Winter Storms




Winter Storm/Blizzard Preparedness and Safety

Do you know what to do if you are trapped in the middle of a blizzard?

If a Winter Storm Watch has been issued for your area, that means that hazardous winter weather conditions (such as snow greater than 6 inches in 24 hours, winds gusting over 35 mph, or visibilities less 1/4 mile) are expected in the next 12 to 36 hours. You should prepare for the worst now:

  • AT HOME OR WORK MAKE SURE YOU HAVE:
  1. a working flashlight
  2. battery powered NOAA weather radio , radio, or TV
  3. extra food, water, medicine, and baby items
  4. first aid supplies
  5. heating fuel (propane, kerosene, fuel oil, etc...)
  6. emergency heating source
  7. fire extinguisher and smoke detector
  • IN CARS AND TRUCKS:
  1. fully check and winterize your vehicle
  2. keep your gas tank near full
  3. try not to travel alone
  4. let a friend or relative know your timetable for travel
  5. carry a WINTER STORM SURVIVAL KIT which contains:
    1. blankets/sleeping bags
    2. flashlight with extra batteries
    3. knife
    4. high calorie, non-perishable food
    5. a smaller can and water-proof matches to melt snow for drinking water
    6. sand or cat litter
    7. shovel
    8. windshield scraper
    9. tool kit
    10. tow rope
    11. jumper cables
    12. water container
    13. compass
    14. road maps
  • ON THE FARM:
  • Move animals to sheltered areas
  • Haul extra feed to nearby feeding areas
  • Have a water supply available (most animal deaths in winter storms are from dehydration)

 

If a Winter Storm Warning has been issued for your area, that means that hazardous winter weather conditions (such as snow greater than 6 inches in 24 hours, winds gusting over 35 mph, or visibilities less 1/4 mile) are expected within the next 12 hours or are already occurring.

  • IF CAUGHT OUTSIDE:
  • Find a dry shelter. Cover all exposed parts of the body.
  • If shelter is not available:
    • Prepare a lean-to, wind break, or snow-cave for protection from the wind.
    • Build a fire for heat and to attract attention. Place rocks around the fire to absorb and reflect heat.
    • Do not eat snow. It will lower your body temperature. Melt it first.
  • IF STRANDED IN A CAR OR TRUCK:
  • Stay in your car or truck!
  • Run the motor about ten minutes each hour. Open the windows a little for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked.
  • Make yourself visible to rescuers:
    • Turn on the dome light at night when running the engine
    • Tie a colored cloth to your antenna or door
    • Raise the hood after the snow stops falling
  • Exercise to keep blood circulating and to keep warm
  • AT HOME OR IN A BUILDING:
  • Stay inside!
  • If there is no heat:
    • Close off unneeded rooms
    • Stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors
    • Cover windows at night
    • Eat and drink. Food provides the body with energy and heat. Fluids prevent dehydration.

Wear layers of loose-fitting, light-weight, warm clothing

  


Fox News 
Ollie North: Senator Obama's Excellent Adventure The Obama machine's world tour has left many perplexed
Alireza Jafarzadeh: IRGC Revamps To Counter Enemy Within The ayatollahs continue to enrich uranium, despite the high-profile meeting in Geneva between Tehran's top nuclear negotiator and senior western diplomats. They are banking their regime's survival on nuclear capability.
Junk Science: Is T. Boone 'Swiftboating' America? Former backer of smear campaign against John Kerry now adored by Democrats -- for trying to hoodwink the rest of us about his hot-air natural-gas plan.
Susan Estrich: Media Love of Obama Doesn't Equal Victory can’t help but think of that story as I watch some of our nation’s finest — or at least our most famous — political reporters fawning all over Barack Obama like entertainment reporters covering a movie star. Is this good for them? Or for him?
Mike Baker: All The Columns That's Fit to Print It’s a story that will surprise and disappoint all those citizens who believe in the objectivity and fairness of The New York Times.
Entertainment News 
X-Files briefing for beginners After six years and one lengthy lawsuit, fans of one of the greatest sci-fi television shows in history can finally rejoice as the show's long-awaited second movie, "X-Files: I Want To Believe," hits the big screen on Friday.
Jackie Collins: Author talks to Nonpareil before her visit Friday Men have approached Jackie Collins listing their trysts and telling her they'd make great characters for a book. She tells them she prefers to use her imagination. The late director Louis Malle didn't call her a "raunchy moralist" for no reason.
Westfair to feature new band Lady Antebellum may not be a household name, but it will be. Named the Top New Group at the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards, the trio has opened for major country stars. Martina McBride told one audience on their tour together, "You can say you saw them when."
Concert Review: Willie Nelson's mellow show a real crowd pleaser There are few musicians in this world that can present such a mellow show and yet keep the audience thirsty for more after two hours.
farmcentre.com