How to Be Prepared for a Winter Storm - Cincinnati

Cincinnati has its own special winter storm personality 😅 Here’s how to prep specifically for southwest Ohio storms, which are often a mix of ice, snow, wind, and power outages.

🌨️ What makes Cincinnati storms tricky

• Ice storms are common (worse than snow)
  
  
• Hilly terrain → dangerous driving fast
  
  
• Older trees & power lines → outages happen easily
  
  
• Ohio River & creeks → flooding risk after snowmelt
  
  

🏠 Home prep (Cincy-specific)

• Ice > snow: prioritize ice melt (pet-safe if needed)
  
  
• Power outages: have at least 24–72 hours of heat backup (extra blankets, warm layers)
  
  
• Basements: check sump pumps; keep floor drains clear
  
  
• Pipes: exterior walls are vulnerable in older homes—open cabinet doors & drip faucets
  
  
• Trees: if safe, remove weak branches near lines/windows before the storm
  
  

🚗 Driving & hills

• Avoid hills during ice — even short ones
  
  
• Keep traction aids (kitty litter or sand) in your trunk
  
  
• Park away from trees & power lines if possible
  
  
• If you must drive:
  
  
  • Go slow
    
    
  • Brake early
    
    
  • Don’t trust “main roads” to be safe — black ice is common
    
    

🔌 Power outage readiness (very important here)

• Fully charge phones & battery packs
  
  
• Keep a battery or hand-crank radio
  
  
• Never use:
  
  
  • Gas stoves
    
    
  • Grills
    
    
  • Generators indoors or near windows
    (CO poisoning spikes during Ohio winter storms)
    
    

🌡️ Clothing & personal safety

• Waterproof boots > insulated boots (slush + ice combo)
  
  
• Layer smart:
  
  
  • Thermal base
    
    
  • Insulation (fleece/down)
    
    
  • Windproof shell
    
    
• Take shoveling slow — ice + cold = high injury risk
  
  

🐾 Pets

• Salt & ice melt can burn paws — wipe them after walks
  
  
• Keep outdoor trips short during ice storms
  
  
• Extra food just in case roads shut down
  
  

📢 Local tips

• Pay attention to Hamilton County & City of Cincinnati alerts
  
  
• If they say “stay off roads,” they mean it — ice here gets bad fast
  
  
• Check on neighbors, especially in older homes or hillside areas

**Your Trusted Partner in Real Estate**

As a dedicated member of The Cornerstone Home Group, brokered by eXp Realty and powered by PLACE, I am committed to providing every client with a seamless, 5-star experience. Whether you’re buying or selling in Cincinnati or Dayton, I’m here to guide you through every step of the process with confidence and care.

Feel free to reach out to me, Beth Brown Ciul, at +1 (513) 850-4797 or via email at bethc@cornerstonehomesoh.com. Let’s make your real estate goals a reality in 2026!

For more information and listings, visit my website: [https://bethc.cornerstonehomesoh.com]