BEFORE A SNOW OR ICE STORM
Emergency survival kit:
Have an emergency survival kit containing non-perishable food and water enough to last a minimum of one week. Other items your emergency kit should include are flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, and a battery operated weather alert radio. You should have blankets and other safe sources for heat due to the likelihood of power outages. For your pets, have extra food and water ready. Have a separate kit for your vehicle, as well. This kit should contain non-perishable food, water, a battery operated weather alert radio, blankets and extra jackets or clothing. Your gas tank should be full to prevent icing of the tank and/or fuel lines of the car.
General precautions:
Snow emergencies:
Be aware of current snow emergencies in effect. Do not park anywhere on a snow emergency route during a snow emergency. Streets will have a sign designating it as a snow emergency route (see images below.) Driving is not recommended during a level two snow emergency and is illegal during a level three snow emergency. Driving is discouraged for inexperienced drivers during a level one snow emergency. More information about snow emergencies and snow emergency routes can be found on our Snow Emergencies page.
Emergency survival kit:
Have an emergency survival kit containing non-perishable food and water enough to last a minimum of one week. Other items your emergency kit should include are flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, and a battery operated weather alert radio. You should have blankets and other safe sources for heat due to the likelihood of power outages. For your pets, have extra food and water ready. Have a separate kit for your vehicle, as well. This kit should contain non-perishable food, water, a battery operated weather alert radio, blankets and extra jackets or clothing. Your gas tank should be full to prevent icing of the tank and/or fuel lines of the car.
General precautions:
- Continuously monitor weather forecasts for updates on the storm.
- If you are planning to travel, be aware of the timing of the storm and how it may affect you.
- If weather conditions begin to change and/or worsen, quickly move to shelter to avoid getting caught in the storm. Driving may become difficult and dangerous.
- Prepare to ride out the storm at home.
Snow emergencies:
Be aware of current snow emergencies in effect. Do not park anywhere on a snow emergency route during a snow emergency. Streets will have a sign designating it as a snow emergency route (see images below.) Driving is not recommended during a level two snow emergency and is illegal during a level three snow emergency. Driving is discouraged for inexperienced drivers during a level one snow emergency. More information about snow emergencies and snow emergency routes can be found on our Snow Emergencies page.
IN CASE OF SNOW OR ICE STORM
If outdoors:
Move to shelter before the snow or ice becomes too intense to travel through. If you are unable to move to shelter, call a family member or 911 (if an emergency) for assistance.
If in a vehicle:
Pull over to the side of the road and activate your hazard lights if visibilities worsen or accumulated snow or ice prevents travel. Run your motor for 10 minutes every hour for heat and make sure your exhaust pipe is clear. Stay in your vehicle until conditions become safe or rescuers arrive.
If at a home or business:
Stay inside. Do not leave the building until conditions are safe. If the power goes out and you are unable to leave, use the non-perishable food and water from your emergency survival kit. For warmth, use warm, loose-fitting clothing and blankets. You may use a fireplace for warmth, but take fire precautions. Do not use an oven as a heat source; this becomes a very dangerous fire hazard. You may also use a battery-operated space heater, again, taking careful fire precautions. Make sure all smoke alarms are in operation. To isolate heat in one room, close all doors and keep towels under them to prevent warm air from escaping the room. Also, cover your windows to prevent cold air from entering.
Call 911 if an emergency arises.
For your pets:
Regularly feed and hydrate your pets. Do not leave your pets outside.
If outdoors:
Move to shelter before the snow or ice becomes too intense to travel through. If you are unable to move to shelter, call a family member or 911 (if an emergency) for assistance.
If in a vehicle:
Pull over to the side of the road and activate your hazard lights if visibilities worsen or accumulated snow or ice prevents travel. Run your motor for 10 minutes every hour for heat and make sure your exhaust pipe is clear. Stay in your vehicle until conditions become safe or rescuers arrive.
If at a home or business:
Stay inside. Do not leave the building until conditions are safe. If the power goes out and you are unable to leave, use the non-perishable food and water from your emergency survival kit. For warmth, use warm, loose-fitting clothing and blankets. You may use a fireplace for warmth, but take fire precautions. Do not use an oven as a heat source; this becomes a very dangerous fire hazard. You may also use a battery-operated space heater, again, taking careful fire precautions. Make sure all smoke alarms are in operation. To isolate heat in one room, close all doors and keep towels under them to prevent warm air from escaping the room. Also, cover your windows to prevent cold air from entering.
Call 911 if an emergency arises.
For your pets:
Regularly feed and hydrate your pets. Do not leave your pets outside.
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