F A C T S H E E T
Federal Emergency Management Agency
WINTER STORMS
A major winter storm can be lethal. Preparing for cold weather conditions and responding to them
effectively can reduce the dangers caused by winter storms.
Be familiar with winter storm Contact your local emergency Develop an emergency
warning messages. management office or American communication plan.
(See Winter Storm Watches and Red Cross chapter for more
In case family members are
Warnings) information on winter storms.
separated from one another during
a winter storm (a real possibility
Service snow removal equipment Keep pipes from freezing. during the day when adults are at
and have rock salt on hand to work and children are at school),
% Wrap pipes in insulation or layers
melt ice on walkways and kitty have a plan for getting back
of old newspapers.
litter to generate temporary together.
% Cover the newspapers with
traction.
Ask an out-of-state relative or
plastic to keep out moisture.
friend to serve as the  family
Make sure you have sufficient
% Let faucets drip a little to avoid
contact. After a disaster, it s often
heating fuel; regular fuel sources
freezing.
easier to call long distance. Make
may be cut off.
% Know how to shut off water sure everyone in the family knows
valves. the name, address, and phone
Winterize your home.
number of the contact person.
% Insulate walls and attic.
Have disaster supplies on hand, in
case the power goes out.
Make sure that all family mem-
% Caulk and weather-strip doors
bers know how to respond after
and windows. " Flashlight and extra batteries
a severe winter storm.
% Install storm windows or cover " Portable, battery-operated radio
Teach children how and when to
windows with plastic from the and extra batteries
call 9-1-1, police, or fire depart-
inside.
" First aid kit
ment, and which radio station to
tune to for emergency information.
Have safe emergency heating " One-week supply of food (include
equipment available. items that do not require refrigera-
tion or cooking in case the power
Kerosene Heaters
" Fireplace with ample supply
is shut off)
of wood
Check with your local fire department on
" Nonelectric can opener
" Small, well-vented wood, coal, or
the legality of using kerosene heaters in
camp stove with fuel
" One-week supply of essential
your community. Use only the correct fuel
prescription medications
for your unit and follow the manufacturer s
" Portable space heaters or kerosene
instructions. Refuel outdoors only, and
heaters (See Kerosene Heaters)
" Extra blankets and sleeping bags
only when cool. Keep your kerosene
" Fire extinguisher (A-B-C type)
heater at least 3 feet away from furniture
Install and check smoke detectors.
and other flammable objects.
IF INDOORS Avoid overexertion.
Frostbite and Hypothermia
Cold weather puts an added strain
Stay indoors and dress warmly.
on the heart. Unaccustomed
Frostbite is a severe reaction to cold
exercise such as shoveling snow or
Conserve fuel.
exposure that can permanently damage its
pushing a car can bring on a heart
Lower the thermostat to 65 degrees
victims. A loss of feeling and a white or
attack or make other medical
during the day and 55 degrees at
pale appearance in fingers, toes, or nose
conditions worse. Be aware of
night. Close off unused rooms.
and ear lobes are symptoms of frostbite.
symptoms of dehydration.
Hypothermia is a condition brought on
If the pipes freeze, remove any
when the body temperature drops to less
Watch for signs of frostbite and
insulation or layers of newspa-
than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms
hypothermia.
pers and wrap pipes in rags.
of hypothermia include uncontrollable
Completely open all faucets and
shivering, slow speech, memory lapses,
Keep dry.
pour hot water over the pipes,
frequent stumbling, drowsiness, and
Change wet clothing frequently to
starting where they were most
exhaustion.
prevent a loss of body heat. Wet
exposed to the cold (or where the
If frostbite or hypothermia is suspected,
clothing loses all of its insulating
cold was most likely to penetrate).
begin warming the person slowly and seek
value and transmits heat rapidly.
immediate medical assistance. Warm the
Listen to the radio or television to
person s trunk first. Use your own body
Remember to help your neighbors
get the latest storm information.
heat to help. Arms and legs should be
who may require special assis-
warmed last because stimulation of the
tance  infants, elderly people,
IF OUTDOORS
limbs can drive cold blood toward the
and people with disabilities.
Dress warmly.
heart and lead to heart failure. Put person
Wear loose-fitting, layered, light-
in dry clothing and wrap their entire body
weight clothing. Layers can be
Mitigation in a blanket.
removed to prevent perspiration
Never give a frostbite or hypothermia
and chill. Outer garments should
Mitigation includes any activities that victim something with caffeine in it (like
be tightly woven and water repel-
prevent an emergency, reduce the chance coffee or tea) or alcohol. Caffeine, a
lent. Mittens are warmer than
of an emergency happening, or lessen the stimulant, can cause the heart to beat
gloves because fingers generate
damaging effects of unavoidable faster and hasten the effects the cold has
warmth when they touch each other.
emergencies. Investing in preventive on the body. Alcohol, a depressant, can
mitigation steps now such as purchasing a slow the heart and also hasten the ill
Stretch before you go out.
flood insurance policy and installing storm effects of cold body temperatures.
If you go out to shovel snow, do a
windows will help reduce the impact of
few stretching exercises to warm up
winter storms in the future. For more
your body. Also, take frequent
information on mitigation, contact your
Winter Storm Watches
breaks.
and Warnings
local emergency management office.
A winter storm watch indicates that
Cover your mouth.
severe winter weather may affect your
Protect your lungs from extremely
Wind Chill
area. A winter storm warning indicates
cold air by covering your mouth
that severe winter weather conditions are
when outdoors. Try not to speak
 Wind chill is a calculation of how cold
definitely on the way.
unless absolutely necessary.
it feels outside when the effects of
A blizzard warning means that large
temperature and wind speed are
amounts of falling or blowing snow and
combined. A strong wind combined with a
sustained winds of at least 35 miles per
temperature of just below freezing can
hour are expected for several hours.
have the same effect as a still air
temperature about 35 degrees colder.
EMERGENCY PUBLIC INFORMATION
September 1993
B A C K G R O U N D E R
WHAT IS A WINTER STORM?
WI N T E R S T O R MS
A winter storm can range from
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
moderate snow over a few hours to
1. A major winter storm can last for several days and be accompa-
nied by high winds, freezing rain or sleet, heavy snowfall, and
blizzard conditions with blinding
extremely cold temperatures. People can become stranded on the
wind-driven snow that last several
road or trapped at home, without utilities or other services. The best
days. Some winter storms may be
protection against severe winter weather is to stay inside and to
dress warmly by wearing loose-fitting, layered, lightweight clothing.
large enough to affect several states
2. A serious danger during a winter storm is hypothermia a
while others may affect only a single
condition brought on when the body temperature drops because of
community. All winter storms are
prolonged exposure to extreme cold. Hypothermia is not always
fatal, but for those who survive there are likely to be lasting kidney,
accompanied by low temperatures
liver, and pancreatic problems.
and blowing snow, which can
3. Heavy snowfall and blizzards can trap motorists in their cars.
severely reduce visibility. A severe
Attempting to walk for help in a blizzard can be a deadly decision.
Disorientation and confusion come very quickly in blowing snow.
winter storm is one that drops 4 or
People trapped in a car during a blizzard do best to stay in the car
more inches of snow during a 12-
and wait for help.
hour period, or 6 or more inches
during a 24-hour span. An ice storm
occurs when freezing rain falls from
clouds and freezes immediately on
impact. All winter storms make
driving and walking extremely
hazardous. The aftermath of a winter
storm can impact a community or
region for days, weeks, and even
months. Storm effects such as
extreme cold, flooding, and snow
accumulation can cause hazardous
Almost the entire United States except Hawaii and the territories are at some risk from winter
storms. The level of risk depends on the severity of local winter weather. Winter storms
conditions and hidden problems for
known as  northeasters cause extensive coastal flooding, erosion, and property loss in the
people in the affected area.
northeastern and middle Atlantic states.
HELP YOUR COMMUNITY GET READY
HOW THE PUBLIC CAN HELP
AFTER A DISASTER
The media can raise awareness about winter storms by providing important
information to the community. Here are some suggestions:
When disaster strikes,
people everywhere want to
1. Publish a special section in your local newspaper with
emergency information about winter storms. Place special help those in need. To en-
emphasis on what people should do if they are caught
sure that this compassion
outside.
and generosity are put to
2. Inform your community about the different National good use, the media can
Weather Service announcements  winter storm watch, winter
highlight these facts:
storm warning, ice storm warning, heavy snow warning,
blizzard warning, severe blizzard warning, high wind warning.
Financial aid is an immediate need of
3. Conduct a series of presentations at the beginning disaster victims. Financial contributions
of winter storm season. Include information on alternative heat
should be made through a recognized
sources and home insulation.
voluntary organization to help ensure
4. Interview local physicians about the dangers of hypother- that contributions are put to their in-
mia and other winter health conditions.
tended use.
5. Produce a series of announcements on what to do if you are stuck in your
Before donating food or clothing, wait
car during a blizzard.
for instructions from local officials.
Immediately after a disaster, relief
workers usually don t have the time or
DI D YOU KNOW. . .
facilities to setup distribution channels,
and too often these items go to waste.
% The leading cause of death % Elderly people account for the
during winter storms is from largest percentage of hypother-
Volunteers should go through a
automobile or other transporta- mia victims. Many older Ameri- recognized voluntary agency such as
the American Red Cross or Salvation
tion accidents. Exhaustion or cans literally  freeze to death in
Army. They know what is needed and
heart attacks caused by overex- their own homes after being
are prepared to deal with the need.
ertion are the second most likely exposed to dangerously cold
Local emergency services officials also
cause of winter storm-related indoor temperatures, or are
coordinate volunteer efforts for helping
deaths. asphyxiated because of improper
in disasters.
use of fuels such as charcoal
Organizations and community groups
% Fire during winter storms
briquettes, which produce carbon
wishing to donate items should first
presents a great danger because
monoxide.
contact local officials, the American Red
water supplies may freeze and it
Cross, or Salvation Army to find out
may be difficult for fire fighting % In March 1993, the Blizzard of
what is needed and where to send it.
equipment to get to the fire. '93 dumped record amounts of
Be prepared to deliver the items to one
snow on an area that stretched place, tell officials when you ll be
% Ice storms can break power
there, and provide for transportation,
from Alabama to New England.
lines, causing widespread driver, and unloading.
The storm left more than 170
blackouts.
people dead and caused hundreds
of thousands of people to be
without power for several days.
Total damages were estimated at
upward of $800 million.
EMERGENCY PUBLIC INFORMATION
September 1993