Storm Planning
Staying Safe in Winter Weather
Remember
3-3-3
The average adult can only go:
- 3-weeks without food
- 3-days without water
- 3-hours exposed to the cold or severe elements
Designing
Your Storm Plan
- Have extra blankets on hand at home, and in vehicles
- Ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves, hat, and water-resistant boots
- Have a communication plan in the event of a sudden storm. Carry important contact numbers with you and distribute to family, friends and caregivers
Assemble
a Disaster Supplies Kit Containing:
• First aid kit and essential medications
• Battery-powered NOAA Weather radio, flashlight, and extra batteries
• Canned food and can opener
• Bottled water (at least one gallon of water per person, per
day, to last at least 3 days)
• Extra warm clothing, including boots, mittens, and a hat
• Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit for your car, too
• Have your car winterized before winter storm season
Stay
Tuned for Storm Warnings . . .• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio and your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information
Know
What Winter Storm WATCHES AND WARNINGS Mean
• A winter storm WATCH means a winter storm
is possible in your area
• A winter storm WARNING means
a winter storm is headed for your area
• A blizzard WARNING means strong winds, blinding
wind-driven snow, and dangerous wind chill are expected. Seek
shelter immediately!
When
a Winter Storm WATCH is Issued• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio, and TV stations, or cable TV such as The Weather Channel for further updates
• Be alert to changing weather conditions
• Avoid unnecessary travel
When
a Winter Storm WARNING is Issued
• Stay indoors during the storm
• If you must go outside, several layers of lightweight clothing
will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat
• Gloves (or mittens) and a hat will prevent loss of body heat
• Cover your mouth to protect your lungs
• Understand the hazards of wind chill, which combines the cooling
effect of wind and cold temperatures on exposed skin
• As the wind increases, heat is carried away from a person's
body at an accelerated rated, driving down the body temperature
• Walk carefully on snowy, icy, sidewalks
• After the storm, if you shovel snow, be extremely careful. It
is physically strenuous work, so take frequent breaks and avoid overexcertion
. . .
Avoid
traveling by car in a storm, but if you must...• Carry a Disaster Supplies Kit in the trunk
• Keep your car's gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing
• Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route
If
You Do Get Stuck
• Stay with your car. Do not try to walk to safety
• Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna
for rescuers to see
• Start the car and use the heater for about 10 minutes every
hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won't back up in the car
• Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so that
you can be seen
• As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs to keep blood circulating
and to stay warm
• Keep one window away from the blowing wind slightly open to
let in air
Get
Additional Information from the Red Cross
• "Safe Steps for Winter Weather" (ARC 5056)
• "Surviving the Cold" 16-minute video (Available for
a nominal fee) (321709)
• "Your Family Disaster Plan"
• "Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit" (ARC 4463)
Materials
for Children
• "Be Ready 1-2-3" involve puppets who give important
safety information to children ages 3-8 about residential fire safety,
winter storms, and earthquakes
• "Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book" (PDF File) (ARC
2200, English, or Spanish) for use by children 3-10
• "Adventures of the Disaster Dudes" (ARC 5024) video
and Presenter's Guide for use by an adult with children in grades 4-6