Gallery: What You Need to Survive Blizzard 2016, From Boxed Wine to Wi-Fi
01brck
Losing the ability to check up on family and receive news can be terrifying. The [BRCK](https://www.brck.com/) ($250) is a self-powered Wi-Fi device for when the snow wipes the power out or your Internet gets painfully slow. The small black box runs on a 3G network with any sim card and can handle up to 20 devices at once for up to eight hours. If the mobile 3G networks get finicky, this rugged box-of-Internet comes with an antenna to extend your ability to reach out to a mobile cell tower. It was originally designed in Nairobi, Kenya to keep the Internet reliability pumping where electricity and Internet connectivity is always spotty, so it should probably do you just fine if you get knocked offline for a day or two.
02Radio
Radio isn’t dead. In fact, when the Internet fails and engineers can’t repair the power lines fast enough, your radio can be a lifeline for essential local information and resources. Tune in with the [Midland Consumer ER300 Radio](https://midlandusa.com/product/er300-emergency-crank-digital-weather-alert-radio/) ($70). It runs on crank, solar, or USB power, has a 130 lumen super bright flashlight, and can tune into the always entertaining NOAA weather band. And if your car breaks down on the way home from an emergency grocery run in a low visibility snow storm, power up the radio’s SOS flashlight that comes with a morse code function or switch on the ultrasonic dog whistle so dog sledding emergency teams can find you fast.
03Screen Shot 2016-01-22 at 3.06.14 PM
Being snowed-in can mean having to rough it in the comfort of your own home. If the electricity fails, so will your electric stove. So for the full indoor camping treatment, why not try cooking on a propane-powered camping stove? The [Campchef Rainer Camper’s Combo](http://www.campchef.com/rainier-campers-combo.html) ($153) has a burner and a non-stick griddle that can be switched out for a grill. Sometimes the only thing you want when it’s cold outside is hot food. But before you start flipping pancakes by candlelight, remember to fuel up. This portable kitchen is powered with propane.
04shovel
Not all snow shovels are created equally. So when you can’t even open the door, try arming yourself with the [True Temper 18-inch Ergonomic Mountain Mover](http://www.homedepot.com/p/True-Temper-18-in-Ergonomic-Mountain-Mover-Snow-Shovel-1603400/100258384?AID=11210757&PID=7135626&SID=skim45704X1253620X817585d69c9aa96a7f2fe1f877e99e70&cm_mmc=CJ-_-7135626-_-11210757&cj=true). This lightweight scoop is tipped with an 18-inch blade and a nylon strip to help cut through hard pack and still not scratch your deck. The ergonomic curved handle is also a huge plus if you’re weary of ruining your back when burrowing out of the house. And it’s only $26, so if you do break your back, you at least won’t have broken your budget.
05Waka waka
Just because your lights go out doesn’t mean you have to seance. Put away the candles and instead try the solar powered flashlight from [Wakawaka](https://us.waka-waka.com/store/catalogue/wakawaka-light_15/) ($40). The company claims that this little powerhouse of a flashlight can stay shining for up to 80 hours after just charging in the sun for a single day. That’s long enough to read a book cover-to-cover. You can adjust the brightness with three settings to get the mood lighting right and, it has handy table stand so don’t have to feel like you’re camping in your own home.
06bota box
It’s cold. You’re tired. Light some candles and satiate your hedonistic tendencies with a fancy box of wine. And no, we are not suggesting you buy Franzia. Hit up your local grocer and choose from among the many worthy drinking wines that come in cardboard. There are some great options, and it’s usually cheaper than bottled wine. Drinking is scientifically proven to be one of the best ways to treat a bad case of cabin fever (trust us, we just made it up). Try ordering via [Postmates](http://www.postmates.com) or [Drizly](http://www.drizly.com) if weather conditions permit (and you really don't want to go outside).
07ice scraper
If you’ve ever spent a solid 30 minutes trying to break through a dense sheet of ice on your windshield, you may think this [Heated Ice Scraper from Samsonite](http://www.sharperimage.com/si/view/product/Heated+Ice+Scraper/200875#) ($30) is shear genius. It plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter with a 15-foot cord and a 17-inch handle to reach all around your car and cut through the ice. Plus it’s got a built-in LED light for long winter mornings when it’s still dark outside and you’re actually trying to get to work on time. This gadget can heat up to almost 400 degrees fahrenheit, so it even beats out the old pouring-tepid-by-comparison-boiling-water-on-your-windshield trick!
Charlie McCullers08generators
Power could be out for days. So be prepared for the long haul by trucking over to the hardware store to rent a [huge freaking power generator](http://www.homedepot.com/c/generator_equipment_rental?cm_mmc=SEM%7CToolRental%7CMediumPriority&gclid=CjwKEAiAw4e1BRDfi7vghaWU9jESJACzo9juSRyJ2LCxn1bGdAXZEGR4nfABhFK1vsAg6h3lqfJAHhoCjijw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds). For between $60 and $90 dollars a day, you can keep your fridge cold (in case you didn’t already put the beer outside), your TV on, power a few light bulbs, your computer charger, lava lamp, electric kettle, and most importantly, space heaters. Most run on fuel, so be sure to stop by the gas station to fill-er-up before going home to nest.
