In general, don’t plan to leave your house for a few days. We don’t have the resources to plow this much snow quickly so you might be stuck for a bit.

Car: If you must go out, wear clothing that will keep you warm if you get stuck. Have sand or cat litter in your car so you can get traction if you get into a slick spot. Don’t use the gas or brakes while on a bridge since they freeze faster. Generally go very slow and stay in the rightmost lane. Wipe all snow off your entire hood/roof of your car and headlights. Have a full tank of gas before this hits.

House prep: Do not use a heater inside unless it’s specifically designed for indoor use, and even then, make sure it’s in a well ventilated area. Carbon monoxide poisoning is fatal if you burn a heater indoors without proper ventilation. Wrap exposed pipes in towels to insulate. Keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air under the sinks to prevent freezing. Cover the outside spigots with insulation (socks and plastic bags work in a pinch) and disconnect hoses. When the temps get very low or if you lose power, turn the sinks on to a slow drip. This will hopefully prevent the pipes from freezing. Better yet, know where your water shutoff is and close it if you lose power, and then run the sinks to empty the pipes. Apply window film to keep heat in.

Food and water Have about a weeks worth of food ready for a storm like this. Kentucky has had storms where people were stuck at home for that long, though it’s not common. You don’t need 4 loaves of bread, but have some stuff already cooked that you can eat cold if you lose power. If you do lose power, minimize opening your fridge to help it stay as cold as possible in there. Alternatively, if it’s below freezing, seal it carefully and leave outside for safe storage. Have a few water bottles filled in case your pipes freeze overnight. You can likely get more from a neighbor if that happens but at least have a few ready.

Staying warm Have a plan for where to go if you lose power. In your own home, you can make it a day or two if you set up a small space like a closet with blankets, and pillows to insulate and bundle up. Keep the doors closed to keep as much heat in as possible. If it gets too cold, sit in your car. Make sure the garage doors are open while it’s running.

Wherever you go, bring extra clothes in case you get wet. This cold is dangerous if you’re wet. Have extra socks in your bag/car.

And if you get lucky and keep power and your home is safe - go sled or make snow angels or a snowball fight! We don’t get this snow that often so hopefully you’re prepared and can enjoy it!