Weather Emergencies

Snow/Blizzard/Cold

  • If indoors during event
    • Follow public instructions regarding driving, closures, weather changes and safety concerns
    • Keep gas tank in vehicles at least half full before event (1-2 days before)
    • Maintain adequate, easy to prepare food and water storage in your home (up to 3 days with a complete go-kit)
    • To preserve heat in the home:
      • Close off rooms/areas not being used
      • Put towels under doorways to seal off cracks
      • Cover windows at night
    • Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and warm clothing
  • If outdoors during event
    • Find dry and secure shelter with food/water/necessities as fast as possible
    • Cover all exposed body parts
  • If stranded in a vehicle
    • Make use of any device (cell phone, tablet) that you have to contact emergency help and your family
    • Make your vehicle as visible as possible
    • Stay in the vehicle
    • Run the vehicle for about 10 minutes each hour with the windows slightly open (make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked/clogged, if it is, unblock/unclog it)
    • Exercise/move inside the vehicle as much as possible to keep your blood flowing and to keep warm

Extreme Heat

  • Be prepared
    • Install central air conditioning or window air conditioners
    • Use solar curtains or window reflectors to block sun rays and heat
    • Weather-strip doors and windows
    • Install attic ventilator or attic fan to regulate and clear out hot air
    • Chill water and/or sports drinks
  • During extreme heat warning
    • Find air conditioning or shade if outside
    • Avoid strenuous activities
    • Drink plenty of fluids
    • Wear light clothing
    • Never leave people or pets in a closed car
  • Heat-related illness
    • Heat cramps
      • Muscle pains or spasms in the stomach, arms or legs
      • Go to cooler location, remove excess clothing, take sips of cool sports drinks
      • If cramps last longer than 1 hour, seek medical attention
    • Heat exhaustion
      • Heaving sweating, paleness, weakness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fainting
      • Go to air-conditioned place and lie down, loosen or remove clothing, take cool bath, take sips of cool sports drinks
      • If symptoms get worse or last longer than 1 hour, seek medical attention
    • Heat stroke
      • Extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees) taken orally; red, hot, dry skin with no sweat; rapid, strong pulse; dizziness, confusion or unconsciousness
      • Call 911 or get to hospital immediately. Cool down however possible until medical help arrives

Power Outage

  • Be prepared
  • Take inventory of items that rely on electricity
  • Have batteries, flashlights, lanterns, portable charger ready for use
  • Stock up on water and nonperishable food that does not need to be cooked or heated
  • Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup on every floor of your home
  • Talk to your doctor about a power outage plan for medical devices that need electricity or refrigeration
  • For homes with wells, prepare large jugs of water or fill bathtub to have water on hand for refilling toilet tank
  • For homes with generators, keep extra fuel and store away from the house
  • When power goes out
  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed
    • Refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours
    • Freezer will keep temperature for about 48 hours
  • Turn off or disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid possible power surge or spike
  • During cold weather, dress in layers and use sleeping bags or blankets to stay warm.  For extreme cold temperatures and lengthy power outages, seek warm shelter
  • During hot weather, dress in light clothing and keep hydrated.  For extreme heat and lengthy power outages, seek air conditioning
  • Homes with septic systems and wells
    • Do not run water to prevent backup into home and damage to well pump
    • Only flush toilets if you have water to replenish the tank
    • You may continue using your water if you have a generator
  • Generator use
    • Keep outside with plenty of room for ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
    • Ensure all electrical devices are turned off before they are connected to generator
    • Once generator is running, switch devices on one by one
    • Shut them down again before switching back to your utility service
  • When power returns
    • Inspect your refrigerator and freezer and discard food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for 2 or more hours, and/or that appears and smells differently
    • Discard any medication stored in your refrigerator if power was out for more than 1 day and seek new supply

Flood

  • If indoors during event
    • Be prepared to evacuate with go-kit, communication plan, evacuation plan, and have preparedness plan ready and easily accessible
    • Evacuate if officials advise to. Never stay in your home or in place if you can evacuate
    • If there is time, move valuable and easily contaminated objects to higher ground, especially if in basement or on ground floor
  • If outdoors during event
    • Climb to highest ground
    • Do not walk/drive/bike in flood water (it is highly contaminated and full of debris, both of which are extremely dangerous)
    • If vehicle stalls, abandon it and climb to highest ground