BEFORE A BLIZZARD
As beautiful as new fallen snow can be, it can also be disruptive, destructive, and deadly. Blizzard preparedness can be key to your survival.
Heavy snow on roadways can make for dangerous driving. Snow on power lines can also cause power outages that can last for days. Being prepared for heavy snowfall and having extra emergency supplies on hand is the best way to make sure your family stays safe both during and after the storm.
Remember “Snowmageddon” in 2010? Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region was just covered in snow. That storm left people without power and heat for days. The roads were not drivable for days as well. For some community streets it took weeks! Kids we’re out of school for close to a week and a half. It was almost like all of Maryland was shut down for days. Now imagine if that were to happen again, or this time it’s even worse. Would you be prepared for it again this time?
Basic Emergency Supply Kit:
- Water, one gallon of water per person per day for three days (both drinking and sanitation)
- Food, three-day supply, non-perishable
- Battery or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle
- Dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags, plastic ties (personal sanitation)
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Manual can opener for food
- Local paper maps
- Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
Family Communication Plan:
- Your family may not be together, plan how you will contact one another.
- Create a contact card for all family members and keep them in a wallet, purse, backpack, briefcase, etc.
- Check emergency plans with your children’s day care or school.
- Identify a non-local friend or relative household members can notify when they are safe, they may be in a better position to communicate between separated families.
- If you have a cell phone, program that person(s) as “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) in your phone. If you are in an accident, emergency personnel will often check your ICE listings in order to get a hold of someone you know.
- Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.
HERE ARE SOME LINKS TO HELP YOU PREPARE AND STAY SAFE:
- Download & Print the FEMA Emergency Supply List:
- Winter Storm Preparedness:
If we were to have another huge blizzard this winter would you be prepared? Blizzards are very similar to hurricanes in the notion that you have days in advance to prepare for them, so people think. Sure you know close to when it’s going to hit our Maryland area, but are you really prepared days in advance? Most people just procrastinate and wait till the last night to prepare. And sure you may know they day it’s coming but how about the exact time? The exact amount it’s going to snow? Last year the weather channel had reported that there was a possibility to 3inches to two feet! Most people forget about losing power and heat for days also. Sure, you may know the day the storm will come, but everything else is variable. The best thing you can do is prepare well in advance and expect way more snow than reported. Snow is extremely heavy. Makes sure that 2 feet of frozen rain is covered when it comes crashing through your roof. If you have any questions or concerns contact us today.