Austin Woman Shares Tips on How to Weather Winter Storm

An Austin woman who once suffered the consequences of forgoing extreme weather preparation is advising her neighbors to get serious ahead of a winter storm. Here’s what she suggests.

TikTok creator Anastasia (@stasiamorrow) posted a video with her advice last month. “Attention all Austin residents: I’m going to give you a quick rundown of the things that you should do to prepare for this winter storm—coming from somebody who didn’t do these and had to pay the price,” she says to start the video.

In the caption, she wrote, “Try to find a place with a generator if you can. Stay safe and check on your loved ones.”

What This Austin Recommends Doing Ahead of This Weekend’s Storm

The first piece of advice is on the subject of plumbing. “All of your faucets need to be dripping. Hot and cold water,” she says. “Both need to be dripping.”

The second recommendation addresses potential water needs. “Next, you want to fill up a bathtub before the storm with water so you have water to use in your toilets and things if your water gets shut off,” she says.

Anastasia’s third suggestion is to charge all of your electronic devices. “All of your power banks,” she says. “Everything. Get it charged now, because you don’t want to be going to your car at 4 in the morning.”

With regard to food, she recommends staying stocked but not over buying. “Don’t go and buy everything,” she says. “Buy the staples. Buy some canned beans. Buy some canned vegetables and buy beef.”

She adds, “If you’re gonna grill, it doesn’t need to be frozen, but preferably freeze it. You can always thaw it out, but that way it stays cold.”

The last recommendation has to do with heating your home properly. “And, finally, before the storm, make sure your thermostat is set hotter than you usually set it in case you lose power,” she says. “You want to make sure that your apartment is still going to be warm and it’s not absolutely freezing.”

Viewers React to the Winter Storm 2026 Preparation Advice

In the comments section, viewers debated whether this level of prep is necessary or if it’s overkill.
“Y’all taking this too seriously,” wrote one viewer. “Looks like a normal day in Minnesota.”

A person replied, “Yeah, and this isn’t Minnesota? Come on, don’t be obtuse. The infrastructure is not made for freezing temperatures, ice, and snow.”

Someone else indicated they aren’t taking it as seriously as Anastasia. They wrote, “I’m playing Fortnite.”[[File:Winter Storm Uri in Austin, Texas 05.jpg|Winter_Storm_Uri_in_Austin,_Texas_05]]

Local officials are urging residents to take the potential of inclement weather seriously, and (responsibly) stocking up on food, batteries, and other emergency items is a good idea. Here is a list of things to grab from HEB or any other local grocery store with inventory still in stock.

Patch Texas contacted Anastasia via TikTok comment and direct message for comment.