USAA Winter Storm Guide: Prepare, stay safe and recover from winter storms

Winter weather is difficult to predict, however, when the storm hits, you want your home and your family to be ready. This guide will help you make plans to prepare for, stay safe during and recover from winter storms.

Prepare for winter storms.

Prepare your home.

Take care of your roof.

• Keep your gutters clear. This keeps ice from accumulating and backing up under the shingles.
• Trim trees year-round so branches don't fall on your house.
• Worn-out, missing or damaged siding and roof flashing can let water and ice into your home. Be vigilant and replace them.
• If your chimney is leaning or the mortar has seen better days, get it repaired.

Prevent ice dams.

• Eliminate heat sources under the roof, such as lights and heaters in the attic, that can contribute to thawing.
• Keep the attic cool and ventilated to stop or slow the refreezing cycle.
• Consult a roofing professional to remove snow or standing water before an ice dam can form.
• Invest in a roof rake, a tool that allows you to stand on the ground and safely brush snow off the roof.
• Avoid trying to chip any ice dams off your roof, as you could damage the roof. Ask a roof specialist for help instead.
• Talk with your roof specialist about sealing the roof deck with a moisture barrier.

Prevent water damage.

• Ventilate the attic and insulate the attic floor to stop warm air in the house from melting snow and ice on the roof.
• Wrap exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or two inches of UL listed heat tape.
• Caulk cracks and holes in the home's outer walls and foundation. Holes left by cable installation can also leave pipes exposed.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to let warm air circulate around pipes.
• Trickle water from faucets connected to pipes that run through unheated or unprotected spaces.
• Locate the home's main water valve — typically in the basement or outside near the curb — so you can turn water off quickly if a pipe does burst.
• If you leave the house unoccupied for an extended period, shut off the water and have a professional drain the system. Turn the heat down, but don't turn it off.
• Consider installing smart home devices that can give you early warning and help you detect water leaks. You may be able to save on your USAA Homeowners Insurance premium by enrolling eligible devices in the USAA Connected Home program.‍ ‍ ^{See note 1}

Clear surfaces where you walk or drive.

• Keep walkways, steps and driveways clear of snow and ice.
• Treat these areas with rock salt or deicing products.

Be ready to react.

Keep your vehicle's gas tank full so you can leave in an emergency. It will also keep the fuel line from freezing.

Ensure you have emergency supplies of food, water and warm clothing in case you're stuck in traffic or have an accident and have to wait several hours for assistance. Stay on main roads, and don't crowd the snowplows.

• Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power. Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights. Keep in mind the specific needs of each person and pet, including medication. If you have alternative heating sources, be sure they're clean, in working order and have ample fuel in case of a power outage.
• Have the radiator system serviced or check the antifreeze level yourself with an antifreeze tester. Add antifreeze as needed.
• Bring pets inside when temperatures dip. Don't forget to wipe your pet's paws. Ice-melting chemicals can make your pet sick. If you can't bring the pets inside, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm. Make sure they have access to unfrozen water.

Stay safe during a storm.

Protect your personal safety.

Know what to do outside.

Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Take breaks as needed.

If you have to drive, first make sure your vehicle, including the tailpipe, is clear of ice and snow. Flying snow from vehicles can cause accidents. Allow additional time for the vehicle to defrost.

If your vehicle gets stuck during a storm, stay in the vehicle. If you leave your vehicle, you may become disoriented quickly in wind-driven snow and cold. Run the motor for about 10 minutes every hour for heat, and open the window a little for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Be visible to rescuers. Turn on the dome light at night when running the engine. Tie a bright-colored cloth, preferably red, to your antenna, if you have one, or to the door.

Drink water to stay hydrated. Sweat evaporates more rapidly in cold, dry air, which may result in dehydration.

Watch for signs of frostbite‍ ‍ ^{See note 2} (Opens in a new window) and hypothermia.‍ ‍ ^{See note 2} (Opens in a new window) Begin treatment right away and get proper medical attention as soon as possible.

Frostbite causes loss of feeling and color around the face, fingers and toes. Signs include numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, and firm or waxy skin.

Actions: Go to a warm room. Soak in warm water. Use body heat to warm. Don't massage or use a heating pad.

Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature. A temperature below 95 degrees is an emergency. Signs include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness.

Actions: Go to a warm room. Warm the center of the body first — chest, neck, head and groin. Keep dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head and neck.

Drive safely.

If you have to drive, allow additional time to defrost your vehicle. Make sure your vehicle, including the tailpipe, is clear of ice and snow. Brush all the snow off the vehicle, so it doesn't fall onto your windshield while you're driving or fly onto other vehicles, causing an accident. Drive slowly and look out for obstacles.

• Be aware of black ice. It's patchy ice on roadways that can't easily be seen. Even if roadways have been cleared of snow following a storm, any water left on the roadways may freeze, resulting in a clear sheet of ice. It's most dangerous in the early morning due to below-freezing nighttime temperatures.
• Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by following the manufacturer's instructions. Use generators, stoves and grills outside, away from windows and doors.

Know what to do inside.

It's not safe to turn on the stove for heat. Use extra blankets, sleeping bags or winter coats to keep warm if the power goes out.

• Keep heat sources like space heaters at least 3 feet away from drapes, furniture and bedding. Never cover your space heater.
• Close rooms you aren't using to avoid wasting heat.

Recover from the storm.

Know your rights and protect your finances.

Contact your insurance company before signing an Assignment of Benefits with a third party. This includes auto windshield repair shops, water extraction or mitigation companies and other contractors. Signing over your insurance benefits to a contractor or other vendor may seem convenient at the moment, but you may lose your rights under the policy to that third party and lose control of your claim.

Inspect your property and assess the damage.

Property damage may not be obvious at first. Be sure to check for any signs of water leaks, especially in the ceilings. Avoid making permanent repairs until your claims adjuster has assessed damage. Take photos of any damage before you remove debris or make temporary repairs. If property damage is found, file a property claim.

If your vehicle is damaged by a natural disaster, file a claim.

Take photos of any damage before you remove debris or make temporary repairs. If you need to make temporary repairs to make it safe to drive, save the receipts for reimbursement consideration. If there's only damage to your auto glass, file an auto glass claim. If there's damage to more than just your auto glass, file an auto claim.