The best extreme weather tech: Top gear for snowstorm power outages

Why lug a toolbox around with you when you can get a toolbox that fits in your pocket or on a belt?

I'd never suggest that a multitool can take over the job of a proper toolkit, but a proper toolkit is only any good to you if you have it with you.

There are countless multitools on the market, ranging wildly in terms of price, quality, and features. Since I live by the adage of "buy cheap, buy twice," I prefer to pay a little more and get a quality item. This is why I always carry a Leatherman tool with me. The company offers over 30 to choose from. I like my multitool to have a pair of solid pliers, decent screwdrivers, and a pair of scissors.

My current favorite is the Leatherman Free P4. I've found all Leatherman tools to be tough, but the Free P4 takes this to a new level. This is a solid tool that has a multitude of uses.

Having the ability to throw some light on a situation always helps. And when you're constantly diving under desks or delving inside PCs, having a flashlight that fits into your pocket is very handy. I prefer to go with an LED flashlight these days because they last much longer than incandescent bulbs, and the batteries last a lot longer too.

There are plenty of LED flashlights to choose from, starting at the high end like , going all the way down to a cheap plastic thing you can pick up at a gas station for a dollar.

My go-to headlamp now is the Petzl Aria 1. It features multiple white and RGB LEDs, customizable brightness, and takes AAA or the Petzl Core rechargeable battery. And however you power it, it lasts for hours on the lowest setting.

Peli makes simply the best protective cases available. I became sold on them after a friend of mine filled one with Jelly Beans and then let a bear try to get inside it. Apart from a few awesome bite and claw marks, the case survived, and the bear didn't get his prize.

I've had a Peli Storm Case filled with delicate camera gear survive a massive car accident. It had to be cut free from the wreck because it had taken a direct hit from another vehicle, and the door panel had crumpled around it. I was convinced it was a goner, but it and all the stuff inside was intact. The case is still fully serviceable and still in regular use.

If you think you're going to be relying on your smartphone when things go bad, it makes sense to protect it from knocks, drops, and dunks into water.

I've been using cases from , , , and for years now and find that they offer good protection without adding too much bulk. Over the past couple of years, I've moved to using Quad Lock when I need a high level of durability and compatibility with a wide range of mounting systems for the car or e-bike.

During storms, power can be very unreliable, so being able to have an off-grid power supply can be a lifesaver.

A few years back, I lived off-grid in Scotland for a couple of months using a Jackery Portable Power Station and a couple of solar panels. Now, solar panels aren't going to be much use to you during a storm, but the power station will be, and the solar panels themselves can work at any point where the sun is in the sky, so they could be used in an emergency once the storm has passed. 

Information is power. While your main access to the web might be down, you might be able to connect using the 3G/LTE network using a dongle or hotspot device. These days they are more than good enough for you to stream your favorite movie from Netflix while also allowing you to get access to news, weather and other information.

You can pick these up either from phone stores or online. Personally, I think it's best to get an unlocked one so you can pick and choose the provider you go with based on price and service in your area.

My current favorite is the Netgear Nighthawk M1.

A radio might seem old-school, but there are times when it can be a lifesaver.

There are lots of radios to choose from, but the Midland ER310 ticks all the boxes. It's robust, receives AM/FM & weather band alerts, features multiple power options (batteries, rechargeable batteries, solar, and a hand crank), includes a flashlight, and can be used to charge a smartphone.

It's easy to forget how much we rely on power to keep our devices running. But what do you do when the lights go out?

This is where a portable power pack can come in handy. This can be used to keep your smartphone, and other gadgets charged up.

For extended periods without power, I use the Anker PowerHouse 100. Not only is it equipped with a huge 27,000mAh battery, a 45W USB-C port, 2 USB ports, and a 100W AC outlet, but it also features a handy LED light.

Want a way to stay in touch without having to rely on the cellular network? Then you want some two-way radios.

In my experience, the cheap consumer radios are junk and barely work when you can see the other person, but if you invest in something a little more professional, then you'll have a bit of kit that you can rely on when the going gets tough.

Motorola units get my vote every time, as they are durable, well made, and have a good transmit range.

If your power needs go beyond what a solar charger can offer, then you need to think bigger. If you have the space, then a gasoline generator is one idea, but you have to run this sort of thing outdoors because they are smelly and a fire hazard (I've seen one of these erupt into a giant fireball, and that's the sort of thing that can put a crimp in your day).

A safer and more flexible alternative is a 12V inverter that you can run from your car battery. One of the best inverters out there is the Cobra PRO 2500W, which can push out a whopping 2500W and is kitted out with a raft of safety features.

If you live somewhere that's prone to flooding, then having a waterproof bag for your gear is a good idea. If bad weather is on the way, pop your precious gear inside a dry bag for safety.

I've used Ortlieb dry bags to keep delicate electronics dry in some of the worst weather conditions, and they've never failed me.