Essentials: Stocking your winter weather emergency kit

According to the National Weather Service, 35 states from Texas to the Northeastern US are under some type of winter storm alert over the next few days. The potential exists for several inches of snow + ice and sleet. The cold comes on the tail of another system that brought scattered rain and snow to parts of the East Coast over the weekend.

Varying levels of cold weather alerts will be in effect across much of the country, over the next couple of days as a bitterly cold Arctic air mass drops temperatures 10 to 40 degrees below average, according to the National Weather Service.

A winter alert means that wintry precipitation (snow, freezing rain and ice) could combine to make conditions dangerous for the next several days this week. Some power outages are possible if ice accumulates on power lines. Roads may become covered in snow and/or ice and power outages are possible. Roads may become covered in snow and/or ice and power outages are possible.

In the Upstate temperatures are expected to plummet this morning today in the low 20s with daytime highs struggling to reach the lower to mid 30s by Monday afternoon. Dangerously cold weather will keep its grip on just about all of South Carolina for most of the work week with a slow, gradual warm up by next weekend.

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) more than 16,500 people died from hypothermia or exposure to cold from 1999 to 2011, which is an average of 1,300 deaths a year.

Being prepared for severe winter weather can make all the difference in staying safe if caught in hazardous wintery conditions. Not only will high temperatures in the Upstate and Midlands be bitterly cold, but the windchill temperatures will be dangerously low too.

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South Carolinians are encouraged to not focus on snow as much as how bitterly cold it will be over the next few days.

To stay cozy and safe during cold weather, keep these tips in mind:

· Stay indoors and use safe heating sources.

· When outdoors, stay dry and wear multiple layers of loose-fitting, warm clothing.

· Plug space heaters directly into wall outlets. Using extension cords may cause circuit overload and result in a fire.

· Keep space heaters away from drapery, furniture and other flammable materials. Do not leave them unattended.

· Do not use a stove or oven as a heat source. They are ineffective and dangerous.

· Never use grills as an indoor heating source. Charcoal and propane emit deadly carbon monoxide gas and are not suitable for indoor use.

· Never leave lit candles unattended. Candles are unsafe and ineffective as a heat source.

· When using a fireplace, ensure it is properly vented, and the chimney is cleaned periodically to avoid flash fires.

· Do not burn anything in the fireplace other than firewood and do not leave a fire burning when going to sleep.

· Install smoke detectors and regularly check that they work. If you have gas appliances, install a carbon monoxide detector.

If you lived in South Carolina for more than a few years, there’s a good chance you have a hurricane kit. Stocking your winter storm kit will be very similar. Here’s a checklist from South Carolina's Division of Emergency Management:

Stay off the roads during hazardous winter weather whenever possible. If you absolutely have to venture out, be sure to have emergency supplies in your vehicle, and that your mobile phone is fully charged -- it could become your lifeline if disaster should strike.

Keep a survival kit in your car, including the following items:

• Extra blankets or sleeping bag;
• Flashlight with extra batteries;
• First aid kit with a pocket knife;
• Booster cables;
• A rope;
• A small shovel;
• A bag of sand or cat litter for traction;
• Plastic bags (for sanitation);
• Extra gloves, hat, and socks;
• Non-perishable food items and bottled water; and
• Road maps (for alternative routes)
  

Also, here are some other good reminders:

• Check the forecast and road conditions ahead of time;
• Consider adjusting the route to avoid poor driving conditions;
• Carry a cellular phone for use during emergencies;
• Keep the gas tank near full;
• Coordinate with others the destination and times of travel;
• Yield to snowplows; the snow cloud they produce can lower visibilities to near zero so stay back.

Photo via Carl Lundquist

The last time South Carolina saw a major winter storm that impacted most of the state, was in 2018.