A Message from The Winnebago County Citizen Corps Council November Focus: Extreme Winter Weather

Back to Severe Weather
Posted: 7:32 PM Oct 28, 2011 A Message from The Winnebago County Citizen Corps Council November Focus: Extreme Winter Weather Extreme winter weather is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people in the United States each year, primarily due to vehicle crashes, fires from improper use of heaters, overexertion, and exposure. Reporter: From Citizen Corps

Font Size:

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- Extreme winter weather is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people in the United States each year, primarily due to vehicle crashes, fires from improper use of heaters, overexertion, and exposure.

Familiarize yourself with the following terms to stay alert and prepared
-Wind Chill Advisory - dangerous wind chills of 15 below to 24 below zero are expected. 
-Wind Chill Warning - potentially life threatening wind chills of 25 below zero or colder are expected. 
-Frost Advisory - damaging frost is expected during the growing season. 
-Freeze Warning - below freezing temperatures are expected during the growing season. 
-Ice Storm Warning - dangerous accumulations of ice will occur and are expected to result in hazardous travel, extended power outages, and damage to trees. 
-Heavy Snow Warning - snow accumulations of six inches or greater, which will result in hazardous travel conditions. 
-Winter Weather Advisory - cold, ice, and/or snow (two to five inches) are expected. 
-Winter Storm Watch - severe winter weather, such as heavy snow or ice, is possible within the next day or two. 
-Winter Storm Warning - severe ice and/or snow (six inches or more) have begun or are about to begin. 
-Blizzard Warning - heavy snow and strong winds will produce a blinding snow, near zero visibility, deep drifts, and life-threatening travel conditions. 

Winter storm tips for home
-Make sure your Emergency Kit is stocked and winter storm ready. 
-Use sand to improve traction and apply products that melt ice on walkways. 
-Make sure you have sufficient heating fuel. Regular fuel sources may be cut off. 
-Keep emergency heating equipment and fuel so you can keep at least one room of your house warm enough to be livable. 
-Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure your family knows how to use them. 
-Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply. Insulate walls, attics, doors, and windows. 
-Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply. Insulate walls, attics, doors, and windows. 
-Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic. 
-Do not overexert yourself or work outside for extended periods of time. 

Winter storm tips for traveling
-Make sure your car is in good operating condition before using it in extreme cold. 
-Keep condensation (water) out of your gas tank by keeping the tank as full as possible. 
-Maintain a storm kit in your car with such items as a cell phone and charger; blankets; extra clothing; jumper cables; a flashlight; extra batteries; high-calorie, non-perishable food; and matches or a lighter. 
-Plan your trip carefully. If cold, snowy, or icy conditions exceed your ability or your car's ability, don't travel. If you must travel be cautious. 
-Tell someone about your travel plans. 
-Never leave the motor running in a vehicle parked in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage. 

Click here to post a comment.

More Stories

FAMILY DISASTER PLAN
Families should be prepared for all hazards that could affect their area. NOAA’s National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the American Red Cross urge every 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? Disaster 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, and American Red Cross chapter. Find out what type 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 outside 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 duffle bags. Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep a smaller disaster supplies kit in the trunk of your car.

A DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT SHOULD INCLUDE: A 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won’t spoil one change of clothing and footwear per person one blanket or sleeping bag per person a first aid kit, including prescription medicines emergency tools, including a battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and a portable radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries an extra set of car keys and a credit card or cash special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.

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 two times each year. Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer’s instructions. Replace stored water and food every 6 months. Contact your local National Weather Service office, American Red Cross chapter, or local office of emergency management for a copy of “Your Family Disaster Plan” (L-191/ARC4466).