Preparation is the key to winter storm survival
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[November 18, 2013]
Despite relatively mild weather
from last December through March, nine winter storms affected
Illinois. This included a spring snowstorm on March 24 that produced
record amounts of snow, greater than 18 inches deep, in parts of
central Illinois.
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"Now is the time of the year to prepare for the impacts of winter
storms," said Chris Miller, warning coordination meteorologist with
the National Weather Service in Lincoln. "Snow has already made a
visit to central Illinois, which caught several motorists off guard.
Waiting to prepare your home or vehicle until a day or two before
the storm is too late."
To help the people of Illinois become more aware of how to be
prepared for winter and the cold weather, the NWS and the Illinois
Emergency Management Agency declared Nov. 17-23 as Illinois Winter
Weather Preparedness Week.
"Check the latest weather conditions, forecasts and road
condition reports for the entire route you plan to travel. It is
also a good idea to let someone else know about your travel plans
and routes in case you become stranded or delayed," Miller said.
"Recent snowstorms which impacted central and southeast Illinois
the past few years have really underscored the importance of having
alternate heating sources for your home and a winter storm survival
kit in your vehicle," he said. "I have spoken to many people who
were caught in storms, wishing they would have had some items to
help them while they were without power at home or stranded on the
side of the road."
There are inexpensive things that
people can buy to make sure that they travel safely during the
winter. It is important to have a winter storm survival kit in each
vehicle. The items in this kit will help in the event that you are
stranded — even on a short trip — or if you are waiting for a tow
truck. Suggested items for this kit include:
-
Cellphone and
charger
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Blankets and extra
clothing
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First-aid kit
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Flashlight and
extra batteries
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Booster cables and
a tow rope with looped ends (not hooks)
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A basic tool kit,
windshield scraper and brush
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A small shovel and
sack of sand or cat litter
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A large empty can
with a cover and tissues
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Water and high-calorie, nonperishable
food
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Other things people can do to get through the winter weather
season safely include:
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Slow down when
driving on snow- or ice-covered roadways, particularly on
bridges, overpasses and highway ramps. In Illinois, snow-
and ice-covered roads result in an average of 29,260 vehicle
crashes each year. These accidents also produce an average of
4,454 injuries and 51 fatalities annually. In addition, make
sure you give snowplows plenty of clearance on the road.
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Have an
alternate heating source. If you have an alternate heating
source, use it safely with proper ventilation to avoid carbon
monoxide poisoning. Never bring an outdoor grill into your home
for cooking or heating purposes
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Dress for the
cold. If you spend time outdoors — whether it is for work or
recreation — dress appropriately and stay dry. If you become
wet, even from perspiration, you will become cold quicker. Cover
as much skin as possible to avoid frostbite.
-
Be aware of the
signs of hypothermia. Hypothermia is a deadly condition when
the body’s temperature drops to 93 degrees or lower. Other signs
include uncontrollable shivering, disorientation, slurred speech
and drowsiness. Get the victim IMMEDIATE medical attention. If
medical care is not available, warm the core of the body first
and NOT the extremities. Warming the extremities first, such as
the hands and feet, can lead to heart failure.
-
Plan your time outdoors accordingly.
People have died from exposure to the cold by getting lost
or caught in a storm while hunting and hiking. Be aware of the
forecast and limit your time spent outdoors in the cold.
Frostbite can develop within one to two hours when temperatures
are in the 30s, or as quickly as 10 to 30 minutes when readings
are around zero or colder.
For more information about being adequately prepared for winter
weather conditions, visit the NWS Lincoln "Winter Weather
Preparedness" Web page at:
http://www.weather.gov/Lincoln/?n=winter-prep.
[Text from National Weather Service,
Lincoln office] |