Storm Season Preparedness:
Packing the Ultimate Storm Bag
Written by: Ken Lulow
When a storm approaches, line workers and electric utility professionals are among the first responders, rushing out into dangerous environmental conditions to restore power and ensure the safety to their communities. Preparation is vital, and having a well-packed storm bag can be the difference between staying effective in the field or enduring unnecessary hardships. A thoughtfully packed storm bag provides essential gear, comfort, and peace of mind to meet the challenges of long hours and harsh conditions with as little inconvenience as possible.
Here’s a guide to assembling a comprehensive storm bag for line workers and utility professionals that covers everything you might need during extended hours away from the usual comforts.
1. Clothing for All Weather Conditions
In the field, unpredictable weather can create a need for various types of protective clothing. High-quality, weather-resistant gear is essential to stay dry, warm, and safe.
Weatherproof Outerwear: An Arc-rated, breathable, waterproof jacket with rain pants, and a windbreak outer layer will keep you dry and warm.
(My personal go-to gear for wind conditions are the “Elements Flak-jacket and the Exxtreme (super fleece) jacket” both made by DragonWear. ) Shop DragonWear | Flame Resistant Jackets, Coats and Hoodies
Insulating Layers: Pack lightweight but warm layers made with natural fibers for colder conditions. Choose moisture-wicking materials for better temperature control.
(My favorite under layering garments are the DragonWear Pro-Dry long sleeve and Livewire FR bottoms. )
Additional Change of Normal Wear: Pack additional pants and shirts for those extended storm recovery efforts.
Extra Socks & Underwear: Wet feet will ruin the day, causing discomfort and irritation. It becomes easy to fixate on the misery wet cold feet bring, distracting from the dangers that lurk around. Pack multiple pairs of socks, you can never have enough fresh clean socks, and don’t forget extra underwear. (Tip – throw in some large plastic bags or plastic grocery bags. Our feet can get sweaty, soaking our socks with sweat and our boots. We often blame our boots for leaking when it was our sweaty feet. To mitigate this, after putting on a new pair of socks, cover them with a plastic bag before inserting them into our boots. This will keep our boots dry when we change socks. However, this can only be done for a shift at a time to prevent injury to our feet.)
Gloves: Include a pair of insulated cold weather gloves, as well as waterproof work gloves and a lighter pair for layering when the need arises.
Hat & Balaclava: A hat or beanie provides warmth, while a balaclava can protect your face from harsh winds, cold rain, snow, and ice. DragonWear makes some excellent head, neck, and face gear.
2. Essentials for Safety and Comfort in the Field
Long hours mean you’ll need supplies to keep up energy, health, and morale.
Portable Charger/Power Bank: A durable, fully charged power bank for your phone or essential electronics is critical in remote areas. Include a power cord to charge your mobile device, it’s a good idea to pack both a 120v power cord and a 12v power cord. A small portable inverter can be extremely valuable if you have the space in your storm bag.
Flashlights and Extra Batteries: A headlamp and handheld flashlight with a backup supply of batteries is a necessity when working or navigating in hours of darkness and low visibility.
Portable Water: A water bottle or water storage container that can be filled with fresh water to keep you hydrated when drinking water is scarce.
First Aid Kit: Stock a small first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any personal medical necessities. If you have an allergy and require an eppy pin, include this in your bag, in an easy to access location.
Personal Comfort Items: Bring basic hygiene supplies like, hand sanitizer, tissues, and baby wipes. A roll of toilet paper, stored in a waterproof bag, can be invaluable in the field when facilities are scarce or unavailable.
3. Food and Hydration
Working through a storm is intense; having the right food and hydration supplies makes all the difference in maintaining energy and morale. Often, food resources are limited or unavailable due to lack of power. Pack enough food to carry you through 2 days.
Non-Perishable Food: Pack energy-dense snacks like protein bars, nuts, dried fruit, beef jerky, and canned tuna or soup.
Electrolyte Tablets or Powder: Keeping hydrated is essential, especially during prolonged work. Electrolyte packets are easy to add to water and help replenish minerals lost during heavy exertion. (I am a huge fan of LIQUID I.V., you can find them online or at Costco.) Shop All | Liquid I.V.
Thermos: A thermos for hot coffee or soup can boost morale and provide a needed break during cold, long shifts.
4. Personal Items and Medicine
Take time to consider personal necessities that might not be easily accessible during a storm response.
Medications: Pack any prescription medications you need and consider keeping a small backup supply if you’re required to be in the field for multiple days.
Eyewear and Contacts: If you wear contacts or glasses, bring a backup pair along with contact solution and a case.
Cash: Cash can be essential if power outages affect payment systems and ATMs.
Personal Hygiene: Deodorant, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and other hygiene basics will help you feel refreshed despite the conditions.
5. On-the-Go Comfort and Support Items
Often overlooked, these items can make the time spent away from amenities much more bearable.
Small Pillow and Blanket: If you’ll be working in shifts, a compact pillow and blanket offer comfort for resting in your vehicle or a designated rest area.
Pictures of Home: At times, storm work can leave you feeling lonely and yearning for home. Keep a few pictures or memories of home can provide the comfort and motivation to push on.
Checklist Guide for the Storm Bag
Having all these items ready to go will ensure you’re prepared when duty calls. Here’s a link to a quick checklist to pack or verify your bag:
Stay Safe, Stay Prepared
Pre-storm preparation goes beyond just packing a bag. It’s about readiness, resilience, and responsibility. By packing a well-thought-out storm bag, you not only look after your own well-being but also ensure that you’re at your best for the critical task of restoring power and stability for the community.
