Winter Storm Advisory, Watch,

Winter Storm Advisory, Watch,

and Warning

Winter Storm Advisory;

Winter storm facts;

Winter weather is expected. Use

caution. Light amounts of precipitation

or patchy blowing snow will cause slick

conditions and could affect travel if

precautions are not taken. Winter

weather advisories bring at least two or

more of the following drizzle (or

freezing rain), sleet and/or blowing

snow.

The air doesn’t have to be

super moist to produce

impressive amounts of snow.

Unlike rainfall, a blanket of

fluffy snow contains lots of air

that adds to its bulk. An inch

of rain in the summer equals

about 10 inches of snow in the

colder months.

Winter Storm Watch;

Winter storms create a higher

risk of car accidents,

Hypothermia, frostbite, carbon

monoxide poisoning, and heart

attacks from overexertion.

Snow, Sleet, or ice is possible within the

next 12 to 36 hours. Be prepared for

changing conditions. A possible storm

could produce heavy snow, sleet, or

freezing rain and have significant

impact on the community.

Winter Storm Warning;

Snow, sleet, or ice is imminent. The

storm means two or more of the

following conditions may soon occur:

heavy snow, freezing conditions may

soon occur: heavy snow, freezing rain,

sleet, and/or heavy winds. There will be

a significant impact on the community.

A blizzard is a severe snowstorm with

winds in excess of 35 mph and visibility

of less than a ¼ mile for more than 3

hours.

More than 22 million tons of

salt are used on U.S. roads

each winter. This amounts to

more than 137 pounds of salt

per person.

Snow on the moist side is best

for building you own backyard

Frosty. Oneida scientist pegs

the perfect snow to water ratio

at 5:1.

WINTER

STORM

SURVIVAL

GUIDE

Winter storms can

range from normal

snow of over a few

hours to a blizzard with

blinding, wind driven

snow that lasts for

several days.

Many winter storms

bring dangerously lower

temperatures and,

sometimes strong

winds, icing sleet and

freezing rain.

Preparedness

Response

Preparing for winter storms

A Winter Storm is Coming: Now What?

Follow these tips as the storm threat approaches;

Sign up for your community’s warning system. A weather

radio also provides emergency alerts.

Pay attention to weather reports and warnings of freezing

weather and winter storms.

Extreme winter weather can leave communities without

utilities or other services for long periods of time.

Personal and Property safety;

Prepare you home with insulation, caulking, and weather

stripping.

Follow these tips as the storm approaches:

Listen to the NOAA weather radio or local alerting system for

current emergency information and instructions.

Contact your local emergency management office for

information on designated public shelters in case you lose

power or heat.

Stay off roads if possible. If going out on roads let someone

know your destination, your route, and when you expect to

arrive.

Check on neighbors especially the elderly and disabled.

Securing the property:

Heating systems should also be cleaned and serviced each

year before they are used to ensure they are safe and

working properly.

When using alternative heat from a fireplace, wood stove, or

space heater, use the safeguards and ventilate property.

Install and check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide

detectors.

To keep pipes from freezing, let faucets drip a little and know

how to shut off water valves.

Gather supplies in case you get stuck on the road. Bring

blankets, or sleeping bags, extra clothing, snacks, bottled

water, flashlight, jumper cables and small tool kit. Bring extra

medication and a first aid kit.

Keep a shovel inside the house so you can maintain

clearance around exit routes during

the storm.

Keep your car in good condition to decrease the chance of

being stranded. Keep your car’s gas tank full and to keep the

fuel line from freezing.

Keep your cell phone battery fully charged and keep it with

you whenever traveling. Have extra batteries and charging

devices for phones and other critical equipment.

Keep a windshield scrapper, small broom, and shovel in your

car for ice and snow removal.

Personal Safety:

Limit your time outside. If you need to go outside, wear

layers of warm clothing. Watch for signs of frostbite and

hyperthermia.

Pet Safety:

Have a water supply available. Most animal deaths in winter

storms are from dehydration.

Pet Safety:

Consider placing coats or boots on smaller dogs to wear

during walks to protect them from the elements and cold

temperatures.

Assemble an emergency kit for your pets to include; food,

water, toys, medications, ID tags, leash, bedding, and plastic

bags.

Like people, cats and dogs are susceptible to frostbite and

hyperthermia.

Never leave your pet outside during a snowstorm.

Recovery

After a Winter Storm

To prevent injuries and possible death after a winter

storm, follow these tips:

Listen to authorities for information and instructions.

If heading outside, dress warmly. Wear layers of loose fitting,

lightweight, warm clothing. Remove layers to avoid

overheating, perspiration, and subsequently chill.

Keep the body replenished with fluids to prevent

dehydration. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

Watch for signs of hyperthermia and frostbite. Frostbite can

cause a loss of feeling and a white pale appearance in

fingers, toes, nose, or earlobes Hyperthermia is a condition

brought on when the body temperature drops to less than

95°. Symptoms of hyperthermia include uncontrollable

shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, frequent stumbling,

drowsiness and exhaustion.

If you go out to shovel snow, perform a few stretching

exercises to warm up your body. That will reduce your

chances of muscle injury.

Avoid overexertion, such as shoveling heavy snow, pushing a

car or walking in deep snow. The strain from the cold and the

labor may cause a heart attack.

Risk Assessment:

Use a generator or gasoline-powered machinery. ONLY

outdoors and away from windows to avoid carbon monoxide

poisoning.

Keep vents and flues free from debris,. Flying debris can

block ventilation lines and cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks. Slip and falls occur

frequently in winter weather, resulting in painful and

sometimes disabling injury.

Pet Safety:

Use caution when taking your pet outside. Snow-melting salt

can very painful to dogs’ feet and cause illness if ingested.