As winter storm season hits, it pays to know how to prepare for the weather. Sure, snow and ice are picturesque, but they can be treacherous to drive in. Any kind of storm makes traveling difficult—and sometimes downright dangerous. A serious storm might even shut things down, and while a snow day can be fun, being snowed in for any length of time can be challenging.
Know Your Terms
First off, it’s important to understand winter storm vocabulary, so you know what you’re dealing with.
A Winter Weather Advisory means that weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. Weather Advisories require caution, but are not generally life-threatening.
A Winter Storm Outlook means that storm conditions are possible in the next two to five days. Stay tuned to local media for updates.
A Winter Storm Watch means that winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. Review your winter storm plans and stay informed about weather conditions.
Home Preparedness
Dealing with winter weather requires care and planning. The American Red Cross recommends collecting supplies such as food, water and medicine, before a storm. Stormy weather conditions may lead to store closings and make it unsafe to travel. The American Red Cross advises organizing supplies into a Go-Kit and a Stay-at-Home Kit.
The Go-Kit contains the essentials you will need if you have to seek shelter elsewhere—that means at least three days of supplies you can carry with you. These include critical backup batteries and chargers for your devices (cell phone, CPAP, wheelchair, etc.), as well as warm clothing, food, water, and medicine.
The Stay-at-Home Kit ideally contains at least two weeks of supplies.
Ensure you have enough warm clothing, as well as blankets, for everyone in your household. Set aside at least one gallon of drinking water per person per day. List your medications, with dosages, on a small card to carry with you, as well as in the note app on your phone. Ideally, stockpile one month’s supply of necessary medications and medical supplies. Make sure personal, financial, and medical records are stored in a safe place, with electronic copies securely backed up on a hard drive or flash drive. It is also very useful to have a battery-powered or crank-powered emergency radio.
Have a snow shovel on hand for snow removal, and a supply of ice-melting products for de-icing your walkways. Dress for the weather before going outside. Your nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes are most at risk for frostbite, so keep them covered. Scarves are great for protecting your face and mouth.
Keeping water pipes from freezing during cold weather is an important concern. Since water expands when it freezes, water pipes could be seriously damaged if they freeze. Shut off any outdoor faucets before the weather goes below freezing, and unhook any hoses.
Make sure water pipes in uninsulated spaces such as basements and crawl spaces are covered with insulation. Keeping your home thermostat at at least 50º Farenheit, opening the cupboard doors under sinks to allow warmer air to flow around the pipes, and letting the faucets drip slightly can all help keep the pipes from freezing.
If you are planning a winter getaway or family vacation, consider shutting off the main water valve and draining the pipes completely, as this will help keep the pipes from freezing while you are gone.
When a storm hits and you’re at home, here are some ways to be prepared.
Staying warm is paramount. Whatever your heat source is, make sure it is properly ventilated to avoid carbon monoxide build up. Check that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. If you have a gas furnace, check that the outdoor vents flow free, and that both your gas meter and vents aren’t covered in snow. If you’re in the middle of a blizzard or an ice storm, wait until it is safe to go outside to check your vents and brush off your meter. If your gas furnace vents out the roof, you may need to turn off the upstairs unit until the snow melts off your roof. If using a fireplace, woodstove, or space heater, make sure they are positioned at a safe distance from anything flammable, and again, are well ventilated.
If you lose your heat source because the power goes out, close off lesser used rooms to avoid wasting heat. Stuff the cracks under the doors with towels or rags to help insulate against the cold. Close your blinds or curtains to retain heat. Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. If you start to get too warm, remove a layer. Overheating will make you sweaty, which will then make you chilly.
Make sure to eat and drink. Food provides energy for the body to produce its own heat. Cold air is very dry, so staying hydrated is important. Drink plenty of water.
Have an exit strategy if your home becomes too cold. Is there a friend or neighbor who still has heat, or a public space you can retreat to? In Fairfield, the Public Library, the FACC, and the Well offer public space to keep warm in, during open hours.
On the Road
When traveling during the storm season, the National Weather Service recommends having a full tank of gas, a fully charged battery, and properly inflated tires. Make sure your phone is fully charged. Monitor local weather and news to be prepared. Always check the wind chill factor. Wind chill refers to how cold it feels, which could be significantly colder than the actual temperature. High winds cool everything down faster, which increases the risks of hypothermia and frostbite.
The local DOT will have weather travel updates on their website and Facebook page. You can also sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government.
Before starting your vehicle, make some noise and check for cats. Outdoor and feral cats often take shelter in parked cars during bad weather. Check underneath your car, bang on the hood, and honk the horn before starting the engine to encourage any potential feline squatters to vacate before the running engine has deadly consequences for the cats.
The National Weather Service also recommends keeping emergency supplies in your car in case of an accident or a weather-induced delay. Suggested supplies include a cell phone charger, flares, kitty litter or sand to provide traction on ice, a first aid kit, snacks and water bottles, extra coats and mittens, blankets, a snow shovel and brush, a spare tire, and jumper cables.
When driving under winter weather conditions, it is important to slow down. The roads may look fine, but there will be ice. Over 5,000 fatalities occur on the roadways every year due to weather conditions, so drive carefully.
If you are caught in a snowstorm or blizzard, and there is no longer any visibility, pull off to the side of the road and turn on the emergency blinkers. Turn off your lights and use your parking brake after you’ve stopped to avoid having another car mistakenly follow your taillights and hit you.
It is dangerously easy to get lost in a white out. It is much safer to stay in the car, which will hold in warmth and protect you from the cold and the elements. Temperatures can plummet during a storm, increasing the risk of hypothermia, frostbite, and other cold-related illnesses, so it is important to stay warm and protected. Wait until the weather clears to continue traveling. If your car becomes stuck, most car insurance companies have emergency roadside assistance that will send a tow truck out to you. If you’ve been in an accident, call the local police or 911.
Care of Your Pets
According to the American Veterinary Association, even if your pets are used to being outside, they should not be left outdoors during cold weather. Cats, dogs, and other animal companions are just as susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia as humans and need to be protected from the weather, too. Longer-haired and thick-coated dog breeds such as huskies are more cold-tolerant, and may even enjoy the snow, but no pet should be left outside for extended periods of time when the weather is below freezing. Their paw pads are particularly vulnerable to the cold, and should be checked regularly for ice pills forming on the fur between their toes, and for cold-weather injury. If your animal companion is amenable, winter socks or booties help protect their paw pads. Be sure to wipe down their legs and paws after they’ve been outside—not all de-icers are pet-safe, and some can be irritating or downright toxic.
Stay Alert
To stay informed on weather-related news, check your city website and Facebook page for winter storm recommendations; business, school, and office weather closings; and municipal ordinances for snow removal and parking requirements during and after a storm.
For more information, visit IowaDot.gov or Red Cross