Winter Storm Preparedness

We're not strangers to winter storms. In a normal winter the Northeast is blasted by multiple small, moderate, and large storms per season. Most of the time the wind, snow, and ice from these weather systems are just an inconvenience, given the superior snow removal techniques and crews working throughout New York and New England.

However, if caught unprepared, an inconveniencing winter storm could turn deadly. In an average winter nationally, between four and five hundred people lose their lives due to the combined effects of cold and storms. The best way to endure or enjoy what winter has to offer is to always be prepared.

At Home:

Home is the best place to be when old man winter starts dumping snow and ice. However, in heavy wet snowfalls or in ice storms, power failures frequently occur. To prepare for prolonged power outages stock plenty of canned, non-perishable foods, bottled water for drinking, washing, cleaning-up, or flushing the toilets, for those of you on private wells. Have a radio with extra batteries handy to keep up to date on the latest weather information. Then, sit back and watch the show. If you have to shovel, don't exert yourself. Shovel a little bit then take a rest. A large percentage of winter related fatalities are due to heart attacks caused by shoveling heavy snow.

In A Car:

Traveling in winter storms is rather dangerous, and is not recommended unless it's an emergency. 70% of all winter storm related fatalities occur due to automobile accidents. In the car you should stock a winter weather survival kit, including blankets, flashlights, extra batteries, a radio, first aid kit, extra clothing, a shovel, sand or cat litter, windshield scraper, tow rope, and jumper cables and a cell phone if you have one. Should you become disabled and stranded in a winter storm the best course of action is to stay with your vehicle. You can become disoriented very quickly in a wind driven snowstorm. Make yourself visible to rescuers by turning on the dome lights and tying a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or the door. Run your engine about ten minutes per hour for heat. Open a window a crack for ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning when running the engine. Make sure you clear the

exhaust pipe if it's blocked by snow or ice. If you are stranded for a long time, exercise a bit to keep the blood flowing and your body warm.

Outside:

Obviously during severe winter storms you don't want to be outside for long periods of time. However, if you are caught outside with no hope of finding traditional shelter, search for a cave, or even a depressed area in the ground for some protection from the wind. If deep enough snow is available, build a snow cave for protection. Snow is a very effective insulator and thus will help to keep you warm. If possible, build a fire, although in a raging snow storm, that will likely be difficult. For hydration, don't eat snow, melt it first. Eating snow will lower your body temperature quite rapidly leading to hypothermia. Approximately 25% of all winter weather fatalities occur in people caught out in a storm.