If venturing outside for the rest of the week, be sure any exposed skin is covered, as bitter to dangerously cold air impacts the region. Additionally, travel could be impacted Thursday into Thursday night, due to light snow accumulations, windy conditions and blowing and drifting snow.
Stay Safe During Bitterly Cold Temperatures and Dangerous Snow Conditions
Release date: January 5, 2015
Release Number: RV-015-001
CHICAGO – Dangerously low temperatures and accumulating snow are in the forecast for much of the Midwest and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) wants individuals and families to be safe when faced with the hazards of cold temperatures and winter weather.
“Subfreezing temperatures and wind chills can be dangerous and even life-threatening for people who don’t take the proper precautions,” said Andrew Velasquez III, FEMA Regional Administrator. “It is important for everyone to monitor their local weather reports and take steps now to stay safe, whether traveling or at home, during times of extreme cold temperatures.”
During cold weather, you should take the following precautions:
- Stay indoors as much as possible and limit your exposure to the cold;
- Dress in layers and keep dry;
- Check on family, friends, and neighbors who are at risk and may need additional assistance;
- Know the symptoms of cold-related health issues such as frostbite and hypothermia and seek medical attention if health conditions are severe.
- Bring your pets indoors or ensure they have a warm shelter area with unfrozen water.
- Make sure your vehicle has an emergency kit that includes an ice scraper, blanket and flashlight – and keep the fuel tank above half full.
- If you are told to stay off the roads, stay home. If you must drive, don’t travel alone; keep others informed of your schedule and stay on main roads.
You can find more information and tips on being ready for winter weather and extreme cold temperatures at http://www.ready.gov/winter-weather.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.
Dangerously Cold Air Arrives Tonight
A brisk northwest wind tonight will usher in dangerously cold air, setting up a frigid day Wednesday when air temperatures look to stay below zero. If venturing outside, be sure any exposed skin is covered. A brief warm-up is planned on Thursday before more arctic air plunges into the region for Thursday night into Saturday morning.
Winter Weather Dangers – Press Release
MADISON, Wis. (READY WISCONSIN NEWS RELEASE) — The new year is bringing snow and arctic cold air that will impact Wisconsin the next few days. Here’s the latest information on weather conditions and tips to keep you and your family safe.
Bitter temperatures – Arctic air has moved in across the state creating dangerously cold wind chills. High temperatures will only be in the single digits, with low temperatures falling as low as -15. Bitterly cold overnight wind chill readings of -20 to -35 should be widespread across the state from Tuesday morning thru Thursday morning. The National Weather Service will likely issue wind chill advisories and/or warnings during this period. In addition, a Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for parts of southern Wisconsin that could receive 2 to 5 inches of snow overnight.
On the road – If you are traveling make sure you have a winter emergency kit in your vehicle. Items to include in the kit are candles and matches, a flashlight, pocket knife, snacks, a cell phone adapter, a blanket and extra clothing. For a complete list go to http://ReadyWisconsin.wi.gov
Health Risks – With wind chills of -20 to -35, there is an increased risk of frostbite and hypothermia. If you must venture outdoors, make sure you wear a hat and gloves. Frostbite can happen in less than 30 minutes of exposure to those conditions. Symptoms include a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, ear tips and tip of the nose. Limit your time outside. If you see these signs, seek medical care immediately.
Hypothermia is also a danger in these conditions. That is when your body temperature drops below 95˚F. Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, disorientation, slurred speech and drowsiness. Again, limit your outdoor activity and seek medical care if you detect these symptoms.
Carbon Monoxide Danger – Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. More than 20,000 people visit the emergency room and nearly 500 are killed each year from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Make sure you have working CO detectors. All homes and duplexes in Wisconsin are required to have CO detectors on every level including the basement, but not the attic or storage areas. Have your furnace or wood-burning stove inspected annually to make sure it is structurally and functionally sound and vents properly to the outside of your home.
Never run a gasoline or propane heater or a grill (gas or charcoal) inside your home or an unventilated garage. Any heating system that burns fuel will produce carbon monoxide. Use a battery-powered detector where you have fuel burning devices but no electric outlets, such as in tents, cabins, RVs, and boats with enclosed cabins. Never run a car in an enclosed space. If a vehicle is running, you must have a door open to the outside. Generators should be run a safe distance from the home. Never run a generator in the home or garage, or right next to windows or doors.
Breathing carbon monoxide displaces the oxygen in the blood and can cause death within minutes at high levels. Symptoms of overexposure to carbon monoxide are often mistaken for the flu and include headaches, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath/chest pain, nausea/vomiting, and confusion. If you experience any of these symptoms, or your carbon monoxide detector sounds an alarm, head outside immediately for fresh air and call 911.
Pet care – While our pets might seem to have built-in, warm winter coats, they too are sensitive to the elements. It is recommended to bring them indoors during this bitter weather. Dogs and cats can get frost bitten ears, nose and feet if left outside during bitter cold weather. Chemicals used to melt snow and ice can also irritate pets’ paws – be sure to keep anti-freeze, salt and other poisons away from pets.
For additional safety tips, visit http://ReadyWisconsin.wi.gov. You can also check out Midwest road conditions and airport delays. Follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ReadyWisconsin) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/ReadyWisconsin).