Preparing for a Winter Storm | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

All,

    Please take a moment to review the message below from North Carolina Emergency Management and attachment from FEMA as you prepared for our approaching winter weather.

    NCEM Winter Storm Preparedness

    Winter storms in North Carolina can be extremely hard to predict, and often results in mixed forms of wintry precipitation. Winter storms could be sleet, freezing rain, icing, or dangerously low temperatures. It is important to be prepared for winter weather before it strikes. One of the main concerns is that a winter storm can knock out heat, power, and communications services to your home. These services could be out for days at a time. The National Weather Service calls winter storms "deceptive killers" because most deaths are not directly related to the storm. Instead, people die in traffic accidents on icy roads and from carbon monoxide poisoning while using alternate ways to heat or power a home.

    To prepare for winter weather, North Carolina Emergency Management officials recommend these tips:

• Always keep at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food and a supply of medication in your home.
• Keep cell phones and mobile devices charged in case of power outages.
• Keep fresh batteries on hand for weather radios and flashlights.
• Dress warmly. Wear multiple layers of thin clothing instead of a single layer of thick clothing.
• Properly vent kerosene heaters and ensure generators are operated outside and away from open windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Never burn charcoal indoors or use a gas grill indoors.
• Use a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio or a weather alert app on your phone to receive emergency weather alerts.
• Store an emergency kit in your vehicle. Include scraper, jumper cables, tow chain, sand/salt, blankets, flashlight, first-aid kit, and road map.
• Make an emergency supplies kit for your pet and include medical records, leash and feeding supplies, enough food for several days, and a pet travel carrier.
• Do not leave pets outside for long periods of time during freezing weather.

winter_storm_information_sheet.pdf


    Chris Newkirk
       Deputy Director,     Beaufort County Emergency Services

    1420 Highland Dr
    Washington, NC 27889