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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 10, 2007
No. 07-180
KANSANS URGED TO PREPARE FOR SIGNIFICANT ICE STORM
Weather forecasters are predicting a powerful ice storm will hit Kansas
late this afternoon (Monday, Dec. 10) and will continue through Wednesday,
Dec. 12. National Weather Service is forecasting ice accumulations between
a quarter inch to two inches across the state with a potential for power
outages and downed trees and limbs.
The Kansas Division of Emergency Management urges all Kansans to be ready
for this storm by having a home emergency kit, including food, water,
medications, extra clothing, flashlights and batteries, a battery-operated
NOAA weather radio and other necessities.
“Kansans have seen plenty of challenging weather conditions this
year and it appears we are in for some very difficult hours ahead,”
said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, director of Kansas Division of Emergency Management
and the adjutant general of Kansas. “We are monitoring this storm
closely and getting regular updates from meteorologists at the National
Weather Service. We’re making contact with county emergency managers
around the state and we’ve put our public safety team, which includes
the Kansas National Guard, on alert that their services may be needed
to help Kansans with critical response assistance for hard hit areas."
“With potential power outages, it’s critical everyone has an
emergency kit in their home,” Bunting said. “You may not be
able to travel to a store and you may be without water or heat for several
days, so having what you need in advance could be the difference between
life and death.”
Ice Storm Safety
After an ice storm you may not have either natural gas or electric heat
for your home, you can keep warm by closing off rooms you don’t need
and use only safe sources of heat, like wood and other fuel-burning stoves.
Other guidelines to follow are:
- Stay inside.
- If you do not have heat inside, close off unneeded rooms, stuff towels
or rags in cracks under doors, and cover the windows at night.
- When using an alternate heat source, such as a fireplace, wood stove,
or a space heater, practice fire safeguards and properly ventilate.
- Before you start a fire in a wood burning stove or fireplace make
sure there are not obvious cracks in the flue and the chimney is structurally
sound. It’s important that your heating source has been checked.
Make sure there is plenty of ventilation. Use only the fuel designed
for your heater. Do not use charcoal to warm your house - the fumes
may create or emit carbon monoxide. Never use gasoline or other flammable
liquids to start a fire. Always keep a screen around an open flame and
don’t close the damper while ashes are still hot. Never use
a generator in enclosed or partially-enclosed spaces. When you
use a portable generator, remember that you cannot smell or see carbon
monoxide. Even if you can’t smell exhaust fumes, you may still
be exposed to carbon monoxide.
- Eat and drink. Food provides the body with energy for producing its
own heat. Keep the body replenished with fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Dress in
several layers of lightweight clothing, and wear a cap -- most of your
body heat is lost through your head.
- Remove layers if needed, if you are actually overheating or perspiring,
to avoid becoming chilled.
- Keep ahead of the storm by listening to local radio, TV and NOAA Weather
Radio, for the latest winter storm watches, warnings, and advisories.
- When your electricity goes off, you should keep your refrigerator
and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.
The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about four hours if
it is unopened. A fully loaded freezer should keep food frozen for one
to two days if the door isn't opened. A full freezer will hold the temperature
for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door
remains closed.
- Be prepared for an emergency by having items on hand that don’t
require refrigeration and can be eaten cold or heated on the outdoor
grill.
- Shelf-stable food, boxed or canned milk, water, and canned goods should
be part of a planned emergency food supply. Make sure you have ready-to-use
baby formula for infants and pet food. Remember to use these items and
replace them in your emergency preparedness kit from time to time. Be
sure to keep a hand-held can opener for an emergency.
- Do not place food from the refrigerator or freezer out in the snow.
Frozen food can thaw if it is exposed to the sun's rays even when the
temperature is very cold. Refrigerated food may become too warm and
foodborne bacteria could grow. The outside temperature could vary hour
by hour and the temperature outside will not protect refrigerated and
frozen food. Additionally, perishable items could be exposed to unsanitary
conditions or to animals. Animals may harbor bacteria or disease; never
consume food that has come in contact with an animal.
- Rather than putting the food outside, consider taking advantage of
the cold temperatures by making ice. Fill buckets, empty milk cartons
or cans with water and leave them outside to freeze. Then put the homemade
ice in your refrigerator, freezer, or coolers.
Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:
- Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days,
for drinking and sanitation
- Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food for each
person
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with
tone alert and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
- Local maps
- Keep in mind that during a severe winter storm it could be hours before
emergency personnel are able to reach you.
Highway Travel
Road travel is discouraged during storm situations, but if you must travel,
make sure your vehicle’s fuel tank is full.
"As roads become slick due to deteriorating weather conditions,
it will be important to limit our travel plans," said Col. William
Seck, Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol. "Tragically, six
people lost their lives in traffic crashes in Kansas during the past weekend.
Four of the six deaths were attributed to crashes that took place during
slick conditions."
By calling 5-1-1 from anywhere in Kansas – or 1-866-511-KDOT (5368)
from anywhere in the U.S. – travelers can hear up-to-date, route-specific
road conditions, construction detours and travel weather information for
any Interstate, U.S. and Kansas state highways, including Kansas Turnpike
routes. Travelers also can get road condition information by visiting
http://511.ksdot.org or through KDOT’s main Web site www.ksdot.org
under “Road Conditions.” While the 511 maps may not be available
to all users, an extensive listing of state routes is available in text.
Road conditions are also available on handheld, mobile devices, such as
Blackberry or Smartphone, at http://511mm.ksdot.org.
Arrange your travel plans so you can leave well ahead of the storm front
and keep an emergency kit in your car. If you must travel during adverse
conditions, remember these important points:
- Tell someone of your travel plans and the route you will be taking
and your estimated time of arrival.
- Make time to leave earlier in the morning for work or appointments
in order to adjust to the inevitable delays due to slower traffic speeds
and collisions. Hurried motorists only further complicate the situation.
- Visibility both from the vehicle and of the vehicle is very important.
Clean frost and snow off all windows, mirrors and lights. Use headlights
if conditions dictate.
- Buckle your seatbelt and use child safety seats when appropriate.
- Accelerate and brake gently. Make turns slowly and gradually especially
at heavily traveled areas like intersections that may become icy from
snow that has melted and refrozen. If your vehicle has an anti-lock
braking system, it is imperative you understand how to use it. Reading
the vehicle owners manual will give details on this subject.
- Increase following distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead
of you. Ice or snow significantly increases stopping distances.
- Steer into the direction of a skid if your car loses traction and
begins to slide. Anticipate a second skid in the opposite direction
as the car straightens out.
If you become stranded and have a cellular phone, dial *47 in most areas
or *KTA (582) while on the Kansas Turnpike. These toll free numbers will
connect you directly to the Kansas Highway Patrol.
“Keep at least a half a tank of gas in your car at all times,”
said Bunting. “If you have just a quarter of a tank of gas and get
stranded along the highway, or stuck in traffic for a while, you’ll
quickly be on empty.”
Recommended Items to Include in a Vehicle Emergency Kit
- Shovel
- Windshield scraper and small broom
- Flashlight
- Battery powered radio
- Extra batteries
- Water
- Snack food
- Matches
- Extra hats, socks and mittens
- First aid kit with pocket knife
- Necessary medications
- Blanket(s)
- Tow chain or rope
- Road salt and sand
- Booster cables
- Emergency flares
- Fluorescent distress flag
Additional information for preparing for winter weather is available
through your county emergency management office or at the following websites:
- Kansas Division of Emergency Management - http://www.ksready.gov/winter.shtml
- U.S. Department Homeland Security - www.ready.gov
- Kansas Division of Emergency Management - http://www.ksready.gov/winter.shtml
- FEMA - http://www.fema.gov/hazard/winter/wi_before.shtm
- American Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_239_,00.html
- U.S. Department of Agricultural Food Safety and Inspection Service
- http://www.fsis.usda.gov/
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