Are Americans being told to stock up on 7 items for a 'devastating' El Niño winter?

What is being shared

On October 27, the Mirror US ran the headline "Millions told to stock up on 7 items now as 'devastating' weather forming." Other sites carried versions saying Americans were told to "prepare now." The article opens by saying millions are being told to prepare as weather experts warn about an El Niño that could trigger "devastating consequences."

The seven items come near the end. The Mirror says a power engineer told UNILAD that a power generator is one of the most essential items, then lists seven more: a phone power bank, LED lanterns, batteries, a portable battery power station, extension cords, propane for a gas grill and solar panels.

What NOAA actually said

NOAA's US Winter Outlook, issued October 15, covers December through February. National Weather Service director Ken Graham said "a very strong El Nino will likely bring a southward and eastward shift to the jet stream for the contiguous U.S., which tilts the odds toward stormier weather across the South." NOAA's Climate Prediction Center said on October 8 that a strong-to-very strong El Niño is likely through January to March 2027, with a greater than 83% chance.

The outlook favors wetter-than-average conditions across the southern US from the Southwest to the Southeast and along the East Coast, and warmer-than-average conditions across the North, including the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest and much of the East. Drought is expected to improve or end in the Southwest, Southern Plains and Southeast. Graham warned that "too much precipitation on dry soil can fuel destructive flash floods and mudslides," and said "now is the time for communities and individuals to plan ahead for the upcoming winter."

What is confirmed, and what is not

Confirmed: the El Niño, the outlook and Graham's advice to plan ahead. NOAA's release points people to local watches and warnings at weather.gov, and to weather.gov/safety for winter preparedness.

Not confirmed: that anyone official told Americans to stock up on 7 items. NOAA's release doesn't mention buying supplies. The list first ran on UNILAD on October 13, two days before NOAA's outlook, in an article about an Arctic storm heading to the US. It is one power engineer's list for "extended periods without power," starting with a whole-house generator, on a page that says it contains paid shopping links. It isn't official advice.

"Devastating" is the headline's own word; no named forecaster in the article says it. Weather Channel meteorologist Mike Bettes told the Mirror US that back-to-back atmospheric rivers in Southern California "could have disastrous consequences," and that communities across the Southwest and Southeast "should be preparing now."

The Mirror's line that NOAA predicted temperatures would exceed normal levels this winter holds for the North and much of the East, not everywhere. NOAA favors near-normal temperatures in parts of the Southeast, including Florida, and equal chances across much of the Southwest. The outlook also doesn't project seasonal snowfall, because snow forecasts are generally not predictable more than a week ahead.

Why El Niño matters, and its limits

The World Meteorological Organization describes El Niño as "characterized by unusually warm ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific." A strong one shifts the jet stream, which is why NOAA leans toward a wetter South and a milder North. NOAA's forecasters say the chances of impacts consistent with El Niño are larger, "though not guaranteed."

So the outlook is a guide to the odds over three months, not a forecast for any one storm. NOAA updates it monthly, and the next update is due on November 19. The Mirror's own article ends with NOAA scientist Michele L'Heureux telling ABC News that "our seasonal forecasts are expressed in terms of probabilities." When a storm is coming, your local forecast and the alerts on our live alerts page tell you more than any seasonal headline.

What it means for your home

If you live across the South or along the East Coast, a wetter winter makes flooding and storm outages the risks to plan for. The National Weather Service's rule is "When Flooded, Turn Around Don't Drown," and it says just 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars. Our flood preparedness guide covers the steps.

For outages anywhere, the basics beat big purchases. Ready.gov suggests planning for alternative power such as a portable charger or power bank, and having flashlights for every household member. CDC says battery-powered flashlights and lanterns are safer than candles. A power station or generator is optional, not a must-have.

• A power bank for each phone, kept charged
• Flashlights or LED lanterns for everyone, plus spare batteries
• Water and food for several days
• A battery-powered or hand-crank radio, ideally a NOAA Weather Radio
• Heavy-duty extension cords made for outdoor use, if you run a generator

What not to do

Don't buy a generator or solar panels because of this headline. If you already have a generator, CDC says never to use it inside your home, basement or garage, or less than 20 feet from any window, door or vent. Ready.gov says to connect appliances to it with heavy-duty extension cords.

Propane for a gas grill is for cooking outdoors only. Ready.gov says generators, camp stoves or charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, and never to use a gas stovetop or oven to heat your home. Our power outage checklist and winter storm guide have the full lists.