Prepare! Don't Let a Winter Storm Take You by Surprise (2024)

FAQs

Prepare! Don't Let a Winter Storm Take You by Surprise? ›

Have a 3-day supply of water and food for each person in the household as well as enough food and water for all pets. Make sure all prescriptions are filled and your Emergency Supply Kit has all the necessary items. Have flashlights for every family member, along with plenty of extra batteries.

Have a 3-day supply of water and food for each person in the household as well as enough food and water for all pets. Make sure all prescriptions are filled and your Emergency Supply Kit has all the necessary items. Have flashlights for every family member, along with plenty of extra batteries.

Winter storms are formed when moist air rises up into the atmosphere, creating low pressure near the ground and clouds up in the air. The air can also be pushed upwards by hills or large mountains.

After the Storm

Make sure gutters are cleared so that snow can melt away easier. Remove snow and ice from window seals and doors. Remove snow and debris from an air and exhaust vents. Check of neighbors to see if they are all right or need assistance.

+At Home and Work

In either place, you should have available: Flashlight and extra batteries. Battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and portable radio to receive emergency information. Extra food and water such as dried fruit, nuts, granola bars and other food requiring no cooking or refrigeration.

Always remember to wear light, dry, loose fitting layers, mittens or gloves (mittens are warmer than gloves) and a hat to prevent the loss of body heat. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from frigid air. Exposure to cold can cause frostbite and life-threatening hypothermia.

Get your home ready

Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows. Insulate walls and attic. Install storm or thermal-pane windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside. Repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on your home or other structure during a storm.

Pack work boots, gloves, a hand warmer, blankets and thick clothes. Fill a small plastic bin with a flashlight, batteries and a first aid kit. Store a 3-day supply of water and ready-to-eat, non-perishable food for each person.

Why should you stay inside during a blizzard? ›

Cold temperatures feel even colder because of the strong winds and wind chill effect. This limits the amount of time that you can be outside before health risks like hypothermia and frostbite become a reality. Other blizzard dangers are: Roofs collapsing from the weight of the snow.

The winter of 1880–1881 is widely considered the most severe winter ever known in many parts of the United States. The initial blizzard in October 1880 brought snowfalls so deep that two-story homes experienced accumulations, as opposed to drifts, up to their second-floor windows.

Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing instead of a single heavy layer. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear a hat, mittens (not gloves) and sturdy waterproof boots to protect your extremities. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

Winter Storm Preparedness Tips:

Have a full tank of gas or your car fully charged and carry an emergency pack that includes a blanket, water, and food. If using a generator, keep it outside of your home. Check in with family, friends and neighbors who might need help.

Keep Your Pipes Working

Leave your faucets dripping if the temps drop below freezing, and open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate. If you think you'll lose heat for several days, drain your pipes to prevent them from bursting.