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DISCLAIMER: Weather information is provided without warranty of any kind as to accuracy or timeliness, and should never be used to make decisions during a weather emergency.

TORNADO WARNING: Tornado is indicated by radar or sighted by storm spotters. The warning will include where the tornado is and what towns will be in its path.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING: Issued when a thunderstorm produces hail 3/4 of an inch or larger in diameter and/or winds which equal or exceed 58 mph. Severe thunderstorms can result in the loss of life and/or property. Information in this warning includes: where the storm is, what towns will be affected, and the primary threat associated with the storm.

WINTER STORM WARNING: Issued when hazardous winter weather conditions are imminent or very likely, including any occurrence or combination of heavy snow, wind-driven snow, sleet, and/or freezing rain/drizzle. Winter Storm Warnings are usually issued for up to a 12-hour duration, but can be extended out to 24 hours if the situation warrants. The term "near-blizzard" may be incorporated into the "winter storm warning" for serious situations which fall just short of official blizzard conditions.

BLIZZARD WARNING: Issued for winter storms with sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 miles per hour or greater and considerable falling and/or blowing snow reducing visibility to less than 1/4 mile. These conditions are expected to last at least 3 hours.

HEAVY SNOW WARNING: Issued for expected snowfall amounts of 4 inches or more in 12 hours or 6 inches or more in 24 hours. Snow is the only precipitation type expected.

ICE STORM WARNING: Issued when damaging ice accumulations are expected during freezing rain situations; walking and driving becomes extremely dangerous. Ice accumulations are usually 1/4 inch or greater.

SLEET WARNING: Issued when accumulations of sleet covering the ground to a depth of 1/2 inch or more are expected. This is a relatively rare event.

HEALTH WARNING: Issued by the Lawrence County South Dakota Air Pollution District when ground level ozone readings are expected to be in the unhealthful range. Elderly and persons with heart or respiratory problems should stay indoors near a fan or circulating air if possible, and reduce physical activity. Motorists are asked to reduce unnecessary driving by using car pools or public transportation.

FREEZE WARNING: Issued during the growing season when temperatures at/near the ground are expected to drop well below freezing (32F) over a widespread area for a significant amount of time, regardless of whether frost forms or not. Adjectives such as 'killing' or 'hard' will be used as appropriate.

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING: Issued when the heat index is expected to equal or exceed 115F for 3 hours or longer. In these cases, the heat becomes dangerous for a large portion of the population.

FLASH FLOOD WARNING: Issued for life/property threatening rapid flooding that occurs during or within 6 hours after heavy rain has ended. It could be issued for rural or urban areas as well as for small streams and creeks. The degree of flash flooding depends on local terrain, ground cover, degree of urbanization, amount of man-made changes to the natural river banks, and initial ground or river conditions. Dam breaks or ice jams can also create flash flooding.

HIGH WIND WARNING: Used when sustained winds of 40 mph or greater are expected to last for 1 hour or longer, or for non-thunderstorm winds of 58 mph or greater for any duration.

WIND CHILL WARNING: Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to reach -10°F or colder, with a minimum wind speed of about 10 mph.

FLOOD WARNING: Issued for life/property threatening general flooding that occurs during or within 12 hours after heavy rainfall has ended. It could be issued for rural or urban areas as well as for areas along small streams and creeks. FLOOD STATEMENT Used as a follow-up to Flood Warnings and Watches. The statement will contain the latest information on the event.

FLOOD WARNING (RIVER): Used to inform the public of long-term (more than 12 hours) flooding along major streams and rivers, which is a threat to life and/or property. Usually contains river stage forecast and crest information, and the history and impact of the flood.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH: Conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Watches are usually in effect for several hours, with 6 hours being the most common.

TORNADO WATCH: Conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. Watches are usually in effect for several hours, with 6 hours being the most common.

WINTER STORM WATCH: Issued when conditions are favorable for the development of hazardous weather elements, such as heavy snow or sleet, blizzard conditions, significant accumulations of freezing rain or drizzle, or any combination thereof. Watches are usually issued 12 to 48 hours in advance of an event.

FLOOD WATCH: Indicates that flash flooding is a possibility in and close to the watch area. Those in the affected area are urged to be ready to take quick action if a flash flood warning is issued or flooding is observed. These watches are issued for rapid flooding that is expected to occur during or within 6 hours after heavy rain has ended.

FLASH FLOOD WATCH: Indicates that flash flooding is possible in and close to the watch area. Those in the affected area are urged to be ready to take quick action if a flash flood warning is issued or flooding is observed.

BLOWING/DRIFTING SNOW ADVISORY: Used when wind-driven snow intermittently reduces visibility to 1/4 mile or less. Travel may be hampered. Strong winds create blowing snow by picking up old or new snow.

FREEZING RAIN or FREEZING DRIZZLE ADVISORY: Generally used only during times when the intensity of freezing rain or drizzle is light and ice accumulations are less than 1/4 inch.

SLEET ADVISORY: Issued for expected sleet accumulations of less than 1/2 inch.

SNOW ADVISORY: Used when snowfall amounts are below warning criteria, but nonetheless pose a hazard to the public. Issued for average snowfall amounts of less than 4" in a 12 hour period. Forecast amounts would be 1-2", 1-3", 2-4", or around 3".

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY: Used when a mixture of precipitation is expected such as snow, sleet, and freezing rain or freezing drizzle, but will not reach warning criteria.

DENSE FOG ADVISORY: Used when dense fog covers a widespread area and reduces visibility to 1/4 mile or less, and frequently near zero.

FROST ADVISORY: Issued during the growing season to indicate formation of widespread frost. Overnight lows in the lower or middle 30s accompanied by light winds will usually result in widespread frost.

HEAT ADVISORY: Issued for expected daytime heat indices above 105F and nighttime heat indices above 80F for two or more consecutive days.

WIND ADVISORY (also LAKE WIND ADVISORY): Wind Advisory issued when sustained winds of 30 mph or greater are expected to last for 1 hour or more or for gusts of 45 to 57 mph for any duration. Lake Wind Advisory issued for area lakes when sustained winds of 30 mph or more are expected.

URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD ADVISORY: Alerts the public to flooding which is generally only an inconvenience and does not pose a threat to life and/or property. Issued when heavy rain will cause flooding of streets and low-lying places in urban areas, or if small rural or urban streams are expected to reach or exceed bankfull.

URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD ADVISORY: Alerts the public to flooding which is generally only an inconvenience and does not pose a threat to life and/or property. Issued when heavy rain will cause flooding of streets and low-lying places in urban areas, or if small rural or urban streams are expected to reach or exceed bankfull.

HEALTH ADVISORY: Issued by the Lawrence County South Dakota Air Pollution District when ground level ozone readings are expected to reach the moderate level. Persons with heart or respiratory problems should reduce physical exertion and outdoor activity.

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT: Issued when the forecaster wants to follow up a warning with important information on the progress of severe weather elements.

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT: Issued to convey update information about severe weather watches.

SHORT TERM FORECAST (NOWCAST): A short term forecast designed to give specific, detailed forecast information for the next 1 to 6 hours on a county-by-county basis. Both routine and near-severe information are contained in these forecasts which are routinely issued several times per day, and more often during busy weather periods.

LOCAL STORM REPORT: Used to distribute severe weather reports to the media, emergency managers, and other NWS offices. It is issued as reports are received, and may also be issued as a collection of all reports received after an event is over. Delayed reports are disseminated after an event is over as well.

WEATHER WATCH REDEFINING STATEMENT: Issued for every tornado and severe thunderstorm watch that affects a state. It lists the type of watch, its corresponding number, the ending time of the watch, all counties included in the watch, and large cities and towns in the watch area.

OZONE ACTION DAY: A "heads-up" message issued by the Lawrence County South Dakota Air Pollution District if ozone levels may reach dangerous levels the next day. This message encourages residents to prevent air pollution by postponing the use of motor vehicles, boats, mowing the lawn, and filling their vehicle's gas tank; also recommends car pooling.

HEALTH BULLETIN: Issued by the Lawrence County South Dakota Air Pollution District when ground level ozone readings are expected to reach the upper-moderate level. Elderly and persons with heart or respiratory problems should stay indoors and reduce physical activity. Motorists are asked to reduce unnecessary driving by using car pools or public transportation.

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT: Used as a follow-up to Flash Flood Warnings and Watches. The statement will contain the latest information on the event.

FLOOD POTENTIAL OUTLOOK: Used to inform the public of the potential for heavy rain and/or large scale river flooding. Issued more than 12 hours in advance of a possible event.

FLOOD STATEMENT (RIVER): Used to update and expand information in a river Flood Warning. May also be used in lieu of a Flood Warning if flooding is expected or imminent, but does not pose a threat to life and/or property.

RIVER STATEMENT: Used to provide information about non-routine, non-flooding situations on main stem rivers.

RIVER SUMMARY: Contains routine and forecast hydrological information, such as observed river readings, precipitation reports, and river forecasts.

RIVER RECREATION STATEMENT: Commonly used to provide forecasts of the pool and outflow for various reservoirs across a Hydrologic Service Area.

Anything in Red is important, please pay close attention to these and take immediate action!

Anything in Green is important, please pay close attention to these and take immediate action!

Anything in Blue is just as important as the ones in Red & Green and these should be taken seriously and be preparing

Anything in Purple is just as important as the ones in Blue and should be prepared for as these actions may need to be taken, weather can change rapidly, and some of these do not need to be happening over you for them to occur.

WARNING:

IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, SEEK SHELTER IMEDIATLY, INSIDE A STUDEY STRUCTURE, STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS, AND DO NOT GO OUT IN THE STORM. IF A WEATHER EVENT IS NEAR YOUR LOCATION SEEK SHELTER WITHIN A BASEMENT, IF A BASEMENT IS NOT AVAILABLE SEEK SHELTER IN THE INNER MOST PART OF THE STRUCTURE (AN INTERIOR BATHROOM OR BEDROOM WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF WINDOWS AND PUTS THE MOST WALL BETWEEN YOU AND THE STORM), IF YOU ARE IN A MOBILE HOME, OR AUTOMOBILE ABANDON THEM AND SEEK SHELTER IN A STURDY STRUCTURE (TYPICALLY A STORM SHELTER), DO NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER HIGHWAY OVERPASSES THIS OFFERS NO PROTECTION WHATSOEVER; YOUR CAR ALSO DOESN’T PROVIDE PROTECTION. IF A STRUCTURE IS NOT AVAILABLE LYE FLAT IN A RAVINE OR LOW DITCH, COVERING YOUR HEAD AND NECK. AS WITH ANY STORM STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND TREE'S AVOID GOING OUTSIDE TILL THE DANGER HAS PAST.

FLASH FLOODING CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING FROM A HEAVY THUNDERSTORM, AND THE THUNDERSTORM DOESN'T HAVE TO BE OVER YOU TO CAUSE FLASH FLOODING DOWNSTREAM. DO NOT WALK THRU MOVING WATER. SIX INCHES OF MOVING WATER CAN MAKE YOU FALL. IF YOU HAVE TO WALK IN WATER, WALK WHERE THE WATER IS NOT MOVING. USE A STICK TO CHECK THE FIRMNESS OF THE GROUND IN FRONT OF YOU. DO NOT DRIVE INTO FLOODED AREAS. IF FLOODWATERS RISE AROUND YOUR CAR, ABANDON YOUR CAR AND MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IF YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY. YOU AND YOUR VEHICLE CAN BE QUICKLY SWEPT AWAY.

DO NOT COME OUT OF YOUR SAFE PLACE UNTILL THE ALL CLEAR HAS SOUNDED OR SUFFICIENT TIME HAS PASSED FOR THE STORM TO COMPLETELY HAVE PASSED, ALWAYS KEEP A NOAA RADIO WITH FRESH BATTERIES, AND OR A RADIO TUNED TO LOCAL CHANNELS HANDY TO LISTEN IN ON NEWS REPORTS INCASE THE ALL CLEAR SIRENS WERE TAKEN DOWN OR DAMAGED IN THE STORM. THOSE WHO HEED THESE WARNINGS WILL TELL YOU IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS BEING TOO PREPARED.

DISCLAIMER: Weather information is provided without warranty of any kind as to accuracy or timeliness, and should never be used to make decisions during a weather emergency.

WINTER WEATHER:

When winter temperatures drop significantly below normal, staying warm and safe can become a challenge. Extremely cold temperatures often accompany a winter storm, so you may have to cope with power failures and icy roads. Although staying indoors as much as possible can help reduce the risk of car crashes and falls on the ice, you may also face indoor hazards. Many homes will be too cold—either due to a power failure or because the heating system isn't adequate for the weather. When people must use space heaters and fireplaces to stay warm, the risk of household fires increases, as well as the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Exposure to cold temperatures, whether indoors or outside, can cause other serious or life-threatening health problems. Infants and the elderly are particularly at risk, but anyone can be affected. To keep yourself and your family safe, you should know how to prevent cold-related health problems and what to do if a cold-weather health emergency arises.

The emergency procedures outlined here are not a substitute for training in first aid. However, these procedures will help you to know when to seek medical care and what to do until help becomes available.

What Is Extreme Cold?

What constitutes extreme cold and its effects can vary across different areas of the country. In regions relatively unaccustomed to winter weather, near freezing temperatures are considered “extreme cold.” Whenever temperatures drop decidedly below normal and as wind speed increases, heat can leave your body more rapidly. These weather related conditions may lead to serious health problems. Extreme cold is a dangerous situation that can bring on health emergencies in susceptible people, such as those without shelter or who are stranded, or who live in a home that is poorly insulated or without heat.

Plan Ahead

Prepare for extremely cold weather every winter—it’s always a possibility. There are steps you can take in advance for greater wintertime safety in your home and in your car.

Emergency Supplies List:

  • an alternate way to heat your home during a power failure:
    • dry firewood for a fireplace or wood stove, or
    • kerosene for a kerosene heater
  • furnace fuel (coal, propane, or oil)
  • electric space heater with automatic shut-off switch and non-glowing elements
  • blankets
  • matches
  • multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher
  • first aid kit and instruction manual
  • flashlight or battery-powered lantern
  • battery-powered radio
  • battery-powered clock or watch
  • extra batteries
  • non-electric can opener
  • snow shovel
  • rock salt
  • special needs items (diapers, hearing aid batteries, medications, etc.)

Winter Survival Kit for Your Home

Keep several days’ supply of these items:

  • Food that needs no cooking or refrigeration, such as bread, crackers, cereal, canned foods, and dried fruits. Remember baby food and formula if you have young children.
  • Water stored in clean containers, or purchased bottled water (5 gallons per person) in case your water pipes freeze and rupture.
  • Medicines that any family member may need.

If your area is prone to long periods of cold temperatures, or if your home is isolated, stock additional amounts of food, water, and medicine.

Prepare Your Home for Winter

Although periods of extreme cold cannot always be predicted far in advance, weather forecasts can sometimes provide you with several days’ notice. Listen to weather forecasts regularly, and check your emergency supplies whenever a period of extreme cold is predicted.

If you plan to use a fireplace or wood stove for emergency heating, have your chimney or flue inspected each year. Ask your local fire department to recommend an inspector, or find one in the yellow pages of your telephone directory under “chimney cleaning.”

Also, if you’ll be using a fireplace, wood stove, or kerosene heater, install a smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector near the area to be heated. Test them monthly, and replace batteries twice yearly.

Your ability to feel a change in temperature decreases with age, and older people are more susceptible to health problems caused by cold. If you are over 65 years old, place an easy-to-read thermometer in an indoor location where you will see it frequently, and check the temperature of your home often during the winter months.

Insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls so your water supply will be less likely to freeze. To the extent possible, weatherproof your home by adding weather-stripping, insulation, insulated doors and storm windows, or thermal-pane windows.

If you have pets, bring them indoors. If you cannot bring them inside, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure that they have access to unfrozen water.

Prepare Your Car for Winter

You can avoid many dangerous winter travel problems by planning ahead. Have maintenance service on your vehicle as often as the manufacturer recommends. In addition, every fall:

  • Have the radiator system serviced, or check the antifreeze level yourself with an antifreeze tester. Add antifreeze, as needed.
  • Replace windshield-wiper fluid with a wintertime mixture.
  • Replace any worn tires, and check the air pressure in the tires.

During winter, keep the gas tank near full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.

Winter Survival Kit for Your Car

Equip your car with these items:

  • blankets
  • first aid kit
  • a can and waterproof matches (to melt snow for water)
  • windshield scraper
  • booster cables
  • road maps
  • mobile phone
  • compass
  • tool kit
  • paper towels
  • bag of sand or cat litter (to pour on ice or snow for added traction)
  • tow rope
  • tire chains (in areas with heavy snow)
  • collapsible shovel
  • container of water and high-calorie canned or dried foods and a can opener
  • flashlight and extra batteries
  • canned compressed air with sealant (for emergency tire repair)
  • brightly colored cloth

Indoor Safety

Heat Your Home Safely

If you plan to use a wood stove, fireplace, or space heater, be extremely careful. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions as well as the home safety measures on page 3, and remember these safety tips:

  • Use fireplace, wood stoves, or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak flue gas into the indoor air space.
  • Do not burn paper in a fireplace.
  • Ensure adequate ventilation if you must use a kerosene heater.
  • Use only the type of fuel your heater is designed to use—don’t substitute.
  • Do not place a space heater within 3 feet of anything that may catch on fire, such as drapes, furniture, or bedding, and never cover your space heater.
  • Never place a space heater on top of furniture or near water.
  • Never leave children unattended near a space heater.
  • Make sure that the cord of an electric space heater is not a tripping hazard but do not run the cord under carpets or rugs.
  • Avoid using extension cords to plug in your space heater.
  • If your space heater has a damaged electrical cord or produces sparks, do not use it.
  • Store a multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher near the area to be heated.
  • Protect yourself from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning by installing a battery-operated CO detector and never using generators, grills, camp stoves, or similar devices indoors.

Light and Cook Safely

If there is a power failure:

  • Use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns rather than candles, if possible.
  • Never leave lit candles unattended.
  • Never use a charcoal or gas grill indoors—the fumes are deadly.

Never use an electric generator indoors, inside the garage, or near the air intake of your house because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning:

  • Plug in appliances to the generator using individual heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords.
  • Do not use the generator or appliances if they are wet because of the risk of electrocution.
  • Do not store gasoline indoors where the fumes could ignite.

Conserve Heat

You may need fresh air coming in for your heater or for emergency cooking arrangements. However, if you don’t need extra ventilation, keep as much heat as possible inside your home. Avoid unnecessary opening of doors or windows. Close off unneeded rooms, stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors, and close draperies or cover windows with blankets at night.

Monitor Body Temperature

Infants less than one year old should never sleep in a cold room because (1) infants lose body heat more easily than adults; and (2) unlike adults, infants can’t make enough body heat by shivering. Provide warm clothing for infants and try to maintain a warm indoor temperature. If the temperature cannot be maintained, make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere. In an emergency, you can keep an infant warm using your own body heat. If you must sleep, take precautions to prevent rolling on the baby. Pillows and other soft bedding can also present a risk of smothering; remove them from the area near the baby.

Older adults often make less body heat because of a slower metabolism and less physical activity. If you are over 65 years of age, check the temperature in your home often during severely cold weather. Also, check on elderly friends and neighbors frequently to ensure that their homes are adequately heated.

Keep a Water Supply

Extreme cold can cause water pipes in your home to freeze and sometimes rupture. When very cold temperatures are expected:

  • Leave all water taps slightly open so they drip continuously.
  • Keep the indoor temperature warm.
  • Improve the circulation of heated air near pipes. For example, open kitchen cabinet doors beneath the kitchen sink.

If your pipes do freeze, do not thaw them with a torch. Instead, thaw them slowly by directing the warm air from an electric hair dryer onto the pipes.

If you cannot thaw your pipes, or the pipes are ruptured, use bottled water or get water from a neighbor’s home. As an emergency measure—if no other water is available—snow can be melted for water. Bringing water to a rolling boil for one minute will kill most microorganisms or parasites that may be present, but won’t remove chemical pollutants sometimes found in snow.

Eat and Drink Wisely

Eating well-balanced meals will help you stay warmer. Do not drink alcoholic or caffeinated beverages—they cause your body to lose heat more rapidly. Instead, drink warm, sweet beverages or broth to help maintain your body temperature. If you have any dietary restrictions, ask your doctor.

Outdoor Safety

When the weather is extremely cold, and especially if there are high winds, try to stay indoors. Make any trips outside as brief as possible, and remember these tips to protect your health and safety:

Dress Warmly and Stay Dry

Adults and children should wear:

  • a hat
  • a scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth
  • sleeves that are snug at the wrist
  • mittens (they are warmer than gloves)
  • water-resistant coat and boots
  • several layers of loose-fitting clothing

Be sure the outer layer of your clothing is tightly woven, preferably wind resistant, to reduce body-heat loss caused by wind. Wool, silk, or polypropylene inner layers of clothing will hold more body heat than cotton. Stay dry—wet clothing chills the body rapidly. Excess perspiration will increase heat loss, so remove extra layers of clothing whenever you feel too warm. Also, avoid getting gasoline or alcohol on your skin while de-icing and fueling your car or using a snow blower. These materials in contact with the skin greatly increase heat loss from the body. Do not ignore shivering. It’s an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors.

Avoid Exertion

Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, follow your doctor’s advice about shoveling snow or performing other hard work in the cold. Otherwise, if you have to do heavy outdoor chores dress warmly and work slowly. Remember, your body is already working hard just to stay warm, so don’t overdo it.

Understand Wind Chill

The Wind Chill index is the temperature your body feels when the air temperature is combined with the wind speed. It is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by the effects of wind and cold. As the speed of the wind increases, it can carry heat away from your body much more quickly, causing skin temperature to drop. When there are high winds, serious weather-related health problems are more likely, even when temperatures are only cool.

The Wind Chill Chart below shows the difference between actual air temperature and perceived temperature, and amount of time until frostbite occurs.

Wind Chill Chart - Adopted from National Weather Service (NWS) Chart

Avoid Ice

Walking on ice is extremely dangerous. Many cold-weather injuries result from falls on ice-covered sidewalks, steps, driveways, and porches. Keep your steps and walkways as free of ice as possible by using rock salt or another chemical de-icing compound. Sand may also be used on walkways to reduce the risk of slipping.

Be Safe During Recreation

Notify friends and family where you will be before you go hiking, camping, or skiing. Do not leave areas of the skin exposed to the cold. Avoid perspiring or becoming overtired. Be prepared to take emergency shelter. Pack dry clothing, a two-wave radio, waterproof matches and paraffin fire starters with you. Do not use alcohol and other mood altering substances, and avoid caffeinated beverages. Avoid walking on ice or getting wet. Carefully watch for signs of cold-weather health problems.

Be Cautious About Travel

  • Listen for radio or television reports of travel advisories issued by the National Weather Service.
  • Do not travel in low visibility conditions.
  • Avoid traveling on ice-covered roads, overpasses, and bridges if at all possible.
  • If you must travel by car, use tire chains and take a mobile phone with you.
  • If you must travel, let someone know your destination and when you expect to arrive. Ask them to notify authorities if you are late.
  • Check and restock the winter emergency supplies in your car before you leave.
  • Never pour water on your windshield to remove ice or snow; shattering may occur.
  • Don’t rely on a car to provide sufficient heat; the car may break down.
  • Always carry additional warm clothing appropriate for the winter conditions.

What to Do if You Get Stranded

Staying in your vehicle when stranded is often the safest choice if winter storms create poor visibility or if roadways are ice covered. These steps will increase your safety when stranded:

  • Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna as a signal to rescuers and raise the hood of the car (if it is not snowing).
  • Move anything you need from the trunk into the passenger area.
  • Wrap your entire body, including your head, in extra clothing, blankets, or newspapers.
  • Stay awake. You will be less vulnerable to cold-related health problems.
  • Run the motor (and heater) for about 10 minutes per hour, opening one window slightly to let in air. Make sure that snow is not blocking the exhaust pipe—this will reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs to improve your circulation and stay warmer.
  • Do not eat un-melted snow because it will lower your body temperature.
  • Huddle with other people for warmth.

Cold-Weather Health Emergencies

Serious health problems can result from prolonged exposure to the cold. The most common cold-related problems are hypothermia and frostbite.

Hypothermia

When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.

Hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, but it can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.

Victims of hypothermia are often (1) elderly people with inadequate food, clothing, or heating; (2) babies sleeping in cold bedrooms; (3) people who remain outdoors for long periods—the homeless, hikers, hunters, etc.; and (4) people who drink alcohol or use illicit drugs.

Recognizing Hypothermia

Warnings signs of hypothermia:

Adults:

  • shivering, exhaustion
  • confusion, fumbling hands
  • memory loss, slurred speech
  • drowsiness

Infants:

  • bright red, cold skin
  • very low energy

What to Do

If you notice any of these signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95°, the situation is an emergency—get medical attention immediately.

If medical care is not available, begin warming the person, as follows:

  • Get the victim into a warm room or shelter.
  • If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it.
  • Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head, and groin—using an electric blanket, if available. Or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
  • Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.
  • After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.
  • Get medical attention as soon as possible.

A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case, handle the victim gently, and get emergency assistance immediately. Even if the victim appears dead, CPR should be provided. CPR should continue while the victim is being warmed, until the victim responds or medical aid becomes available. In some cases, hypothermia victims who appear to be dead can be successfully resuscitated.

Frostbite

Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation. The risk of frostbite is increased in people with reduced blood circulation and among people who are not dressed properly for extremely cold temperatures.

Recognizing Frostbite

At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin—frostbite may be beginning. Any of the following signs may indicate frostbite:

  • a white or grayish-yellow skin area
  • skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
  • numbness

A victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb.

What to Do

If you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care. Because frostbite and hypothermia both result from exposure, first determine whether the victim also shows signs of hypothermia, as described previously. Hypothermia is a more serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance.

If (1) there is frostbite but no sign of hypothermia and (2) immediate medical care is not available, proceed as follows:

  • Get into a warm room as soon as possible.
  • Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes—this increases the damage.
  • Immerse the affected area in warm—not hot—water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body).
  • Or, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers.
  • Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage.
  • Don’t use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned.

These procedures are not substitutes for proper medical care. Hypothermia is a medical emergency and frostbite should be evaluated by a health care provider. It is a good idea to take a first aid and emergency resuscitation (CPR) course to prepare for cold-weather health problems. Knowing what to do is an important part of protecting your health and the health of others.

Taking preventive action is your best defense against having to deal with extreme cold-weather conditions. By preparing your home and car in advance for winter emergencies, and by observing safety precautions during times of extremely cold weather, you can reduce the risk of weather-related health problems.

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