We are under a Winter Storm Watch
…WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH
SATURDAY MORNING…
- WHAT…Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow
accumulations between 1 and 7 inches with the higher amounts
north. Ice accumulations around one tenth of an inch possible. - WHERE…Portions of north central, northeast, northwest, and west
central Georgia. - WHEN…From Friday morning through Saturday morning.
- IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions
could impact the Friday morning and evening commutes.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.
For those in the northern states, this may not be a big deal. For us in the southeast it is. Mainly because a) most counties do not have a lot of, if any snow removal/sanding equipment b) folks don’t know how to drive in winter conditions and c) many homes are not constructed for the colder temperatures.
I was raised in the northeast and traveled to many cold climates. I have lived in/worked in everything from arid desert and subtropical, to temperate and sub alpine zones. When the weather turns wintry, I stay home. Not because I can’t deal with it, but because others can’t. If you live in the southeast, are you prepared. Did you go out and buy the requisite milk, bread and eggs? For those that don’t know, these are the first item to go prior to an event like a winter storm. What happens if the power goes out? This happens during a storm and it may be a while before power is restored. Do you have alternate heating. We have a fireplace and a lot of wood to burn. Our house is fairly well insulated and the fireplace place will keep the house warm, not toasty, but warm enough. If a tree comes down on your property, can you cut it up? Do you have a chain saw? Gas? Two stroke oil? A file to sharpen the blade? Do you know how to sharpen a chainsaw blade? You may not be able to get to a store to buy a new one, if one is open at all.
Do you have study, warm clothes to work outside? Temperatures in the 20’s and 30’s can drop to near 0 degrees F with enough wind. Do you have enough warm blankets? Enough to sleep in a cold house. Which brings us to electronics.
Do you keep your cell phone charged? Do you have a way to keep it charged if there is no mains power? It may be your only link to the outside world and maybe the only entertainment center for the kiddos. How about your radios? What if you antennas come down? Do you have spares? Do you have alternate power for your radios? Do you have gasoline for your generators? Do you have heating propane? I heat with propane and one of my 2200 watt generators can run the furnace.
Do you know what hypothermia looks like? Frost nip? Frost bite? How about immersion (trench) foot. It’s these middle temperatures where these injuries are likely to occur. Once frost bitten, you will be painfully reminded of your error in judgement each time that part of your body gets cold. Trust me on this one.
Take the time to get ready. Go to the store now. Fill up your vehicle gas tanks, get gas and oil for your chainsaw. Make sure you have adequate food in the house and alternates ways to keep warm. Most of all be safe. Think through your actions before you commit. Someone will probably die as a result of poor decisions during this weather event. Don’t let it be you or yours. God Bless, my thoughts are with you. 73 — Scott
KK4Z 