Winter Storm Readiness
Winter Storms
A winter storm occurs when there is significant precipitation with low temperatures. A winter storm can range from a few hours to several days. Precipitation may form as sleet or snow, or rain may turn to ice. It may be freezing rain and ice, snow, or a blizzard. Many winter storms are accompanied by high winds and dangerously low temperatures.
Winter storms can cause power outages that last for days. They can make roads extremely dangerous or impassable. Critical community services may be closed or limited, such as public transportation, child care, health programs and schools. Injuries and deaths may occur from exposure, dangerous road conditions, and carbon monoxide poisoning and other conditions.
Before snowstorms and extreme cold
Plan ahead
- Know the City of Sammamish Snow and Ice Maintenance Routes for snow plowing and anti-icer application. See the Snow & Ice Route Map.
- Get the Puget Sound Energy - MyPSE app to receive and report power outage information.
- Make a Family Communications Plan.
- Your family may not be together when disaster strikes. Plan ahead so you know how to contact one another.
- Your plan should address how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency.
- Plan to check on elderly/disabled relatives and neighbors.
Prepare your home
- Make an emergency kit for up to two weeks of self-sufficiency.
- Make sure your home is well insulated. Install weather stripping around your doors and window sills to keep warm air inside.
- Make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors.
- Keep fire extinguishers on hand. Make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk during winter storms. To avoid fire, always take necessary safety precautions when using alternate heating sources.
- Learn how to shut off water valves in case a pipe bursts.
- If you have a wood-burning fireplace, consider storing wood to burn if your power goes out. Make sure you have your chimney cleaned and inspected every year.
- Have at least one of the following heat sources in case the power goes out:
- Extra blankets, sleeping bags and warm winter coats
- Fireplace or wood-burning stove with plenty of dry firewood, or a gas log fireplace
- Keep space heater safety in mind:
- Use electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches and non-glowing elements.
- Remember to keep all heat sources at least three feet away from furniture and drapes.
- Know where the manual release lever of your electric garage door opener is located. Know how to operate it so you're prepared if you lose power.
- Purchase appliance thermometers and place in refrigerator and freezer to monitor food temperatures if power goes out.
- If you depend on electricity to operate medical equipment, you should plan ahead for power outages. Have alternate arrangements in place in case power is out for an extended period of time.
Prepare your vehicle
- Fully winterize your vehicle:
- Your antifreeze, brakes, heater, defroster, tires, and windshield wipers should be in good shape. Have a mechanic check these before winter storms hit.
- Keep your gas tank at least half full.
- Keep an extra emergency kit specifically created for your car. In addition to the basic essentials, consider adding:
- a portable cell phone charger,
- ice scraper,
- extra blanket,
- sand for traction and
- jumper cables.
- Make sure you have a cell phone with an emergency charging option (car, solar, hand crank, etc.) in case of a power failure.
- Plan for bringing pets.
During snowstorms and extreme cold
- Stay indoors during the storm.
- Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. If you must drive:
- travel in the day;
- don’t travel alone;
- keep others informed of your schedule and your route;
- stay on main roads and avoid back road shortcuts.
- Walk carefully on snowy, icy, walkways.
- Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack—a major cause of death in the winter. Use caution, take breaks, push the snow instead of lifting it when possible, and lift lighter loads.
- Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly.
- If you must go outside, wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
- Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves.
- Wear a hat and cover your mouth with a scarf to reduce heat loss.
Cold-related illnesses
Frostbite is a serious condition that’s caused by exposure to extremely cold temperatures.
Hypothermia is a dangerous condition that can occur when a person is exposed to extremely cold temperatures. Hypothermia is abnormally low body temperature. It is caused by prolonged exposure to very cold temperatures.
When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it’s produced. Lengthy exposures will eventually use up your body’s stored energy, which leads to lower body temperature.
Warning signs of hypothermia include:
- Adults:
- shivering,
- exhaustion,
- confusion,
- fumbling hands,
- memory loss,
- slurred speech,
- drowsiness
- Infants:
- bright red, cold skin,
- very low energy
If you notice any of these signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95° F, the situation is an emergency—get medical attention immediately.
Carbon monoxide
Caution! Each year, an average of 430 Americans die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning. There are more than 20,000 visits to the emergency room with more than 4,000 hospitalizations.
Carbon monoxide-related deaths are highest during colder months. These deaths likely happen when people use carbon monoxide-producing devices inside during power outages. Heating, cooking, and power sources powered by gasoline, propane or charcoal produce carbon monoxide, a poisonous but odorless gas.
- Never use a gas-operated or charcoal-burning device indoors. There is a danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- This applies to generators, grills, camp stoves, and other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices.
- Do not use inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace, or any partially enclosed area.
- Locate the unit away from doors, windows, and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
- Keep these devices at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents.
- When using alternate sources for electricity, heating, or cooking, the primary hazards are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock, and fire.
- Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas. These alarms provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide.
- If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds move quickly to a fresh air location. Preferably move outdoors, otherwise by an open window or door.
- Call for help from the fresh air location and remain there until emergency personnel arrives to assist you.
After winter storms and extreme cold
Continue to protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers. Stay indoors, if possible.
You may want to go to a public shelter if you won't be able to stay warm overnight. You could consider going during the day if your home loses power or heat for beyond a few hours. The American Red Cross Emergency App provides up-to-date information on open public shelters and weather information.
- Bring any personal items that you would need to spend the night (such as toiletries and medicines).
- Take precautions when traveling to the shelter. Only go if you can get there safely.
- Dress warmly in layers, wear boots, mittens, and a hat.