First off, I can't tell you how nice it is to write "ice" in a headline and have it not be about the loony left trying to kill a federal law enforcement officer on the frigid streets of Minneapolis. It's been a crazy few weeks/months/years – I've lost count – hasn't it?
Secondly, there's a massive snow storm headed my way! And probably yours, too, as the storm looks to be a massive beast that I read could affect up to 200 million Americans. That's a big'un. In making my preparations for the pending assault, I went about doing the normal things – making sure the snow shovel is where it's supposed to be, topping up our food supplies, and gassing up the car.
As a resident of northern Virginia, I've been down this road many times before; we get hit with big winter storms on a fairly regular basis (although, I might add, here in Loudoun County we sometimes fall victim to the dreaded "snow hole" – legend has it the numerous data centers in the area blow the snow away). We are not great at dealing with snow storms here, but we excel at panicking and shopping for them.
Then the word "ice" started appearing in the forecasts and all hell broke loose (in my nervous system, anyway). It's now snow and ice that's on its way, and that changes everything. Instead of cozy movie marathons by the fire, we're staring down pandemonium and possible power outages. It's now full on survival mode for us (which it is anyways, because this is Virginia and the Dems are now in charge).
As luck would have it, my husband picked this very weekend to visit his parents in sunny Florida, meaning I am left to protect the homestead (and, apparently, the two young adults currently residing in it). And this is what has made me realize how woefully underprepared I am for all eventualities, including cold days in the dark and food that will quickly spoil.
Why did I never become a prepper?
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I did try ... kind of. I've stocked up on canned goods, rice, and beans in an attempt to build out a prepper pantry. I've got matches that can light in the rain and straws that can filter out impurities and bacteria in case we have to start drinking out of streams. I even tried to make my own blackberry jam once – my big stainless steel pot has never quite recovered.
What I don't have, however, is a solar-powered generator that keeps the lights on or a whiz-bangy satellite radio for contact with the outside world. And I want them really bad right about now.
A YouTuber I watch, who lives in the woods of North Carolina, went out and got the last Starlink unit available in his area. He, of course, has ginormous power banks to keep the Starlink cranking, so he and his family are set. They probably have a freezer full of deer meat, too, which we definitely do not have here in Loudoun.
The preppers were right, you all. Their spiel of "hey, if there's never a nuclear winter, as least I'll be ready for actual winter" was spot on. They are the heroes. They are validated.
If, like me, you're a mediocre prepper, there is some great practical advice being given out by those who've gone through – and survived! – challenging weather situations. Stock up now.
5 years ago, I was living in Fort Worth when the entire state was paralyzed by the apocalyptic winter storm that left hundreds dead. My wife and I had to live in a hotel for weeks. Here are 6 lessons I learned that people should keep in mind ahead of this weekend's storm 🧵 https://t.co/mniByLJ7QV pic.twitter.com/ZcjQLQwyBL
— Peter J. Hasson (@peterjhasson) January 23, 2026
A tip of the hat to all of you preppers out there. Spare a thought for the rest of us as we huddle around a candle eating saltines and darning our socks.
Some late-breaking good news for my area: we don't get Jim Cantore.
We didn't get Cantore, so we should be fine. pic.twitter.com/x5bQHv2gTs
— Teri Christoph (@TeriChristoph) January 23, 2026
