When snow stops being nice and starts getting

When snow stops being nice, and starts getting real Donae Kohler A 4

what is a winter storm? “A winter storm is an event in which the dominant varieties of precipitation are formed that only occur at cold temperatures” ~ Wikipedia “A winter storm can range from a moderate snow over a few hours to blizzard conditions with blinding wind-driven snow that lasts several days. Some winter storms may be large enough to affect several states, while others may affect only a single community. Many winter storms are accompanied by low temperatures and heavy and/or blowing snow, which can severely reduce visibility. ” ~The Disaster Center

Terms To Know If a winter storm is coming to your town, these are terms that will come in handy to know. • Freezing Rain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees, and power lines. • Sleet Rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes moisture on roads to freeze and become slippery. • Winter Storm Watch A winter storm is possible in your area. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for more information. • Winter Storm Warning A winter storm is occurring or will soon occur in your area. • Blizzard Warning Sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 miles per hour or greater and considerable amounts of falling or blowing snow (reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile) are expected to prevail for a period of three hours or longer. • Frost/Freeze Warning Below freezing temperatures are expected. All terms were gathered from the FEMA website.

Numbers, Emails, & addresses to know Things can get a little hectic in a natural disaster and knowing the numbers of important people is a good idea. • • • 311 (757)-385 -3111) ~city info ~city services ~city news ~city events • 911 ~medical emergencies • ~fires ~reporting accidents, crimes in progress, or suspicious people/events • FEMA 1 -800 -621 -3362 News Channel 3 Front Desk- (757)-446 -1000 • News Room- (757)4461352 720 Boush Street Norfolk, Virginia • 23510 Wavy (757)-393 -1010 300 Wavy Street Portsmouth, Virginia 23704 Dominion Virginia Power 1 -866 -366 -4357 VDOT 1 -800 -367 -7623 road conditions- 511 Landscape Management Direct-(757)-385 -4461 Fax- (757)427 -1895 landscape@VBgov. com Office of Emergency Management (757)-385 -8466 mmarchba@vbgov. com Operations Management (757)-385 -1470

Before the storm When you know a winter storm is coming you should always prepare. Here are some things to do: • Prepare Family & Home • Prepare Car • Dress for the Weather

Prepare Family & Home Here are some things needed to be done before a storm. • • • Be ready for possible isolation in home Insulate the pipes, wills, & attics Keep fore extinguishers on hand (make sure everyone knows how to use them) Clean rain gutters Repair any leaks in roof Know how to shut off water valve (in case of bursting pipes) Get contractor to check structural ability of roof (see if roof sustains from heavy snow accumulation and/or water) Cut away any stray tree branches that could damage home Have plenty of candles and matches • • • Have furnace or fireplace inspected Check homeowners insurance, car insurance, ect. Check smoke & carbon monoxide detectors to see that they are working and have fresh batteries Be a good neighbor and check with relatives and neighbors who might need help Bring in all outside hoses Make sure you have everything on your supply list Make sure fireplace work properly Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows Install storm windows or cover windows in plastic

Prepare Car Just like your family and home, before a winter storm comes you have to prepare your car. Have a mechanic check the following: • Install good winter tires • Antifreeze levels(make sure they have adequate treads) (to avoid freezing) • Maintain at least half a tank of gas all • Battery & ignition systemthrough the winter season battery terminals should be clean) • Place emergency winter kit in car • Brakes(check for wear & fluid levels) • Windshield wiper equipment(replace any problems & maintain proper fluid levels) • Thermostat(ensure it works properly) • Oil(check for level and weight) • Lights & flashing hazard lights(check for serviceability) • Fuel & air filter(replace and keep water out of system) • Heater & defroster(ensure that it works properly) • Exhaust System(check for leaks, crimped pipes, & repaid or replace as necessary. )

Emergency Winter Kit Whether it’s the middle of winter or the beginning of summer, it’s always good to have an emergency kit in your car. • shovel • Windshield scrapers & small broom • flashlight • Battery powered radio • Extra batteries • water • Snack food • Matches • Booster cables • Florescent distress flag • Extra hats, mittens, & mittens • First aid kid with a pocket knife • Necessary medications • Blanket(s) • Tow chain or rope • Road salt & sand • Emergency flares

Dress for the Weather Throughout the year it best to dress for the weather ahead of you. It’s even more crucial during winter to stay warm and dress correctly. • • Wear several layers~loose fitting, light weight, and warm ~outer garments should be tightly woven & water repelant. Wear mittens, not gloves~mittens are warmer Wear a hat Cover mouth with a scarf~protects lungs Wear at least two pairs of socks Have multiple pairs of sneakers and winter boots Rain boots~to walk through snow, water, ect.

Supplies With any type of disaster you need to have supplies. Here is some basic supplies needed • Rock salt • Sand • Snow shovels • Dry firewood • Flashlights • Batteries • Candles • • • Matches • Fire extinguishers • • Paper plates • • Newspaper • Plastic silverware • Any needed things for pet (i. e. food, water, leash, ect. ) Plenty of extra water Extra blankets & sleeping bags Plastic cups Extra clothes for E V E R Y O N E Plastic bags & garbage bags First aid kit Manual can opener Ready-to-eat canned meat, fruits, and vegetables. Toilet paper Personal hygiene products (i. e. toothpaste, shampoo, feminine supplies, ect. ) Hats, gloves, scarves, jackets, ect. Medication (prescription & non-prescription) Formula, diapers, powered milk, ect. for baby (if needed) Trash cans The following should be kept in a water proof bag or box: • Family records • Bank account & credit card numbers • Important telephone numbers • Inventory of valuable household goods • Passports • Social security cards • Immunization records • Will • Insurance policy • Contracts • Deeds • Stocks & bonds

During the storm • Being outside • Driving • Watch Out’s & Do Not’s

Being Outside During a winter storm the BEST thing to do is to stay inside. However, if you MUST go outside there are some VERY IMPORTANT tips to follow. • Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow • Cover your mouth • Keep dry • Watch for signs of frostbite & hypothermia • Wear layered clothing, mittens or gloves, and a hat • Stretch before going outside • Walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks • Use public transportation

Driving is not recommended while a storm is going but here are some tips if you must drive. • AVOID DRIVING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE • • Make sure you prepared you car for the storm Tell someone your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive Be aware of the precipitation Stay on main roads Travel during the day Don’t travel alone NEVER DRIVE FAST TO SAVE TIME

Getting stuck while driving • • • Stay with your vehicle. Do not leave the vehicle to search for assistance unless help is visible within 100 yards. Disorientation and confusion come very quickly in blowing snow. Avoid traveling during winter storms. If you must travel and do become stranded, it is better to stay in the vehicle and wait for help. Display a trouble sign to indicate you need help. Hang a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) on the radio antenna and raise the hood (after snow stops falling). Occasionally run engine to keep warm. Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so that you can be seen. Do minor exercises to keep up circulation. Try not to stay in one position for too long. If more than one person is in the car, take turns sleeping. Huddle together for warmth. Use newspapers, maps, and even the removable car mats for added insulation. Keep a window that is away from the blowing wind slightly open to let in air. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Drink fluids to avoid dehydration. Bulky winter clothing can cause you to sweat, but cold dry air will help the sweat evaporate, making you unaware of possible dehydration. Avoid overexertion All information was gathered from The Disaster Center

Watch out’s & Do not’s There are probably MANY things you shouldn’t do and should watch out for. Here are some important things to know. • HYPOTHERMIA - Subnormal temperature of the body signs include: • • • Uncontroable shivering Memory loss disorientation Incoherence Slurred speech drowsiness Apparent exhaustion Cold & pale skin Slowed breathing and/or heart rate what to do: • • Call 9 -1 -1 Conduct CPR if necessary Get person inside, or at least out of wind Once person is inside remove ANY wet and constricting clothing to dry Warm person, if necessary use own body heat If person is alert give them sweet NON-alcoholic fluids Stay with person until medical help arrives

Watch out’s & Do not’s (continued) • Frostbite - ~ the damage of skin & tissues caused by freezing ~destruction of tissue ~usually happens to exposed areas of skin to extreme temperatures signs include: • • • Pins & needles followed by numbness Hard, cold, and pale skin When thawed out, red and VERY painful -severe frostbite • • Skin may appear white & numb May cause blisters, gangrene (blackened, dead tissue) and damage to deep structures. (i. e. tendons, muscles, nerves, and bone) what to do: • • Shelter person and get them to a warmer place Remove constricting jewelry (look for hypothermia Soak affected areas in warm ( NEVER hot) water Get medical attention DO NOT: • assume someone foud motionless and cold is dead • Use direct heat to warm person (i. e. hot water, heating pad, ect. ) • Give person alcohol if signs of frostbite and/or hypothermia appear

The information given to you in the slide show you just saw came from the websites on the following page. I do not take any of the facts as my own.

Websites to thank • • • http: //www. dom. com/contact/phone-numbersand-addresses. jsp http: //www. virginiadot. org/info/contactus. asp http: //www. mo. gov/disaster-resources/winterstorms-heres-what-you-can-do/preparedness-tips -before-a-severe-winter-storm/ http: //www. mass. gov/? page. ID=eopsterminal&L =3&L 0=Home&L 1=Public+Safety+Agencies&L 2=Massachusetts+Emergency+Management+Ag ency&sid=Eeops&b=terminalcontent&f=mema_ feature_story_2010_feature_stories_2010_steps_ to_take_before_the_winter_storm&csid=Eeops http: //www. merriamwebster. com/dictionary/hypothermia? show=0&t =1295396591 http: //adam. about. com/encyclopedia/firstaid/Hyp othermia. htm http: //www. merriamwebster. com/dictionary/frostbite? show=1&t=129 5399669 http: //adam. about. com/encyclopedia/firstaid/Fros tbite. htm http: //www. wcnc. com/weather/severeweather/emergency-preparedness/What-to-dobefore-a-winter-storm-69304557. html http: //www. mo. gov/disaster-resources/winterstorms-heres-what-you-can-do/what-to-doduring-a-severe-winter-storm/ http: //www. disastercenter. com/guide/winter. html http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Winter_storm • • • http: //www. fema. gov/hazard/winter/wi_terms. sht m http: //www. weather. gov/nwr/ http: //www. vbgov. com/default. aspx http: //www. vbgov. com/vgn. aspx? services_list=a 59 ac 67 a 3 e 83 b 010 Vgn. VCM 100000870 b 640 a. RC RD%7 Cdfee 54 cf 18 ad 9010 Vgn. VCM 100000870 b 640 a. RCRD%7 C 2412 f 7527 a 6 ca 110 Vgn. VCM 1 00000190 c 640 a. RCRD http: //www. vbgov. com/vgn. aspx? vgnextchannel =9 a 8 f 932024274210 Vgn. VCM 100000190 c 640 a RCRD&vgnextparchannel=52223 ad 9 a 3 c 22210 V gn. VCM 100000190 c 640 a. RCRD http: //www. vbgov. com/vgn. aspx? vgnextoid=d 59 b 340 df 304 c 010 Vgn. VCM 1000006310640 a. RCR D&vgnextchannel=be 907 e 192 ca 49010 Vgn. VCM 100000870 b 640 a. RCRD&vgnextparchannel=55 a b 7 e 192 ca 49010 Vgn. VCM 100000870 b 640 a. RCR D http: //www. vbgov. com/vgn. aspx? vgnextchannel =9 f 886 f 79 fd 9 f 7110 Vgn. VCM 100000190 c 640 a. R CRD&vgnextparchannel=6 e 5 ffd 67 f 3 ad 9010 Vgn VCM 100000870 b 640 a. RCRD http: //www. vbgov. com/vgn. aspx? services_list=e 3407 a 4 d 75 c 3 d 010 Vgn. VCM 1000006310640 a. RC RD%7 C 6 e 5 ffd 67 f 3 ad 9010 Vgn. VCM 100000870 b 640 a. RCRD%7 C 0241 ac 5 da 5 a 1 e 010 Vgn. VCM 10 00006310640 a. RCRD http: //www. vbgov. com/vgn. aspx? vgnextoid=095 41807 a 3 e 8 d 010 Vgn. VCM 1000006310640 a. RCR D&vgnextchannel=be 907 e 192 ca 49010 Vgn. VCM 100000870 b 640 a. RCRD&vgnextparchannel=55 a b 7 e 192 ca 49010 Vgn. VCM 100000870 b 640 a. RCR D