☃️❄️Winter Storm Check In Here❄️☃️

[littlemissmartypants]

The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Watches and Warnings for North Carolina as a significant winter storm approaches our region.

It is advised that you complete your storm preparations by this evening, remain home until conditions improve, and review all available resources to help you stay safe and informed during the storm. Some of this information is from the most recent briefing from the National Weather Service, but information will likely change as the storm arrives.

Icy Conditions: Avoid Driving if you can!
 
Freezing conditions will make roads very dangerous. Officials encourage you to remain home until road conditions improve.

Driving in Inclement Weather ...practice the
~Rain, Ice and Snow, Take It Slow~ rule.

Drivers
•Check DriveNC.gov for possible road closures or hazards. 
• Prepare: Pack blankets, water and snacks, a flashlight, a first aid and car emergency supply kit;
• Check: Ensure your gas tank is at least half full;
• Driving: Increase your following distance and reduce your driving speed.

At home Winter Weather Tips
 
Shovel Smart
•Check your health, remember blood vessels constrict in the cold affecting blood pressure;
• Dress warmly, making sure to cover your head, fingers, and toes;
• Stay hydrated, but avoid heavy meals right before or after shoveling;
• Move only small amounts of snow with each pass of the shovel;
• Take frequent breaks.

Power Outages
• Be careful with heat sources; candles and space heaters are a fire risk. Stay warm by bundling up, use winter weight sleeping bags, keep doors closed, place towels in cracks, blankets over open doorways between rooms;
• Practice portable generator safety; use outdoors, at least 20 feet away from doors/windows/garages to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning;
•Plan no cook meals if you rely on your microwave or electric stove to cook;
• Check on neighbors; once your family is safe, check on your neighbors to make sure they are OK.

Don't Slip
•Use table salt on steps if you have to;
• Walk on treated or non-icy surfaces with better traction, if possible;
• Wear proper winter footwear with rubber treads;
• Take slow, short steps so you'll be able to react to icy conditions.

Take Care of Pets
• Keep them warm and dry, and indoors whenever possible;
• Provide plenty of food and water; 
• When outside, protect their paws from salt cuts and stings, keep them bundled up;
• Limit outside time, clean and inspect paws when bringing them in inside.

Energy Saving Tips
• Reduce your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting.  The closer you match your thermostat to outdoor temperatures, the more you can save.
• Leave drapes or blinds open on the sunny side of the home to allow the sun's rays to warm the house but close them at night to help insulate your home.
• Operate ceiling fans in a clockwise direction in the winter to push warm air back down into the room.

Remember that you can check weather watches and warnings plus air quality on the automatically updating page here:

https://democraticunderground.com/10697503

The wearher update discussion thread is pinned at the top of the NC Group posts for quick future reference.

Reach out if you need help! Let us know how you're doing! Stay warm, be safe and let us know if you need something. DUers do care. Stay encouraged. 🌞

❤️pants