How to Prepare for a Winter Freeze (and Possible Ice Storm) in Middle Tennessee

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If you live in Middle Tennessee, you already know the drill:
The forecast says “possible snow & ice,” everyone panics just a little, milk and bread disappear, and then we wait to see if it’s nothing… or if we’re about to lose power for days.

With a winter freeze, snow and possible ice storm coming this weekend, now is the time to prepare — not scare yourself, just get ready. A little prep goes a long way when temps drop and the power flickers.

Here’s what we do to get through freezes safely and with minimal stress.

🧊 Protect Your Pipes (Before They Become a Problem)

One of the best old-school tricks I’ve ever used during a hard freeze is this:

🔥 Clay Pot Candle Trick (With Caution)

Take 3–4 inch clay pots, turn them upside down over candles, and place them:

In bathrooms
Under or near the kitchen sink
Near exposed plumbing

This gentle heat can help keep pipes from freezing — especially if your house is older or has plumbing in exterior walls. Also, during these next 3-4 days leave your pipes dripping all day and night until it gets above 32*. If you turn them off and it drops at night below 24* start them dripping again. Do both hot and cold out of every faucet and tub in your house.

⚠️ Important safety notes:

Never leave candles unattended
Keep them far from anything flammable
Place them on a heat-safe surface
Do NOT use this if you’re leaving the house or going to sleep

This trick has saved my pipes more than once — but safety always comes first.

🚰 Stock Up on Water (For You and Your Animals)

If power goes out, water access can quickly become an issue.

🐶🐴🐔 Don’t Forget the Animals

Before the freeze:

Fill extra water jugs with tap water (I already have 10 ready for such occasions)
Have extra buckets/pails ready (check dripping water means catching water to use to flush your toilets if needed!)
Store water inside so it doesn’t freeze solid

I always keep:

Jugs of water for dogs and cats
Extra pails for horses
Water on hand for chickens and livestock

Animals don’t get a “pause” button during bad weather — having water and food ready makes a huge difference.

🔌 Be Ready for Power Outages

Ice storms in Middle TN almost always mean power outages — sometimes short, sometimes not. I remember a storm in the late 90’s where we slept in the living room (fireplace there only) and had no electricity for 4 days. Others in Nashville were without power for over a month. It was that bad. It’s important for you to grab propane (for cooking, or whatever you need it for…we will be using it for cooking). I waited at TSC today for over an hour and they ran out of propane. So, I ran to Lowe’s and grabbed/exchanged ours there instead of getting them filled. At this point you have to do whatever it takes to get what you need (but don’t be greedy, get what you need).

I’ve heard you can put a tent up in your room and all pile in to sleep. That this will keep you very warm and toasty (I don’t have a tent but if you do use it!).

⚡ Generator Prep

If you have a generator:

Test it now
Make sure you have fuel
Know how to safely operate it outdoors only

I’ve heard of people who have a large propane tank to run their generator, which allows:

The stove to work
Essential electric to stay on
If you have a grill then this is what we plan to cook on!

We don’t have a generator…wish us luck!

⚠️ Generators should never be run indoors, in garages, or near windows.

🚗 Gas Up Before the Ice Hits

Do this now — not later:

Fill your car or truck with gas (check did this today)
Buy extra gas cans if you have them
Park vehicles where you can access them easily (outside is best)

Ice storms can make roads impassable, and gas stations may lose power too.

🏠 Stay Inside and Stay Warm (Safely)

If the power goes out:

Stay inside
Bundle up
Close off unused rooms
Put water, snacks, flashlights, and blankets in one central area (usually where your fireplace is.)
Stay out of your freezer and your fridge (go in once after you’ve planned meals for a few days and only get out what you need.) If you are without power put important things that can ruin outside while it’s below freezing (not above 32*). For instance, I put milk outside during one such freeze and it allowed me to keep and use my milk while this was going on. We have to be resourceful when these things happen.

🚨 VERY IMPORTANT: About Using Your Car for Heat

Running a vehicle inside a garage or partially inside a garage is extremely dangerous due to carbon monoxide. Only do this outside if you need warmth. Never inside.

If you ever use a vehicle for warmth:

It must be fully outdoors
Exhaust must be completely clear
Run it only briefly
Never do this while sleeping
Never do this in an enclosed or semi-enclosed space

Carbon monoxide is invisible and deadly — safety always comes before warmth.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Winter weather in Middle Tennessee can be unpredictable. Sometimes it’s nothing. Sometimes it’s days without power. Being prepared doesn’t mean panic — it means peace of mind.

✔ Protect your pipes
✔ Store water
✔ Prep your generator
✔ Gas up early
✔ Put safety first ✔ Run to the grocery store

A little preparation now can save you a lot of stress later.

Stay warm, stay safe, and hopefully we all come out of this with power still on and pipes intact. ❄️💙

Before you go give me a follow on facebook, youtube and tiktok. Then enjoy these articles about snow days!

Enjoy our downloadable pdf to print out and check things off as you do them!

STORM CHECKLIST Middle Tennessee 🏠 Download