National Weather Service / Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security
NEWS RELEASE
SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK
Media contacts:
National Weather Service, Mr. Paul Flatt, (208) 334-9861
Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security, Lt. Col. Tim Marsano, (208) 422-5268
Topic for Monday, Oct. 4, 2004
Winter Weather Safety and Terminology
Exposure to cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia and become life-threatening. Infants and the elderly are the most susceptible. When a winter storm approaches, stay inside. When using alternate heat from a fireplace, wood stove or space heater, use fire safeguards and properly ventilate. Close off unneeded rooms in the building. Stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors. Cover windows at night.
Eat and drink sufficiently. Food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat. Keep the body replenished with fluids to prevent dehydration. Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight warm clothing. Remove layers to avoid overheating, perspiration and subsequent chill. Make sure pets have plenty of food, water and shelter.
If caught outside during a winter storm, find shelter immediately. Try to stay dry and cover all exposed body parts. If no shelter is available, build a lean-to, windbreak or snow cave for protection from wind. Build a fire for heat and to attract attention. Place rocks around the fire to absorb and reflect heat. Melt snow for drinking water. Eating snow will lower your body temperature.
The best way to prevent becoming stuck in a vehicle during a winter storm is to avoid travel all together. This can be done by staying informed about the current weather and road conditions as well as the latest weather forecasts by listening to noaa weather radio or your favorite media source. If you must travel, let someone know of your travel plans.
Information on road conditions can be obtained by dialing the following toll-free telephone numbers.
Idaho 1-888-432-7623
Oregon 1-800-977-6368
Washington 1-800-695-7623
A well-equipped vehicle has adequate tires, tire chains, tow ropes, sand or cat litter for traction, shove, tool kit, windshield scraper and brush, battery cables, first aid kit, flashlight, extra batteries, blankets or sleeping bags, extra clothing, candles, water-proof matches, high calorie packaged food for quick energy, and an empty can to melt snow for drinking.
If you should become stranded during a winter storm, stay with your vehicle and do not panic. If accompanied by others, take turns sleeping. Run the motor every hour for about ten minutes to maintain warmth, but keep windows open a little to prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide. Make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked. Keep the car visible with a brightly colored cloth tied to the antenna. Exercise periodically by vigorously moving arms, legs, toes and fingers.
In the mountains, avalanches become a possibility in the winter, especially below steep slopes. Avalanches occasionally come down across roads, with little or no warning. Caution is advised when traveling along avalanche prone roads, especially after heavy snow has fallen or during periods of rapid snowmelt.
Roads which appear to be clear in the wintertime may actually be coated with a thin layer of ice, commonly known as black ice. This nearly invisible ice layer can cause you to rapidly lose control of your vehicle. Black ice is most common during the nighttime hours. If you detect black ice, you should reduce your speed.
Wind chill is not the actual temperature but rather how wind and cold feel on exposed skin. As the wind increases, heat is carried away from the body at an accelerated rate, driving down body temperature. Animals are also affected by wind chill, however, cars, plants and other objects are not.
Frostbite is damage to body tissue caused by extreme cold. A wind chill of -20 degrees Fahrenheit will cause frostbite in just 30 minutes. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately. If you must wait for help, slowly re-warm affected areas. However, if the person is also showing signs of hypothermia, warm the body core before the extremities.
Hypothermia is a condition brought on when the body temperature drops to less than 95 degrees Fahrenheit. It can kill. For those who survive, there are likely to be lasting kidney, liver, and pancreas problems. Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. Take the person’s temperature. If below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, seek medical care immediately.
This week is Winter Weather Awareness Week. Now is the time to get prepared for winter weather. Public information statements will be issued throughout the week to give safety information, and help you know how to respond when winter weather threatens.
You may learn more from our internet preparedness web pages at
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter/index.shtml
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/severeweather/index.shtml
This message is brought to you by your local National Weather Service staff and the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security.
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State of Idaho Military Division /
Idaho National Guard
Public Affairs Officer
208.422.5268
DSN 422.5268