Winter Storms

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Winter storms are often accompanied by strong winds creating blizzard conditions with blinding wind-driven snow, severe drifting and dangerous wind chill. Extreme cold can either accompany the winter storm or is left in its wake. Prolonged exposure to cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia and become life-threatening. Accumulations of snow from heavy snow storms can collapse buildings and knock down trees and power lines. Homes and farms can be isolated for days and unprotected livestock lost. Ice storms, sleet and freezing rain can also cause many problems. Although everyone is potentially at risk during winter storms, the actual threat depends on your specific situation.

Winterize your home:

  • Insulate walls and attics.
  • Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
  • Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from inside.
  • Wrap pipes to keep pipes from freezing, and let faucets drip a little.
  • Have available some type of emergency heating source and a sufficient supply of fuel so you can keep at least one room in your house warm.
  • Maintain a supply of food that can be prepared without heating. Stock emergency water and cooking supplies.
  • Have candles and matches on hand in case of power outage.
  • Keep a battery operated radio and flashlight in working order and maintain a stock of extra batteries.
  • Prevent fire hazards due to overheating with coal, oil or wood burning stoves, fireplaces and furnaces. Have chimneys cleaned and inspected annually. Keep fire extinguishes on hand and professionally maintained.
  • Also winterize your barn, shed or any other structure that may provide shelter for livestock.

If at home or in a building: 
  • Stay indoors, dress warmly and conserve fuel.
  • If there is no heat, close off unneeded rooms and stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors. Cover windows at night.
  • Eat and drink. Food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat. Keep the body replenished with fluids to prevent dehydration.
  • Wear layers of loose-fitting, light-weight, warm clothing. Remove layers to avoid overheating, perspiration and subsequent chill.

When going outdoors: 
  • Dress warmly. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellant. Mittens are warmer than gloves because fingers generate warmth when they touch each other.
  • Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extremely cold air.
  • Avoid overexertion. Cold weather puts added strain on the heart. Unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack, a major cause of death during and after storms.
  • Keep dry. Watch for signs of dehydration, frostbite and/or hypothermia.

If caught in a storm without shelter: 
  • Prepare a lean-to, wind-break, or snow cave for wind protection.
  • Build a fire for heat and to attract attention.
  • Place rocks around the fire to absorb and reflect heat.
  • Do not eat snow. It will lower your body temperature. Melt it first. 

If a storm strikes while you are in a car or truck:
  • Be sure you have a survival kit before leaving home. The kit should include items which would allow you to survive 12 - 24 hours without benefit of a car heater. Suggestions include: 
    • One sleeping bag or two or more blankets for every person in the vehicle
    • Three pound coffee can for heating water
    • Matches and candles (a blanket over your head, body head and a single candle can prevent freezing)
    • Flashlight and extra batteries
    • Extra winter clothing: cap, mittens, heavy socks
    • High energy foods such as candy, nuts, raisins, sugar cubes, packaged condensed soups and hot chocolate, bouillon cubes; no perishables 
    • Shovel with a flat blade; use caution as overexertion is not advisable in a survival situation 
    • Small sack of sand or kitty litter for traction
    • Basic tool kit including pliers, screwdrivers, adjustable wrench, tape and wire 
    • Paper towels or toilet tissue for their designed purpose as well as for fire starter
    • Axe or saw for cutting wood for fire or branches to place under stuck tires for traction
    • Tow chain or strap; a come-along is also handy to recover your own vehicle
    • Wire and rope have a multitude of uses including auto repair
    • Starter fluid, extra oil, gas line deicer and battery booster cables
    • Signaling devices
  • Stay in your vehicle unless assistance is visible within 100 yards. Disorientation occurs quickly in wind-driven snow and cold.
  • Display a trouble sign. Hang a brightly colored cloth on the antenna, turn on the dome light at night when running the engine, raise the hood after snow stops falling.
  • Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat. Open the window a little for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked.
  • Exercise from time to time by vigorously moving arms, legs, fingers, and toes to keep blood circulating and to keep warm.
  • In extreme cold use road maps, seat covers, floor mats, newspapers or extra clothing for covering – anything to provide additional insulation and warmth.

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