As Texans brace for a winter storm, it’s important to have everything you might need in an emergency situation. Even if your area has little to no risk of wintery precipitation, freezing temperatures can be just as dangerous.
Here are some essentials for enduring a winter storm, as recommended by the National Weather Service:
People are also reading: Here’s how so stay safe in rain, sleet and snow as winter weather arrives in Central Texas
At home and work
Your primary concerns at home or work during a winter storm are loss of heat, power and telephone service and a shortage of supplies if storm conditions continue for more than a day. In either place, you should have available:
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Flashlight and extra batteries.
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Extra food and water such as dried fruit, nuts, granola bars and other food requiring no cooking or refrigeration. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests avoiding salty or spicy foods, which tend to require more water intake. Don’t forget paper plates, cups and disposable utensils needed to eat and drink.
CDC: How to create and store an emergency water supply
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Extra prescription medicine.
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Baby items such as diapers and formula (if applicable).
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Heating fuel: refuel before you are empty; fuel carriers may not reach you for days after a winter storm.
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Emergency heat source: fireplace, wood stove or space heater properly ventilated to prevent a fire.
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Fire extinguisher, smoke alarm; test smoke alarms monthly to ensure they work properly.
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Extra pet food and warm shelter for pets.
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Make sure your carbon monoxide detector is working correctly and that the outside vent is clear of leaves and debris. During or after the storm, make sure it is cleared of snow.
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Home fires are common each winter when trying to stay warm. Review ways to keep your home and loved ones safe.
Also read: Should you drip or stream faucets during freeze warnings? What to know if you live in Texas
In vehicles
The National Weather Service recommends keeping an emergency supply kit in your car, especially if you plan to travel in winter weather.
Although traveling in winter weather should be avoided when possible, it might be necessary for some situations. Road conditions can be more dangerous than anticipated, especially in cases of black ice, so take it slow. The weather service suggests driving as if you are on ice if the temperature is near freezing.
Before setting out for a longer drive, it’s important to ensure all fluid levels are full, including your gas tank, and that lights, heater and windshield wipers are working and in the proper condition. If you must travel alone tell someone the times you plan to arrive at each location, as well as the primary and alternative routes you intend on taking.
Texas drivers can also call 511 or visit the DriveTexas site to get the most up-to-date road conditions and traffic information, provided by the Texas Department of Transportation. It is also good practice to keep an emergency supply kit in your vehicle at all times. Here’s what the National Weather Service recommends including in a vehicle’s winter storm survival kit:
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Mobile phone, charger, batteries
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Flashlight with extra batteries
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High-calorie, nonperishable food
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Extra clothing to keep dry
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Large empty can to use as emergency toilet, tissues, toilet paper and paper towels
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Small can and waterproof matches to melt snow for drinking water
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Sack of sand or cat litter for traction
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Windshield scraper and brush
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Candle and matches to provide light and in an emergency, lifesaving heat
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Compass and road maps, don’t depend on mobile devices with limited battery life
For pet owners, farmers
Please remember to care for your pets and other animals during winter weather: If you’re cold, they probably are, too! Here are some tips from the weather service:
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Move animals to sheltered areas or bring pets inside. Shelter belts, properly laid out and oriented, are better protection for cattle than confining shelters, such as sheds.
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Haul extra feed to nearby feeding areas.
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Have water available. Most animals die from dehydration in winter storms.
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Make sure pets have plenty of food and water and a warm shelter.
What’s the difference between a watch and a warning? Know your severe weather terms
The National Weather Service uses three categories to indicate the severity of weather. In winter weather, these include a winter storm warning, a winter storm watch and a winter weather advisory. A winter weather advisory is the most mild, while a winter storm warning is the most serious.
Here’s how the weather service defines each:
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Winter weather advisory: Winter weather is expected. Exercise caution. Light amounts of wintry precipitation or patchy blowing snow will cause slick conditions and could affect travel if precautions are not taken.
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Winter storm watch: Snow, sleet and ice is possible! Be prepared. Confidence is medium that a winter storm could produce heavy snow, sleet or freezing rain and cause significant impacts.
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Winter storm warning: Snow, sleet and ice is expected! Take action! Confidence is high that a winter storm could produce heavy snow, sleet or freezing rain and cause significant impacts. Travel will become difficult or impossible in some situations. Delay your travel plans until conditions improve.
What’s the difference between freezing rain and sleet? What does wind chill mean?
While you probably know how rain differs from snow, the two categories between them can be harder to differentiate. The weather service provides the following definitions for freezing rain and sleet, as well as wind chill:
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Freezing Rain: Rain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees, and power lines.
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Sleet: Rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes moisture on roads to freeze and become slippery.
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Wind Chill: A measure of how cold people feel due to the combined effect of wind and cold temperatures; the Wind Chill Index is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin. Both cold temperatures and wind remove heat from the body; as the wind speed increases during cold conditions, a body loses heat more quickly. Eventually, the internal body temperature also falls and hypothermia can develop. Animals also feel the effects of wind chill; but inanimate objects, such as vehicles and buildings, do not. They will only cool to the actual air temperature, although much faster during windy conditions.
What are other winter-related weather warnings?
The National Weather Service also outlines requirements for other winter weather warnings, along with recommended responses:
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Blizzard Warnings are issued for frequent gusts greater than or equal to 35 mph accompanied by falling and/or blowing snow, frequently reducing visibility to less than 1/4 mile for three hours or more. A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely, leading to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely difficult. Do not travel. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle and wait for help to arrive.
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Winter Storm Warnings are issued for a significant winter weather event, including snow, ice, sleet or blowing snow, or a combination of these hazards.
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Ice Storm Warnings are usually issued for ice accumulation of around 1/4 inch or more. This amount of ice accumulation will make travel dangerous or impossible and likely lead to snapped power lines and falling tree branches. Travel is strongly discouraged.
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Wind Chill Warnings are issued for a combination of very cold air and strong winds that will create dangerously low wind chill values. This level of wind chill will result in frostbite and lead to hypothermia if precautions are not taken. Avoid going outdoors and wear warm protective clothing if you must venture outside. See the NWS Wind Chill Chart.
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Lake Effect Snow Warnings are issued when widespread or localized lake-induced snow squalls or heavy showers are expected to produce significant snowfall accumulation. Lake effect snow usually develops in narrow bands and impacts a limited area. These bands can produce very heavy snow with sudden restrictions in visibility. Driving conditions may become hazardous at times.
Other types of winter weather advisories
As the weather service’s categories indicate, advisories are less serious than watches and warnings – but precautions should still be taken to ensure your safety.
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Wind Chill Advisories are issued when low wind chill temperatures are expected but will not reach local warning criteria. Extremely cold air and strong winds will combine to generate low wind chill readings. If you must venture outdoors, take precautions against frostbite and hypothermia.
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Lake Effect Snow Advisory are issued for widespread or localized lake effect snowfall accumulation (and blowing snow) remaining below warning criteria. Expects lake effect snow showers and assume travel will be difficult in some areas. Some localized snow bands will be intense enough to produce several inches in a few areas with sudden restrictions in visibility.
What is a wind chill watch?
“Wind Chill Watches are issued when there is the potential for a combination of extremely cold air and strong winds to create dangerously low wind chill values,” the NWS explains.
A wind chill watch is separate from a winter storm watch, which focuses on precipitation rather than air and wind.
See wind chill chart: NWS
The wind chill temperature refers to how cold it feels according to the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by wind and cold. As the wind increases, it draws heat from the body, driving down skin temperature and eventually the internal body temperature.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 28 winter weather essentials for staying safe in your home, vehicle