I believe your "snow hurricane" is what my brother in Bemidji, Minnesota, calls "winter." When I visit him (usually in the summer) I am impressed with the adaptations to his situation. He is about twelve miles out of town, but self-sufficiency is built into the place - a self contained gas system with a large fireplace (and many cords of firewood available), to say nothing of good insulation and a house built partially into a hill which shelters them from the occasional "snow hurricane."

There are the skis and snowshoes sitting handy in the garage (heated) and lots of implements for moving snow about, as well as a wardrobe somewhat different from what I usually sport in SoCal. He gets through winters quite handily.

My bro retired to Minnesota to escape the Houston heat and to enjoy the bass fishing. I think he succeeded.