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________________ The INDEPENDENT, January 1,1997 Page £
Preparation is best way to stay safe during winter storm hazards
This
his is one o f a series
senes of articles
prepared by the Columbia Coun
ty Office of Emergency Manage
m ent
One of the most common
types of disaster that affects
our local area is a winter
storm in the form of freezing
rain, sleet, ice and snow. The
first line of protection is to be
aware of weather conditions
in your area. By observing
storm warnings, adequate
preparation can be made to
lessen the impact of haz
ardous weather conditions.
Learn and understand weath
er forecasting terms com
monly used in our area.
A winter storm could iso
late you in your home for sev
eral days. Be prepared to be
without electricity and con
ventional forms of heating
and cooking. Keep an ade
quate supply of heating fuel
on hand and use it sparingly.
Your regular supplies may be
curtailed by storm conditions.
If necessary, conserve fuel by
temporarily closing off un
used rooms or by keeping the
house cooler than usual.
Common examples of emer
gency heating equipment are
camp
stoves,
kerosene
heaters, or woodstoves/fire-
n la c e s
K PPn
in
places. Keep in mind that
there is danger of house-fire if
emergency equipment is not
used properly.
Things to keep on hand in
clude simple hand tools and
equipment needed to light a
fire; flashlights & batteries, or
a supply of candles or
lanterns to provide light in
case of power failure; and an
emergency supply of foods
that do not require refrigera
tion or cooking. Also stock an
emergency supply of water.
Keep calm if you get in
trouble:
If your car breaks down
during a storm, or if you be
come stalled or lost, don’t
panic. Think the problem
through, decide what is the
safest and best thing to do,
and then do it slowly and
carefully. If a storm traps you
on the road, pull off the road,
stay calm and remain in your
car, where rescuers are most
likely to find you. Turn your di
rectional lights or emergency
flashers on, raise the hood of
the car, or hang a cloth from
the radio aerial or a car win
dow. Then stay in your car
and wait for help to arrive.
Don’t try to walk through a
blizzard to safety.
Don’t waste gas by running
th e ho a )n r
the heater continuously. Be
aware of the danger of carbon
monoxide poisoning. Open a
window for ventilation and pe
riodically clear away snow
from the exhaust pipe.
Exercise to maintain body
heat. Move arms and legs
vigorously and move around
within the car. Never let
everyone in the car sleep at
the same time. At night turn
the dome light on so work
crews may spot you.
Over-exertion:
Stay indoors during storms
and cold snaps unless [you
are] in peak physical condi
tion. If you must venture out
side, avoid over-exertion.
Cold weather puts an extra
strain on the heart. If you add
unaccustomed exercise, such
as shoveling snow or pushing
a car, you may risk heart at
tack or stroke.
Dress to fit the weather:
Cover your mouth to pro
tect your lungs from extreme
ly cold air. Thin layers of
loose-fitting clothing trap
body heat while permitting air
to circulate. Layers can be re
moved to prevent perspiring
and subsequent chill. Outer
clothing should be tightly wo
ven, water repellant, and
hooded. Mittens, snug at the
wrist, are better than fingered
gloves.
Remember
that
trapped,
insulating air,
warmed by body heat, is the
best protection against cold,
WEATHER FORECASTING TERMS
• W inter Storm Watch: severe winter weather conditions may
affect your area. Freezing rain, sleet, or heavy snow may occur
either separately or in combination thereof.
• W inter Storm Warning: severe winter weather conditions are
imminent.
High Wind Watch: sustained winds of at least 40 mph, or
gusts of at least 50 mph or greater, are expected to last for at
least one hour. (In some areas this means strong, gusty winds
occurring in shorter time periods.)
Travelers’ Advisories: issued to indicate that falling snow,
drifting snow, freezing rain, sleet, or strong winds may make dri
ving difficult.
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