All sarcasm aside., Try not to stress too much. The biggest variable is the power grid. 2021 has everyone nervous. If that happens again pretty much all leadership heads should roll and indemnity be damned people should lose their ill begotten fortunes and rot in jail. But that is different thread. Let's hope that the infrastructure and power grid holds on.
If so, you don't really have that much to worry about. I am not a weather expert like FTAG, but I know a lot about houses as a homeowner, professional inspector and contractor. While there can be problems, your house - and you - will be fine most likely. This will just be a long week of going stir crazy with kiddos and deciding Dryuary wasn't meant for ice storms....
Thought I would post some house specific thoughts/opinions on things to do that may be helpful to some. Keep in mind there can be differences in older houses and newer houses. Each really has it's own set of potential issues. Even though our houses aren't really made for artic temps, you should be able to get through a week or so without major issues - again as long as the stupid grid holds.
Pools: These have been discussed a lot here. According to my go to pool expert, the best option is to run the pump(s). For various reasons, people have valid personal concerns about this idea. According to my expert, draining is perfectly fine too, just make sure you do it correctly. Personally, I replaced the ancient pump on my older pool when I bought in 2020. Totally worth it both on some minor cost savings through the year and for not really having to worry about it if it has to run midspeed for a week. I will cover the equipment and have the necessary tools available to drain it if something goes dramatically wrong. For my simple system it should be a 5 minute job. Others have also put good suggests up here. I particularly liked the water/salt filled plastic jug in the skimmer, as those are vulnerable.
Exterior faucets: about the only benefit of the covers is that they make you disconnect hoses. Leaving a hose connected makes a broken pipe a pretty high risk. The covers are not going to keep the faucet from freezing though - no matter how you wrap or stuff them. Only a heat source could do that. I too have heard decent things about the freeze miser and am going to try a couple this year, though my set up is not ideal for them. I think they are probably a great idea for most houses with frost proof wall faucets.
Dripping interior faucets: To me this is a bit misunderstood by a lot of people. By drip, I mean like a cocktail straw wide stream. Drip HOT AND COLD. Drip any fixture on an outside wall. Drip the kitchen on an outside wall and/or an island. Open the cabinet doors so you get some airflow. Knew someone whose drain pipe on an outside sink actual froze in 2021 and would have caused a flood. But again, wouldn't have been an issue with power. Drip something on the second floor, even if it is not on an exterior wall, as the main line going up there may be in an outside wall and could freeze
Realize there will probably be some lines you might need to drip and cannot - icemakers, refrigerators, washer. Do your best. Maybe have and use some little safe fan heaters. You don't need jet engine heat, just something. If your home is newer and you have PEX, you are better off as it will expand before breaking. Be observant and watch things. But if something freezes, don't freak. There is a decent chance it will thaw out without a problem. I have always been told and practiced when it happened to me - if it freezes open the faucet on that line and pray and watch it closely as thing thaw out.
In the end, it is better to waste some water and keep things unfrozen.
Couple newer home specific things I see a lot.
Tankless water heaters: These can be found in the attic, garage and on the exterior wall. All three places have potential issues. Since the tankless unit is not sitting there with 50 gallons of hot water providing a heat sink, they can and will freeze up in all 3 locations. Surprisingly, I have heard the least amount of problems with these in the attic. Garage locations are usually on or close to an exterior wall and can freeze. Most units have a flow sensor so you can drip without it running 24/7. That should be enough, but I would have a little fan heater on hand to put out with it and warm that area a little just in case.
The exterior located ones. Yes, this is Texas, but putting them outside is pretty stupid to me. It was suggested to me from someone from Alaska to put a shoplight with an incandescent bulb or a string of incandescent Christmas light in the lower part of the cabinet with the plumbing under the cover. Little late, but if you have this setup at your house, I would make a HD run to try and get something to accomplish this. Have seen all kinds of elaborate setups to try and accomplish this after the fact - heaters, ladders, blankets. Don't be that person. Try to get ahead of it.
Switch operated (usually glass fronted) gas log fireplaces. No these don't put out a huge amount of heat. But in the worst case situation they do make some. A lot of people do not know that there is a battery backup built in on most of these to allow them to be turned on without electricity as long as the gas is still working. IT will be under the front cover at the bottom where the control valve is located. Most seem to be 4 AA batteries, though I think I have seen some that take C. Worth checking and having it set up if you have this type of system.
As someone else said, don't let your house get too cold while trying to be a good citizen. Be observant. Remember, any area in the house that is enclosed and on an outside wall, will start to drop to the outside temperature. Insulation, assuming they installed it at all an correctly, only slows the transfer of heat, it does not stop it. Some things like closets you can open. Others like under the master tub, you probably can't.
If anyone has a specific question, feel free. Will try to answer.
