When it comes to gathering fuel during those intense storms, your best bet is focusing on sticks and indoor materials first. You can find sticks pretty much everywhere near trees and paths, and the nice thing is they keep showing up even during bad weather which is super convenient if you're running low.

Inside buildings is where you'll find most of your good stuff honestly. Churches and abandoned buildings usually have plenty of wooden things you can break down with your hands or a hammer, making them perfect spots to stock up. If you're carrying a hatchet that's even better since you can grab cedar limbs when the weather clears up, but maybe don't risk going out for those during a storm.

Something interesting about mines - they're actually incredible for stockpiling coal which burns way longer than wood. Try keeping about 10-15 pieces stored near your main shelters, especially fishing huts or caves where you might need to wait out bad weather. The catch is you'll need to gather it during clear weather since mine areas are pretty exposed.

For emergency situations, keeping 5-6 sticks in your pack is always smart since you can quickly make torches if things get desperate. When you're caught in a surprise storm, try gathering sticks near big rocks where you'll have some shelter, but keep an eye on that frostbite risk especially if you're out there too long. Coal might burn hotter and longer, but sometimes you just gotta work with what's nearby and stay safe.