Central Ohio Prepares For 1st Storm Of Season
Winter Storm Forecast
Storm Team 4's Jym Ganahl gives you an up-to-date forecast.
Storm Team 4
NBC 4 has the bottom line on AEP preps, your up-to-date forecast, storm and pet safety and keeping your holiday decorations secure.
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CENTRAL OHIO—Preparations were underway Tuesday in the case winds pick up and knock down power lines.
The National Weather Service has issued high-wind warnings for Franklin County and surrounding counties until 1 a.m. Thursday. There is the potential for a hazardous high wind event. Sustained winds of at least 40 mph, or gusts of 58 mph or stronger may occur.
The state likely will miss the worst of it as blizzard warnings have been posted in Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois.
AEP officials said it has been working hard to make sure the trees and vegetation have been scaled back to not interfere with power lines if winds get out of control.
Preparations also were underway at the Ohio Emergency Management Agency Tuesday.
It gathers information from local agencies and makes plans on how the state can assist in case of emergencies associated with the winds and weather.
AEP was planning to use social networking to improve the communication process as well.
AEP’s Twitter and Facebook accounts and its Web site at https://www.aepohio.com/Default.aspx will give local customers real-time updates on outages and response times.
Following windstorm Ike last September, many agencies said they learned from what happened and think they are even better prepared for a windstorm.
Storm Team 4 meteorologists continued to predict strong winds through early Thursday. Click here for your complete forecast and winter-weather advisories.
Staffing was front and center for the agencies. Trucks were gassed up. And they said they’re ready for some long nights, if Mother Nature decides to whip up the winds again.
WINTER WEATHER TIPS FROM THE RED CROSS
As with any disaster, preparation can be the difference between life and death. The Red Cross recommends that individuals and families prepare for winter storms:
- Assemble an emergency preparedness kit: Pack a winter-specific supply kit that includes a warm coat, hat, mittens or gloves, water-resistant boots, extra blankets and extra warm clothing. Sand or non-clumping kitty litter is good to have on hand to help make walkways or steps less slippery. Additionally, make sure you have a first-aid kit and essential medications, canned food and can opener, bottled water, flashlights and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries in your home in the event of a power outage.
- Heed storm warnings: A winter storm WATCH means winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. People in a watch area should review their winter storm plans and stay informed about weather conditions via NOAA Weather radio or local radio or television stations. A winter storm WARNING means that life-threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours. Individuals in a warning area should take precautions immediately.
- Prepare your home and car: Winterize your vehicle, and keep the gas tank full, which will help to keep the fuel line from freezing. Make sure your home is properly insulated by installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic from the inside to help keep cold air out. Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year. Running water, even at a trickle, helps to prevent pipes from freezing.
For more information on winter storm preparedness, contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross or visit http://www.redcross.org or http://www.cruzrojaamericana.org.
COLD-WEATHER TIPS FOR PETS FROM THE FRANKLIN COUNTY DOG SHELTER
These tips apply to both cats and dogs.
- If outside, elevate doghouse with door to protect from wind and weather.
- Provide dry, clean bedding materials, such as straw, and remove if/when wet.
- House should be large enough to stand and turn around in but small enough to retain body heat.
- Provide indoor dogs with sleeping area away from drafts.
- Keep pets away from bodies of water that may freeze but not enough to hold their weight.
- Clean paws of hair to prevent ice clinging.
- Clean paws after walks to clear ice and salt.
- Provide adequate fresh, unfrozen water.
- Keep your dog on a leash to prevent it from getting lost due to the loss of ability to smell.
- Keep identification tags up-to-date and on the pet.
- Keep puppies and older dogs inside as they are more susceptible to cold weather, just like humans.
- Keep pets away from antifreeze spills. Dogs like the sweet smell and taste, but it can be lethal in small amounts.
- Don’t leave pets alone in cars during cold weather. When the engine is off, a car can act like a refrigerator.
KEEPING YOUR HOLIDAY DECORATIONS SAFE
Worried about your holiday decorations staying up and in your own yard?
NBC 4 went to McCoy Landscaping’s Mike Clapper about what you can do to protect your decorations.
- Make sure all of your extension cords and lights are outdoor rated. If they are, they should withstand the elements without a problem.
- Lights on your roof and trees should also be OK in the wind. Clapper recommended using shingle tabs to secure lights on your house.
- In heavy wind, icicle lights probably will blow up onto the roof and will need to be flipped down with a long-handled broom.
- Clapper said wreaths probably will be OK if they’re secured with hooks and wire at as few as two points. If not, bring them inside.
- Yard decorations will be the biggest problem because they’re so lightweight. Unless they’re tethered to the ground, they also should be brought inside, especially inflatables.
For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com—Where Accuracy Matters.
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