On Sunday (Jan 16), a significant winter storm dropped snow, ice, and high winds throughout most of the eastern United States, disrupting travel and creating power outages during the holiday weekend. Winter weather warnings spanned over 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) from Alabama to Maine, with the governors of Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina all proclaiming states of emergency as a result of the storm.
According to PowerOutage.US, a website that tracks power outages, more than 200,000 households and businesses in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia reported power outages.
Customers affected by the weather will be able to rebook flights without charge, according to American Airlines.
Two people died after their automobile lost control in Raleigh, North Carolina, where some areas witnessed record snowfalls.
According to Environment Canada, the storm is predicted to fall about 20-40 cm of snow across southern and eastern Ontario (a Canadian province), until Monday morning a Canadian province that shares part of its border with New York State.
More than 660 flights were canceled by American Airlines Group Inc. According to the Flight Aware website, more than 90% of flights into and out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, an American Airlines hub, were canceled.
How To Stay Safe in Freezing Weather?
The poor weather occurs as Ontario schools prepare to reopen for in-person sessions on Monday after the Christmas break was prolonged due to the highly dangerous Omicron coronavirus variant or delta variant.
Experts believe that the answer to what to dress in freezing temperatures is always “layers.”
This is due to the fact that numerous thin layers of clothing absorb heat better than a single bulky item. It also means that if you become hot, you have the option of removing unnecessary clothing.
When heading outside, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a tightly woven coat, as well as inner layers of light warm clothes, gloves, a hat, a scarf, and waterproof boots.
Water pipes can freeze and shatter as a result of extreme cold. To avoid this, leave taps slightly ajar so that they drip continually and open cabinet doors beneath sinks to allow hot air to reach pipes.
Winter storms can also create power outages, preventing water treatment plants from doing their jobs and resulting in polluted water supplies.
If this occurs, a “boil water warning” may be issued, instructing people to boil all water before drinking or using it in food preparation, such as washing fruit or salads. Even though tap water is filtered, the CDC recommends that it should be boiled since it could be polluted. Only boiling or bottled water should be used, even for cleaning teeth, which may be given by local shelters.
Food and drink are essential for generating energy and keeping us warm, so take advantage of hot chocolates and soups. However, alcohol and caffeine should be avoided since they lead your body to lose heat more quickly, according to the CDC.
Other Ways of Keeping Warm
You should use a gas or wood fireplace or a portable “indoor-safe” heater if you have one.
While being outside is sometimes unavoidable, there are certain precautions you may take to keep yourself safe.
To avoid any accidents, you should combine your warm clothing with non-slip shoes as a first step. The CDC also advises sprinkling cat litter or sand on any icy patches if it is not possible to avoid them altogether.
What If You Get Stranded?
If you become stuck in your car, the CDC recommends attaching a brightly colored item to the antenna and turning on the interior overhead lights to make it visible to rescuers.
You should also relocate all of your belongings from the trunk to the passenger compartment and avoid leaving your car unless you are positive that safety is nearby.
If you’re trapped with other people, bundle up in additional clothing, blankets, or newspapers and cluster together to stay warm.
You should also keep moving and stay awake. To promote circulation and stay warm, the CDC recommends moving your arms and legs while sitting.
Sources:
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56099519
- https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/duringstorm/indoorsafety.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/winterweather/index.html
- https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/staying-active/
- https://edition.cnn.com/2022/01/16/weather/winter-storm-ice-snow-sunday/index.html
