Get Ready for Winter
Published 3:04 pm Thursday, October 29, 2015
Experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are forecasting a warmer winter for Washington state, along with prolonged drought issues. For the next three months, they are predicting higher than normal temperatures and lower than normal precipitation, especially in Washington, Idaho and Montana.
A weather station at Snoqualmie Falls likewise is projecting a 60 percent chance of temperatures at least 5 degrees warmer than average for December, January, February and March.
Since wind and water don’t always behave according to predictions, now is the time to get your basic winter preparations going, if you haven’t already. Inside this, our annual Get Ready for Winter section, you’ll find information on winter driving, flood insurance, emergency contacts, and evacuation basics. With luck, you won’t need any of it, but like your three-day emergency kit, it’s good to know where to find it.
Blackouts come with the season
From TakeWinterByStorm.org
Every winter, the wind comes up, the lights flicker, and sometimes they go out. The Valley has weathered many days-long power outages in the past, and probably will again. Here’s what you can do to prepare.
Before power goes out:
• Prepare an emergency kit, including a radio, flashlight, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, emergency contact information, water, and non-perishable food.
• Keep flashlights, extra batteries handy at work, too.
• Keep cell phones, smart phones, laptops and tablets) fully charged. If you are traveling, bring chargers with you.
• Test your emergency generator at the start of the season.
• Install battery-powered carbon monoxide alarms and test the batteries regularly.
During an outage:
• Report power outages or downed power lines. Call PSE at 1 (888) 225-5773 for outages, or call 911 about gas leaks or downed power lines.
• Use flashlights instead of light sources with open flames.
• Phone calls may not go through during network outages, so use text messaging instead.
• Use a wireless device to view updates on power outages: https://pse.com/accountsandservices/ServiceAlert/Pages/Outage-Map.aspx?WT.ac=Flyout-OutageMap.
• Stay away from downed power lines; If you are near one, shuffle your feet as you move away from it, to prevent ground shock. If a power line falls on your car while you are driving, stay inside and wait for help.
• Never use charcoal or gas grills indoors. They can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Follow all instructions when operating a generator and never operate them indoors or near windows and doors.
• Stay informed. Tune your radio in to local media for updates.
What’s in your kit?
King County Emergency Management officials recommend having an emergency supply kit on hand at all times.
The county’s Make it Through website, http://makeitthrough.org, recommends keeping 7 to 10 days worth of the following:
Water: 1 gallon per person per day
Food: Non-perishables, 7 to 10 days’ worth, and a manual can opener
Cash: Small bills are best.
Battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Mask or cotton t-shirt to help filter the air
Moist towelettes
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities if needed
Shelter items like tents, tarps and rope
Garbage bags and plastic ties
Prescriptions, infant supplies, pet food. Items specific to your family’s needs, such as medications
Supplies for infants, pets and elderly, prescriptions, and important family documents
