Staying Safe During Winter Storms and Extreme Cold

Winter storms can range from a moderate snow over a few hours to a blizzard with blinding, wind,driven snow that lasts for several days. It is also common for winter storms to be accompanied by low temperatures, strong winds, icing, sleet, and freezing rain. One of the primary concerns is the winter weather’s ability to knock out heat, power and communication services; sometimes for days at a time.

The National Weather Service refers to winter storms as “deceptive killers” because most deaths and injuries are indirectly related to the storm. Instead, people are hurt or die in traffic accidents on icy roads, and of hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold.