This weekend, a serious winter storm will impact over 180 million Americans — or nearly half of the country’s population — across 35 states in the South, Midwest, and Northeast.
This winter storm, also called Fern by The Weather Channel, is expected to bring heavy snow, freezing rain, and extreme cold as early as tomorrow, with temperatures remaining well below normal for over a week.1
Here are a few ways you can prepare for the cold conditions (and you can find more useful tips at the Red Cross’s website here →):
- Keep cell phones and external batteries charging while you have electricity.
- Leave the faucets in every sink of your home dripping slightly, day and night — from both the hot and cold taps — to prevent pipes bursting from the extreme cold.2
- Have plenty of dry blankets and clothing on hand. Wet, cold clothing increases chances of hypothermia.
- Reduce strain on the power grid by layering clothing to keep warm, rather than turning up the heat on your thermostat.
- Research if your state has emergency warming centers, and make a plan to get to them in case of an emergency.
- Avoid traveling during the storm, unless in an emergency situation.
- If you must drive: use your hazard lights, drive slowly, and keep 3 times the normal following distance between the car ahead of you.
In case of a long-term power outage and delayed emergency services:
- Close doors within your home to conserve heat, and use towels under doors to insulate rooms.
- The Red Cross suggests having 3 days worth of the following on hand, stored in go-bags if you need to leave your home in an emergency:
- Bottled water – experts suggest having a gallon of water per person, per day, on hand.
- Food that doesn’t require refrigeration or cooking (dried fruit, nuts, canned fish or vegetables, granola bars, jerky, etc)
- Manual can opener
- Baby supplies
- Pet food
- First aid supplies (here are suggestions from the Red Cross)
- Extra prescription medications
- Batteries
- Flashlights
- Tea candles (see below on fire safety)
Carbon monoxide poisoning and fires increase during winter power outages due to people improperly heating their homes. A few tips:
- Test — or install — battery-operated carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your home, and make sure they are functioning properly.
- Never run a generator (or car) inside an enclosed space. Review generator safety tips here.
- If you are using candles for light, keep them out of the reach of children and at least 3 feet away from flammable objects like curtains, beds, and sofas. Never leave a candle burning when you go to sleep.3
And most importantly: check in with your nearby neighbors, friends, and family regularly. Senior citizens and families with young children may need an extra hand in advance of, and during, the storm.
This list is not comprehensive. You can find more useful tips on winter storm preparedness at the Red Cross’s website here →
We will be in touch as the storm progresses.
Stay safe, and keep warm,
Team AOC
1: New York Times: This Is Not an Average Winter Storm, Weather Experts Warn
2: American Red Cross: Frozen Pipes
3: National Weather Service: Home fires
