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Winter Weather Preparedness

Sometimes winter storms are accompanied by strong winds creating blizzard conditions with blinding wind-driven snow, severe drifting, and dangerous wind chill.  Strong winds with these intense storms and cold fronts can cause coastal flooding and beach erosion as well as sink ships at sea.  In the West and Alaska, winds descending off the mountains can gust to 100 mph or more damaging roofs and other structures.

Extreme cold often accompanies a winter storm or is left in its wake.  Prolonged exposure to the cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia and become life threatening.  Infants and elderly people are most susceptible.  What constitutes extreme cold and its effect varies across different areas of the United States.  In areas unaccustomed to winter weather, near freezing temperatures are considered “extreme cold.”  Freezing temperatures can cause severe damage to citrus fruit crops and other vegetation.  Pipes may freeze and burst in homes that are poorly insulated or without heat.  In the north, below zero temperatures may be considered as “extreme cold.”  Long cold spells can cause rivers to freeze, disrupting shipping.  Ice jams may form and lead to flooding.

Heavy accumulations of ice can bring down trees, electrical wires, telephone poles and lines, and communication towers.  Communications and power can be disrupted for days while utility companies work to repair the extensive damage.  Even small accumulations of ice may cause extreme hazards to motorists and pedestrians.

Heavy snow can immobilize a region and paralyze a city, stranding commuters, stopping the flow of supplies, and disrupting emergency and medical services.  Accumulations of snow can collapse buildings and knock down trees and power lines.  In rural areas, homes and farms may be isolated for days, and unprotected livestock may be lost.  In the mountains, heavy s now can lead to avalanches.  The cost of snow removal, repairing damages, and loss of business can have large economic impacts on cities and towns.

Primary concerns are the potential loss of heat, power, telephone service, and a shortage of supplies if storm conditions continue for more than a day.  Keep in mind that loss of power does not always mean loss of phone service unless the only phone you have is portable.  Having a plug-in phone allows you to communicate as long as telephone service is active. 

Have available:

• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• Battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio and portable radio to receive emergency information.  These may be your only links to the outside.
• Extra food and water.  High-energy food, such as dried fruit or candy, and food requiring no cooking or refrigeration is best.
• Extra medicine and baby items.
• First aid supplies.
• Heating fuel.  Fuel carriers may not reach you for days after a severe winter storm.
• Emergency heating source, such as a fireplace, wood stove, space heater, etc.
• Learn to use properly to prevent a fire.
• Have proper ventilation.
• Fire extinguisher and smoke detector
• Test units regularly to ensure they are working properly.

Be prepared before the storm strikes:
Plan your travel and check the latest weather reports to avoid the storm!

• Fully check and winterize your vehicle before the winter season begins.
• Carry a WINTER STORM SURVIVAL KIT:

Blankets/sleeping bags; flashlight with extra batteries; first-aid kit; knife; high-calorie, non-perishable food; extra clothing to keep dry; a large empty can and plastic cover with tissues and paper towels for sanitary purposes; a smaller can and water-proof matches to melt snow for drinking water; sack of sand (or cat litter); shovel; windshield scraper and brush; tool kit; tow rope; booster cables; water container; compass and road maps.

• Keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
• Try not to travel alone.
• Let someone know your timetable and primary and alternate routes.

Dress to fit the season:
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing in several layers. Trapped air insulates.  Layers can be removed to avoid perspiration and subsequent chill.  Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent, and hooded.  Wear a hat.  Half your body heat loss can be from the head.  Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.  Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.  Try to stay dry.

Family Disaster Plan:
Families should be prepared for all hazards that affect their area and themselves.  NOAA’s National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the American Red Cross urge each family to develop a family disaster plan.

Where will your family be when disaster strikes?  They could be anywhere—at work, at school, or in the car.  How will you find each other?  Will you know if your children are safe?  Disasters may force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home.  What would you do if basic services—water, gas, electricity or telephones—were cut off?

Follow these basic steps to develop a family disaster plan …

Gather information about hazards: Contact your local National Weather Service office, emergency management office or American Red Cross Chapter.  Find out what types of disasters could occur and how you should respond.  Learn your community’s warning signals and evacuation plans.

Meet with your family to create a plan: Discuss the information you have gathered.  Pick two places to meet: a spot right outside of your home for an emergency, such as fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.  Choose an out-of-state friend as your “family check-in contact” for everyone to call if the family gets separated.  Discuss what you would do if advised to evacuate.

Implement your plan: (1) Post emergency telephone numbers by phones; (2) Install safety features in your house, such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, (3) Inspect your home for potential hazards (such as items that can move, fall, break or catch fire) and correct them; (4) Have your family learn basic safety measures, such as CPR and first aid; how to use a fire extinguisher; and how and when to turn off water, gas and electricity in your home; (5) Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services number; (6) Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days.  Assemble a disaster supplies kit with items you may need in case of an evacuation.  Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers, such as backpacks or duffel bags.  Keep important family documents in a waterproof container.  Keep a smaller disaster supplies kit in the trunk of your car.

Practice and maintain your plan: Ask questions to make sure your family remembers meeting places, phone numbers, and safety rules.  Conduct drills.  Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.  Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer’s instructions.  Replace stored water and food every six months.

Phone:  410-535-1600 or 301-855-1243, ext. 2638
Fax:  410-535-3997; Email:  oem@co.cal.md.us