Mitch R. is a policy analyst from Allen, Texas.
On February 14, 2021, he moved into a Texas apartment.
The very next day, Winter Storm Uri hit and knocked out power across the state.
A huge share of Texas households lost power for days.
The state’s power grid nearly collapsed completely.
Temperatures dropped below freezing and stayed there for a week.
Mitch woke up Monday morning to a dark, freezing house with no electricity and no idea when it would come back on.
He and his roommate had to make a quick decision.
They grabbed some simple, inexpensive items they’d bought the day before and headed to their car, the single source of heat they had.
For four and a half hours that first night, they wrapped themselves in blankets and
sat in their vehicle eating chips and granola bars.
They used their flashlight to scan their surroundings in the darkness.
Most importantly, the simple, inexpensive items kept them alive until power returned days later.
This shows that having basic, inexpensive survival items on hand can be the deciding factor in an emergency.
During Winter Storm Uri, at least 246 people died in Texas.
Many froze to death in their own homes because they weren’t prepared.
The lesson is clear.
When winter storms hit, having the right gear ready provides critical advantages that expensive equipment can’t match.
These items work together to keep you safe, warm, and alive.
Immediate availability:
The biggest advantage of inexpensive items is that you can stock up on them right away without waiting to gather the funds.
You can walk into any store and walk out with basically everything you need for under a hundred bucks.
This means you can be fully prepared by tonight.
Multiple backups:
Because these items are inexpensive, you can afford to keep multiple versions in different locations.
Easy to replace:
If you use up your hand warmers or drain your flashlight batteries during an emergency, replacing them is not expensive.
This means you can use your gear without worry during actual emergencies.
No learning curve:
Expensive tactical gear often requires training, practice, and maintenance to use correctly.
During a crisis when you’re stressed and scared, simple gear that works without having to think is what keeps you alive.
Drawbacks to inexpensive winter survival items:
Shorter lifespan:
Lower‑priced flashlights and radios do not match the longevity of premium models that can run into the hundreds.
They might break after heavy use or fail in extreme conditions.
You can mitigate this by keeping multiple backups of each item so you can replace worn-out gear without scrambling.
Storage space:
To have enough backups and redundancy, you need room to store everything.
Consider stackable bins, wall-mounted racks, and vacuum-sealed bags to maximize your storage.
Your top priorities for winter storm preparedness:
Priority 1: Light sources:
Keep at least three flashlights and several packages of batteries available.
Keep one flashlight in your bedroom, one in your kitchen, and one in your car.
Stock AA, AAA, C, and D batteries since different devices use different sizes.
A hand-crank radio with a built-in flashlight gives you two tools in one device.
Priority 2: Heat sources:
Stock at least 20 hand warmers per person in your household.
Have several wool or fleece blankets that will work even when wet.
Keep thermal emergency blankets in your car and bug-out bag.
Store waterproof matches and lighters in multiple locations for starting fires safely.
Priority 3: No-cook food:
Keep a two-week supply of food that doesn’t need cooking or refrigeration.
Granola bars, nuts, dried fruit, beef jerky, and peanut butter crackers work perfectly.
Premium canned beef, just don’t forget a manual can opener.
Store one gallon of water per person each day for at least three days.
Start with these inexpensive items.
Add a few each month until you have everything.
Store them where you can grab them quickly if needed.
When the next winter storm or disaster hits, you’ll be ready.
