Texas Winter Storm 2026: What Do I Need To Buy at HEB? What Do I Need To Food Prep, Stock Up On?

The Austin area is preparing for severe winter weather over the weekend. Here’s what you need to get from HEB to ensure that your family is prepared for inclement weather and potential power outages.
This neighborhood preparedness guide provided by the city of Austin recommends storing enough food to last everyone in your family at least two weeks. It’s important that at least a portion of these supplies include foods that don’t require cooking.

So when you’re going to HEB, focus on:

• Canned fruit, soup, and vegetables
• Peanut butter
• Jam
• Crackers
• Cereals
• Cookies
• Dried fruit or meats
• Non-fat dry milk
• 1-2 gallons of water per person per day

It’s also not a bad idea to check in on your emergency kits. Here’s a checklist that you can use to make sure you’ve got the essentials, including:

• First aid kits
• Pet supplies
• Sanitation, personal hygiene items, and blankets
• Basic tools like a wrench or pliers

In this Reddit thread posted to r/Austin, locals generally note going to HEB for water jugs, shelf-stable food, candles, and batteries.

“Consider food that doesn’t require heat but is still good for you,” wrote one commenter. “Chips and soups can only get you so far. An apple will keep for a few days and reinvigorate you.”

It appears that some HEB locations across Texas are experiencing extra traffic ahead of the storm, so it’s important to plan ahead and make sure you’re getting everything you need ahead of Saturday evening.