Winter Weather Awareness
How to Prepare for a Winter Storm
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has developed the following guide: "How to Prepare for a Winter Storm". The guide includes information on the following:
- Knowing your risk
- Frequency of events by county
- Protecting yourself before, during, and after a winter storm
- Weather terms
- Assembling emergency supplies
- Protecting your home
- Building an emergency supply kit for your car
- Travel advice
- Cold weather dangers
Preparedness and Precautions
An extensive document providing information about winter weather to include: Taking Steps, Before a Storm, Prepare Your Home for Winter Weather, Prepare Your Car for Winter Weather, Winter Weather Checklists, During a Storm, Indoor Safety, Outdoor Safety, Stay Safe and Healthy, Hypothermia, and Frostbite. Extreme Cold: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety.
Heat Your Home Safely During Winter Weather
Generator Safety Tips
Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes
What You Need to Know When the Power Goes Out Unexpectedly
Power Outage Checklist
Take the Extreme Cold Quiz
Whether you're new to North Dakota or have lived here all your life, try the "Extreme Cold Quiz"!
Why talk about winter weather?
Each year, dozens of Americans die due to exposure to cold. Add to that number, vehicle accidents and fatalities, fires due to dangerous use of heaters and other winter weather fatalities and you have a significant threat.
Threats, such as hypothermia and frostbite, can lead to loss of fingers and toes or cause permanent kidney, pancreas and liver injury and even death. You must prepare properly to avoid these extreme dangers. You also need to know what to do if you see symptoms of these threats.
A major winter storm can last for several days and be accompanied by high winds, freezing rain or sleet, heavy snowfall and cold temperatures.
People can become trapped at home or in a car, without utilities or other assistance.
Attempting to walk for help in a winter storm can be a deadly decision.
The aftermath of a winter storm can have an impact on a community or region for days, weeks or even months.
Extremely cold temperatures, heavy snow and even flooding can cause hazardous conditions.
On Christmas Eve, 2004, a major blizzard left over 400,000 people in Ohio without power. Half of those remained without power for over a week because of heavy, wet snow accumulations of nearly 2 feet. Then, only two weeks later, an ice storm caused nearly 80% power outage in nine counties. These weather conditions are not unique to Ohio. In 2005, Dickinson received a very heavy snowfall in early October causing trees filled with green leaves to succumb to the weight of the very wet snow. Power outages lasted for several days for many area residents. The loss of so many trees was devastating. Although there were no lives lost, such a storm occurring when the temperatures drop to dangerous levels becomes deadly if not properly prepared.
By planning now with a Winter Storm Survival Kit for your home and your car, you can avoid many risks associated with winter.
Do you know what the "weather meteorologist" is talking about?
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- Warnings and Advisories
- Warning and Advisory Type