Know your plan. Make sure everyone in the house knows where the emergency supplies are and how to reach each other.
Winter storm emergency kit
FEMA recommends at least one gallon of water per person per day, for several days. Add:
- Food that needs no cooking, plus a manual can opener
- Flashlights, extra batteries and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- First aid kit and a week's supply of any medications
- Warm blankets, hats and gloves for everyone
- Ice melt or sand for steps and walkways
- Copies of important documents in a waterproof bag
Don't forget the car
Keep a winter kit in the trunk too: a blanket, water, snacks, a phone charger and a snow brush and ice scraper. Getting stuck with a frozen windshield is a bad way to start the day.
Save $6.00
Reaches across trucks and SUVs, with a pivoting brush head and a built-in snow shovel head.
Save $4.00
A 360° pivoting brush and ice scraper that breaks down to fit in the trunk.
03How do you clear snow safely?
Shoveling is hard work, especially when the snow is wet and heavy. A few habits make it safer:
- Clear early and often. Several light passes during a long storm are much easier than one deep, packed layer at the end.
- Push, don't lift. When you must lift, bend your knees and keep loads small. Don't twist to throw snow over your shoulder.
- Take breaks and stay warm. Stop if you feel tired, short of breath or have chest pain. Cold, wet hands make every job harder and less safe.
- Start with the path that matters. Clear the front steps, the walkway to the driveway and the area around vents and the furnace exhaust first.
A cordless snow shovel takes the lifting out of steps, walkways and patios, and rechargeable heated gloves keep your fingers working long after regular gloves soak through.
Save $100.00
Clears steps, walkways and patios without a pull cord or gas. Battery and charger included.
Save $30.00
Three heat levels and a weather-resistant shell for shoveling, cleanup and outage nights.
Save $10.00
Waterproof heated gloves with two battery cases (batteries not included). A budget pick under $40.
See everything for winter in our snow removal tools collection.
04How do you stay warm and safe during a power outage?
Once the storm hits, stay inside and keep an eye on local alerts. If the power goes out:
- Never run a generator indoors, including in a garage, basement or crawl space. The CDC advises keeping generators at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents because of carbon monoxide.
- Never heat your home with a gas oven, grill or camp stove. These also produce carbon monoxide. Make sure your CO detectors have working batteries.
- Pick one warm room. Close doors to rooms you aren't using, hang blankets over windows and dress in layers.
- Keep the fridge and freezer closed. According to the USDA, a closed refrigerator keeps food safe for about 4 hours, and a full freezer for about 48 hours.
- Save your batteries. Turn phone brightness down and use power banks for what matters most: calls, alerts and light.
05How do you clean up after a winter storm?
Wait until the storm has fully passed and it's safe to go outside. Check the forecast, because a second round of ice or wind can bring down limbs that are already damaged. Put on gloves, boots with good traction and eye protection, and don't work alone.
- Document the damage. Take photos and videos of your home, roof, fences and vehicles before you move anything. Your insurance company will ask for them.
- Clear the small stuff. Sweep or blow away twigs, leaves and light snow from walkways, decks and driveways with a cordless leaf blower.
- Cut up fallen limbs. Use a mini chainsaw for smaller branches and a gas chainsaw for thick limbs. Cut branches under tension carefully, because they can spring back. Leave anything on the house, on a power line or too big to handle to the professionals.
- Haul and sort debris. Stack wood for firewood and bag or bundle the rest according to your town's storm pickup rules.
- Finish the repairs. Fix fence boards and gutters, and once temperatures are above freezing, wash off the mud and grime the storm left behind. Our fall pressure-washing checklist covers the right nozzle for each surface.
Save $80.00
For thick fallen limbs and firewood when batteries are low and the power is still out.
Save $100.00
Our biggest saw for large downed trees, with a low-kickback chain and automatic chain brake.
Save $14.00
One-handed pruning for small limbs before the storm and fallen branches after it. Two batteries, two chains.
Compare every saw in our chainsaws and pole saws collection.
06Which tool do you need for each storm job?
| Job | Best tool | Why |
|---|---|---|
| High branches over the roof or driveway | 21V 2-in-1 pole saw | Cuts overhead limbs from the ground |
| Small limbs and pruning | 8" mini chainsaw | Light, one-handed, battery powered |
| Large fallen limbs and trees | 58cc or 62cc gas chainsaw | Longer bars and no battery to run out |
| Leaves, twigs and light snow | 21V 6-speed leaf blower | Six speeds for dry leaves or heavier debris |
| Steps, walkways and patios | 21V cordless snow shovel | No lifting, no gas, no cord |
| Cars, trucks and SUVs | 35" snow brush & ice scraper | Extends to reach across the roof |
| Cold hands on long jobs | Rechargeable heated gloves | Three heat levels |
Preparation is protection
An hour of prep this week can save days of stress later. Charge up, stock up and get your yard storm-ready.
