Preparing for Icy Weather

Monday January 13, 2020

Just a thin coating of ice can result in a travel nightmare, while heavier amounts will severely damage trees and power lines.

Strong winds can add extra force to already weighted down tree branches and power lines, increasing the likelihood of significant damage. “Because we know that this is the season for bad weather, it is always best to be prepared in the event of an emergency instead of being caught off guard,” says Jim Cook, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. With the imminent weather headed in the tri-county direction, the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency offers the following tips in staying safe in icy weather:

• Avoid driving on icy roads for your safety and the safety of emergency personnel.

• Be sure to charge cell phones and laptops ahead of time. Make sure you have several ways to communicate with others. Consider landline phones, social media, and texting.

• Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pets. Plan for pets to come inside, and store adequate food and water for them.

• Children should never play around ice-covered trees; they may be injured if a branch breaks under the weight of the ice and falls on them.

• Think about safe alternate power sources you could use if you lose heat, such as a fireplace, wood/coal stove or portable space heaters. However, be sure to exercise caution:

  • Follow manufacturer’s instructions when using portable space heaters and other devices.

  • Never use portable generators, camp stoves and grills inside your home or garage; they should only be used outside. Keep them at least 20 feet away from your home's windows, doors and vents to prevent deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

  • Use flashlights during power outages instead of candles to prevent the risk of fire, and keep plenty of extra batteries on-hand.

   

Just a thin coating of ice can result in a travel nightmare, while heavier amounts will severely damage trees and power lines. Strong winds can add extra force to already weighted down tree branches and power lines, increasing the likelihood of significant damage.

Did you know…

• Ice can increase the weight of branches by 30 times.

• A 1/2-inch accumulation on power lines can add 500 pounds of extra weight.

• An ice storm in 2009 centered from northern Arkansas to the Ohio Valley knocked out power to 1.3 million.

• In 1998, an ice storm in northern New York and northern New England damaged millions of trees and caused $1.4 billion in damage. Accumulations were as much as three inches thick!

Stay safe out there!