Across Northern California, winter can bring a dramatic shift in weather. Storm systems known as atmospheric rivers act like rivers in the sky, carrying large amounts of water vapor that often falls as heavy rain when they reach land. The strongest can bring flooding, disrupt travel, and even trigger mudslides. Wind and rain can also bring down trees and damage power lines, leaving homes without electricity or heat for hours or longer.

For older adults living on their own, a winter storm can quickly become more than an inconvenience. A cold house, a medical device without power, a dark hallway, or spoiled food can all create real risks. A little planning now can help your loved one stay warm, safe, and connected when the next storm arrives.

Why Cold Weather Poses Greater Risks

According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), changes that come with aging can make it harder for older adults to notice when their body is getting too cold. Some common health conditions can also make staying warm more difficult:

Diabetes can keep blood from flowing normally to provide warmth.
Thyroid problems can affect the body's ability to maintain a normal temperature.
Arthritis and Parkinson's disease can make it harder to put on extra clothes, use a blanket, or get out of the cold.
Memory problems can cause a person to forget precautions such as dressing warmly.
Some medications, including prescriptions and some over-the-counter cold medicines, can affect body heat. Ask your loved one's doctor whether any of their medicines might, and what to do about it.

Recognizing the Signs of Hypothermia

Hypothermia happens when the body's core temperature drops below 95°F. Many people picture it as an outdoor danger, but the NIA notes that about 20 percent of cold-related injuries happen at home, and even mildly cool homes of 60 to 65°F can lead to hypothermia in older adults. It can also happen at cool temperatures above 40°F if someone becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or cold water, which matters in a wet Northern California winter.

Because hypothermia affects clear thinking, a person may not realize what is happening or that they need help. Watch for early warning signs, including:

Cold hands and feet
A puffy or swollen face
Pale skin
Shivering or shaking
Slowed or slurred speech
Feeling sleepy, angry, or confused

Hypothermia is a medical emergency. If you notice these signs, call 911 right away. While you wait, the NIA suggests moving the person to a warmer place, offering a warm drink, and wrapping them in dry blankets, towels, or coats.

Keeping the Home Warm and Safe

The NIA recommends setting the heat to at least 68°F. A few simple habits can also help hold warmth in:

Keep blinds and curtains closed, and use weather stripping or caulk around drafty windows.
Place a rolled towel in front of doors to block drafts.
Dress warmly indoors in loose layers, with socks, slippers, and a throw blanket close by.
Use extra covers at night.
Eat enough food to maintain weight, and limit alcohol, which can cause the body to lose heat.

If the power goes out, never use a gas stove or oven to heat the home, because it raises the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Some space heaters are fire hazards or can increase carbon monoxide risk, so follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. If an outage leaves your loved one without heat, the NIA suggests staying with a relative or friend, and Ready.gov recommends checking with local officials about warming locations nearby.

Carbon Monoxide Safety During Outages

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that CO can build up when people use generators, grills, or other fuel-burning equipment for heat or cooking during winter storm outages. To help reduce risk:

Never use a generator inside the home, basement, or garage, or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent.
Never use a charcoal grill, lantern, or portable camping stove indoors.
Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup on every level of the home.

Common symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. People who are asleep can be poisoned before they ever notice symptoms, which is why working detectors matter. If someone shows signs of CO poisoning, call 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Planning for Medications and Medical Equipment

Refrigerated medicines: Ready.gov suggests asking the doctor how long each medicine can be stored at higher temperatures. The CDC advises that if the power is out for a day or more, refrigerated medicine should be thrown away unless the label says otherwise. If a life depends on it, use it only until a new supply is available, and replace it as soon as possible.
Powered medical devices: If your loved one uses oxygen, a nebulizer, home dialysis, or a power wheelchair, talk with their provider about an outage plan. Oxygen users can ask their provider about backup canisters. If they receive regular treatments at a clinic, ask about the clinic's emergency plans.
Label and teach: PG&E suggests labeling equipment with your loved one's name, contact information, and operating instructions, and teaching helpers how to use it and any backup power.
Utility programs: If your loved one's utility is PG&E, look into the Medical Baseline Program. Eligibility is based on medical need, not income, and enrolled customers may receive additional alerts before a Public Safety Power Shutoff. Power is still shut off for everyone on affected lines, so a personal backup plan remains essential. If they use another utility, ask what support it offers.

Assembling a Storm and Outage Kit

Before the rainy season settles in, help your loved one gather supplies in one easy-to-reach place. Ready.gov and the CDC suggest:

A flashlight for every household member, plus spare batteries. Flashlights are safer than candles.
A NOAA Weather Radio, or the FEMA app for National Weather Service alerts.
A charged power bank for phones, and a check on whether the home phone works without power.
Nonperishable food, water, and extra blankets and warm coats.
Medicines, medical supplies, batteries, and chargers.
A paper list of emergency contacts, plus copies of Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance cards.

Keep the refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible. A closed refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours, and a full freezer for about 48 hours. Throw out food that has been at 40°F or higher for two hours or more.

Building a Family Check-In Plan

Outages can disrupt phones, water, and transportation, so set up your plan before a storm arrives. Make sure at least one nearby relative, friend, or neighbor has a spare key, knows where emergency supplies are kept, and knows how to use any lifesaving equipment or give medicine. Agree on regular phone or text check-ins during storm warnings, since the NIA recommends having someone check in during cold weather.

When the weather turns bad, staying inside is often the safest choice. If your loved one does go out, railings and nonskid, rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes can help reduce fall risk on wet steps and walkways, and delivery services for prescriptions and groceries can save risky trips.

Peace of Mind Through the Storm Season

Keeping an older adult's home warm, stocked, and safe through a Northern California winter takes steady attention, and it can be hard to manage from a distance. At Timber Ridge in Eureka and McKinleyville and Vine Ridge in Cloverdale, assisted living includes a team available around the clock, with staff availability and emergency call systems that add peace of mind for residents and families.

Winter Storm and Outage Safety for Older Adults