Winter Storm Preparedness
Get READY ME

Winter weather too often catches people unprepared. Researchers say that 70 percent of the fatalities related to ice and snow occur in automobiles, and about 25 percent of all winter related fatalities are people that are caught off guard, out in the storm.

Build a three-day emergency preparedness kit with essentials for family and pet
-- kits should be portable and ready to go in the case of evacuation - use this checklist

MAKE A PLAN!

·         Discuss with your family and/or friends how to prepare for and respond to emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work and play. Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team.

·         Identify an out-of-town contact. After a disaster, long distance phone lines may be more reliable than local lines. Ask a friend or relative who lives outside of Washington state to be your “family contact.” After a disaster, your family contact becomes a communication point to share information with all household members. Your plan depends on everyone knowing your contact’s phone number.

·         Complete an Emergency Contact Card and place copies in your preparedness kit, home communication center, automobile and at your place of work or school.

·         Program all emergency contact numbers into all of your phones, or keep a list with you. Make sure to tell your family and friends that you’ve listed them as emergency contacts.

·         Use text messaging if network disruptions are causing phone calls not to go through.

Print the brochure - WHAT TO HAVE - In Your Head, In Your Home, In Your Hand, For Pets, For Special Needs

POWER OUTAGE INFORMATION AND TIPS

Keep food as safe as possible.

·         Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.

·         First use perishable food from the refrigerator. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold for about 4 hours.

·         Then use food from the freezer. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.

·         Use your non-perishable foods and staples after using food from the refrigerator and freezer.

·         If it looks like the power outage will continue beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items.

Electrical equipment

·         Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment, including sensitive electronics.

·         Turn off or disconnect any appliances (like stoves), equipment or electronics you were using when the power went out. When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment.

·         Leave one light turned on so you’ll know when the power comes back on.

·         Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic lights will be out and roads will be congested.
 

Print the Power Outage Checklist

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GENERATOR SAFETY

AUGUSTA - The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention received reports of carbon monoxide poisonings from generators being improperly run in garages in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. With several thousands of Maine households still without power, health officials are re-issuing safety warnings for people using gas-powered generators as alternate power supplies.

·         Gas-powered generators should always be used outside and placed at least 15 feet from windows and doors, including neighboring homes or buildings. 

·         Every home should also have a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector with fresh batteries. This is especially important for those folks running generators right now.

·         Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas formed when burning most types of fuels. Using gas-powered generators can cause poisoning if CO gas builds-up in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces, like garages, even if windows and doors are left open.  

Warning signs of CO poisoning are flu symptoms like headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion, but no fever. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause coma and death.

How to Prevent CO Poisoning During Power Outages

·         Place the generator outdoors in the fresh air. Keep it at least 15 feet from windows or doors. Do not put a generator in a closed or partly closed space, like a basement, cellar bulkhead, or attached garage. Carbon monoxide can build up to dangerous levels in these spaces.

·         Do not use outdoor cooking devices, such as grills or camp stoves, indoors.

·         Place a carbon monoxide detector that is battery powered (or has battery back-up power) outside each sleeping area. CO detectors are available in most stores. Look for the UL mark with the "Single Station Carbon Monoxide Alarm" statement.

If You Suspect CO Poisoning

·         Leave the house at once.

·         Call the fire department or 911.

·         Get medical attention. Call the Poison Center (1-800-222-1222) or your doctor after you leave the house.

·         Do not go back into the building until the fire department tells you it is safe.

Print the Generator Safety tips

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PREPARE YOUR CAR

Winter Vehicle Maintenance - Check or have a mechanic check the following items on your car:

·         Antifreeze levels - ensure they are sufficient to avoid freezing.

·         Battery and ignition system - should be in top condition and battery terminals should be clean.

·         Brakes - check for wear and fluid levels.

·         Exhaust system - check for leaks and crimped pipes and repair or replace as necessary. Carbon monoxide is deadly and usually gives no warning.

·         Fuel and air filters - replace and keep water out of the system by using additives and maintaining a full tank of gas.

·         Heater and defroster - ensure they work properly.

·         Lights and flashing hazard lights - check for serviceability.

·         Oil - check for level and weight. Heavier oils congeal more at low temperatures and do not lubricate as well.

·         Thermostat - ensure it works properly.

·         Windshield wiper equipment - make sure your wipers are replaced every six to twelve months for optimal performance and repair any problems and maintain proper washer fluid level.

Install good winter tires. Make sure the tires have adequate tread. Keep tires properly inflated and make sure they have adequate tread. Plan ahead - Tire dealers are busiest before and during winter storms. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. However, some jurisdictions require that to drive on their roads, vehicles must be equipped with chains or snow tires with studs.

Maintain at least a half tank of gas - As the temperature drops, keep your gas tank at least half full; the extra gas helps reduce condensation that can plug your fuel line with ice and stall your engine in cooler weather.

Place a winter emergency kit in each car that include: a shovel, windshield scraper and small broom, flashlight, battery powered radio, extra batteries, water (1 gallon per person, per day), snack food, matches, extra hats - socks and mittens, first aid kit with pocket knife, necessary medications, blanket(s), tow chain or rope, booster cables, emergency flares, large fluorescent HELP sign that can be placed inside your car window.

WINTER DRIVING - When You Have to Travel

·         If bad weather is predicted, check the forecast before heading out and adjust your travel plans if you can. If bad weather is forecast, consider postponing your trip.

·         Watch out for standing water, which can cause hydroplaning, and remember bridges and overpasses freeze first, so approach them cautiously and avoid sudden changes in direction. Don’t use high beams. Visibility is usually compromised in winter weather conditions. Day or night, headlights should be on and set to low beam.

·         Do not drive through deep standing water or around road closure signs - the water may be deeper than you think. Driving through standing water is the leading cause of flood-related death. Flooding can also conceal dangerous road damage or downed electrical lines. Obey closure signs until the water has receded and the road has safely reopened. Turn around. Don’t drown!

·         A flash flood causes water to rise around your car, abandon the vehicle and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away. Be especially vigilant when traveling at night!

·         When there’s snow on the ground, do not travel unless you have to. Staying home will keep you and others safe. If you must travel, check for local road closures and try to map the safest and least accident prone route.

·         When traveling, be aware of ice hazards, especially on shaded roadways, bridges or in high elevation areas prone to freezing.

·         If you have to travel, stay on the main roads and travel prepared with extra warm clothes, a blanket, a small shovel, sand or non-clumping litter, emergency flares, deice materials, tire chains, and an ice scraper.

·         Before you head out, maximize visibility by making sure your windows and mirrors are defrosted - keep the AC on to keep them from fogging up while you’re driving.

·         During high winds, look out. Keep an eye out for flying debris. And use extra caution near trailers, vans, or vehicles carrying lightweight cargo. Some vehicles shouldn’t be driven. It’s best not to drive a trailer, van, or other “high-profile” vehicle in high winds.

·         While driving in inclement weather, slow down and allow greater following distance. It takes longer to stop on wet or icy roads, so instead of staying the usual 3-4 seconds behind the car ahead, give it 8-10. Large trucks take longer to stop.

·         Four and all-wheel drive vehicles will not stop or steer better in icy conditions than two-wheel drive vehicles.

·         When driving in a multiple lane road during snow and ice conditions, stay in the lane that is most clear and avoid unnecessary lane changes. Be sure to use directional signals when changing lanes to indicate your intentions.

·         Steering and braking are more difficult on snowy or icy roads. Steer with smooth, careful movements. Avoid any abrupt braking that could cause you to lose control. With anti-lock brakes, apply constant, firm pressure to the pedal. If you have to take evasive action to avoid hitting something else, it’s best if possible to steer your way around the obstacle than to brake.

·         If you get stuck in snow, straighten your wheels and accelerate slowly to avoid spinning the tires. If it’s safe to get out of the car, use flares to alert other cars to your presence and use sand under the drive wheels or use your shovel to dig some of the snow out. If the wheels continue to spin and you can’t get un-stuck, do not get out of the vehicle. Turn on your emergency flashers and phone for help.

·         While traveling in severe winter weather and you come across a road maintenance vehicle, slow down and move out of the way to give them plenty of room to help clear the roadway. If behind a road maintenance vehicle, stay behind it until it is safe to pass. They have a limited field of vision while at work.

·         Slow down and be extra cautious near chain-up and removal areas. There are often people out of their vehicles.

·         If you must abandon your car during a snowstorm, pull as far off the road as safely possible to avoid blocking other vehicles and snow removal equipment.

·         If you must get out of your vehicle alongside the road during inclement weather, use reflectors such as reflective tape or flashing lights to be better seen by passing vehicles.

Print the WINTER DRIVING BROCHURE

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PREPARE YOUR HOME - Getting Ready for Freezing Temperatures and Snowfall

Before the cold hits:

·         Insulate pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic. These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Remember - the more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.

·         Heat tape or thermostatically-controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. Be sure to use products approved by an independent testing organization and only for the intended use (exterior or interior). Closely follow all manufacturers’ installation and operation instructions. 

·         Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.

·         Wrap outdoor pipes and faucets to keep them from freezing.

·         Disconnect garden hoses and, if practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.

When the mercury drops:

·         A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.

·         Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls. 

·         Clear your sidewalks of snow and ice with salt, deicer and/or snow shoveling to avoid injuries on your property. 

·         Keep snow build-up off of surfaces that could collapse.

Carbon Monoxide Can Kill

·         Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.

·         The primary hazards to avoid when using alternate sources for electricity, heating or cooking are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock and fire.

When freezing temperatures and snow strike, first ensure your own safety. Then check in with family, friends, and neighbors to make sure they are OK.

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WIND CHILL

On November 1, 2001, the National Weather Service implemented a new Wind Chill Temperature (WCT) index for the 2001/2002 winter season, designed to more accurately calculate how cold air feels on human skin. The Wind Chill Chart includes a frostbite indicator, showing the points where temperature, wind speed and exposure time will produce frostbite on humans. The chart above includes three shaded areas of frostbite danger. Each shaded area shows how long (30,10 and 5 minutes) a person can be exposed before frostbite develops. For example, a temperature of 0°F and a wind speed of 15 mph will produce a wind chill temperature of -19°F. Under these conditions, exposed skin can freeze in 30 minutes.  (click here to download the brochure)

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WINTER WEATHER TERMS

Winter Storm Warning: Issued when hazardous winter weather in the form of heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is imminent or occurring. Winter Storm Warnings are usually issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected to begin.

Winter Storm Watch: Alerts the public to the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet. Winter Storm Watches are usually issued 12 to 48 hours before the beginning of a Winter Storm.

Winter Storm Outlook: Issued prior to a Winter Storm Watch. The Outlook is given when forecasters believe winter storm conditions are possible and are usually issued 3 to 5 days in advance of a winter storm.

Blizzard Warning: Issued for sustained or gusty winds of 35 mph or more, and falling or blowing snow creating visibilities at or below ¼ mile; these conditions should persist for at least three hours.

Wind Chill Warning: Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be hazardous to life within several minutes of exposure.

Wind Chill Advisory: Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be a significant inconvenience to life with prolonged exposure, and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to

hazardous exposure.

Winter Weather Advisories: Issued for accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and sleet which will cause significant inconveniences and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations.

Dense Fog Advisory: Issued when fog will reduce visibility to ¼ mile or less over a widespread area.

Snow Flurries: Light snow falling for short durations. No accumulation or light dusting is all that is expected.

Snow Showers: Snow falling at varying intensities for brief periods of time. Some accumulation is possible.

Snow Squalls: Brief, intense snow showers accompanied by strong, gusty winds. Accumulation may be significant. Snow squalls are best known in the Great Lakes region.

Blowing Snow: Wind-driven snow that reduces visibility and causes significant drifting. Blowing snow may be snow that is falling and/or loose snow on the ground picked up by the wind.

Sleet: Rain drops that freeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet usually bounces when hitting a surface and does not stick to objects. However, it can accumulate like snow and cause a hazard to motorists.

Freezing Rain: Rain that falls onto a surface with a temperature below freezing. This causes it to freeze to surfaces, such as trees, cars, and roads, forming a coating or glaze of ice. Even small accumulations of ice can cause a significant hazard.

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FORMS, GUIDES & BROCHURES

·         Emergency Preparedness Checklist

·         Generator Safety tips - provided by Maine CDC

·         Power Outage Checklist

·         Preparing Makes Sense. Get ready NOW! - provided by Ready.gov (FEMA)

·         WHAT TO HAVE - In Your Head, In Your Home, In Your Hand, For Pets, For Special Needs

·         Wind Chill Index brochure - provided by National Weather Service

·         Winter Driving Tips

·         WINTER STORMS - the Deceptive Killers - provided by US Dept of Commerce, NOAA and National Weather Service

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Last Modified: 11-November-2011
Views Since November 2009