[prmoustache]

Main risk during winter is not to freeze to death, but the fire and smoke hazards that comes with people making fires where they shouldn't be.

[mindslight]

Yes. Which is why it can be important to get electricity back on if your usual heating solution requires electricity to operate, rather than perhaps entertaining rustic visions like finally getting to use that fireplace.

I'm not saying that's the case here (I don't know! When OP has a spare minute they should think about what would have been different in a snowstorm!). It's just that this edgy contrarian "what's the big deal just read a book man" is laughable for most situations.