At Home and at Work

The main concerns are losing heat, power, telephone service, or running short of supplies if a storm breaks. To be prepared, have available:

• Flashlight and extra batteries.

• Battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and portable (AM-FM) radio to receive emergency information. These may be your links to the outside world.

• Extra food and water. High energy food, such as dried fruit or candy, and food requiring no cooking or refrigeration is best.

• Extra supply of medicine and baby items.

• First aid kit.

• Heating fuel. Fuel carriers may not reach you for days after a bad winter storm.

• Emergency heating source, such as a fireplace, wood stove, space heater, etc. Learn to use it properly to prevent a fire. Have proper ventilation.

• Fire extinguisher and smoke detector. Test units regularly to ensure they are working right.

On the Farm

• Move animals to sheltered areas.

• Haul extra feed to nearby feeding areas.

• Have a water supply available. Most storm-related animal deaths occur from dehydration.

In Cars and Trucks

• Plan your travel and check the latest weather reports on current conditions.

• Fully check and winterize your vehicle before the winter season begins.

• Carry winter storm survival supplies. (See University of Maine Cooperative Extension Emergency Preparedness Fact Sheet #9023, "Safe Winter Driving.")

• Keep your gas tank near full to prevent ice in the tank and fuel lines, which could leave you stranded.

• Try not to travel alone.

• Let someone know your primary and alternate routes and schedule.

Return to Emergency Response Fact Sheets table of contents

Source: "Prepare before Winter Storms Strike," Winter Storm Preparedness Series, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Cooperative Extension Service, 1995. Reviewed by John W. Donovan, Extension educator.

For more information on emergency preparedness, contact your county UMaine Extension office.

©1998
Published and distributed in furtherance of Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the Land Grant University of the state of Maine and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Cooperative Extension and other agencies of the U.S.D.A. provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.