Are You Prepared For The Upcoming Winter Storm?

Good afternoon. I wanted to share some good reminders from NC Emergency Management and Ready NC! This isn’t to drive hype or panic. This is just shared with you for reminders for something you may have forgotten. Here is the source link: https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/north-carolina-hazards/winter-weather

Before Winter Storms and Extreme Cold

The tips below will help you to get ready for a winter storm.

• Restock or update your emergency kit. Always keep at least a seven-day supply of non-perishable food in your home and a gallon of water per person per day.
• Add the following supplies to your emergency kit: 
  • Rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways. Visit the Environmental Protection Agency for a full list of suggested products.
  • Sand to make traction better.
  • Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.
  • Have plenty of heating fuel. Store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
  • Have enough clothing and blankets to keep you warm.
• Make a family communications plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so know how you will get in touch with one another, how you will get back together,  and what you will do in case of an emergency.
• Listen to a NOAA weather radio or other local news channels for important information from the National Weather Service (NWS). Know when weather changes.
• Try not to travel. If travel is needed, keep a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle.
• Bring pets inside during winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water.
• Make sure you have a good amount of heating fuel. Regular fuel sources may be cut off.
• If you have a fireplace, store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood.
• NEVER USE A CHARCOAL GRILL OR CAMP STOVE INDOORS FOR EITHER COOKING OR HEATING. THE FUMES CAN BE TOXIC.

Winterize your home:

• Winterize your home to by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows. Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic.
• Winterize your house, barn, shed or any other structure that may give shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock or equipment.
• Clear rain gutters. Fix roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm.
• Keep heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and checked every year.
• Insulate pipes and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to keep from freezing. Running water, even at a trickle, helps keep pipes from freezing.
• All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside and kept clear.
• Keep fire extinguishers on hand. Make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires can be an extra risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the needed safety precautions.
• Learn how to shut off water valves in case a pipe bursts.
• Insulate your home by installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic from the inside to keep cold air out.
• Hire a skilled contractor to check the structural ability of the roof to hold unusually heavy weight from the accumulation of snow – or water, if drains on flat roofs do not work.

As to our forecast. At this time we are not going to make any changes to our first call map. We will revisit this tonight after our team has a meeting. The forecast looks good and temperatures that we have updated in our free phone app (Foothills Weather). Here is our first call map for reference. A full update will be available here tonight by 8:00pm.