9. Surviving a Winter Storm

Winter storms can be extremely powerful. Heavy snowfall, ice accumulation, and extreme cold can cripple entire regions. They have the potential to cause large amounts of property damage, disrupt essential services and utilities, and can be deadly for those who aren’t prepared.

HOW REAL IS THE THREAT?

The level of the threat depends on where you live, but at some point, regardless of where you live, you will probably be affected by winter weather. Even in the Southwestern deserts of the United States, where most people wouldn’t expect to be affected, freak winter storms can cause a wide range of problems, specifically because they are so uncommon and so many people will be unprepared.

Winter storms can cause a number of problems, including

• Icy roads. Icy roads and blinding blizzard conditions can make our roadways extremely dangerous. One of the greatest hazards during winter storms comes from people driving during dangerous conditions Over 70 percent of winter-storm-related deaths occur in automobiles.
• Power outages. Ice, wind, and falling trees can take down power lines. During freezing cold temperatures this can be extremely dangerous and puts people at the risk of hypothermia due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. It also exposes you to the risk of freezing and bursting pipes in your home.
• Hypothermia and frostbite. During extreme winter weather, hypothermia and frostbite can set in very quickly. Exposure to the cold can be extremely dangerous and needs to be taken seriously.

PROTECTING YOUR PIPES

Winter weather can wreak havoc on your pipes. Extreme cold can cause water to quickly freeze and expand inside unprotected pipes. If the frozen water expands enough, pipes can easily burst, causing serious problems.

• Vulnerable pipes should be wrapped with insulation or pipe sleeves. During extreme cold you can also use blankets or towels to wrap exposed pipes.
• Cracks or holes in exterior walls, especially those near pipes, should be filled with caulking.
• Keep garage doors closed if water supply lines are located inside the garage.
• Leaving cabinet doors open can help circulate warm air around the pipes.
• Leaving your faucets on so they slowly drip can help relieve pressure and prevent pipes from bursting during extreme cold weather.
• If you suspect a frozen pipe; open the faucet and slowly apply warm air with a household hair dryer. Never use an open flame to thaw a frozen pipe.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREPARE FOR THE THREAT?

Keep in mind that a winter storm can be just as dangerous and deadly as any other type of weather phenomenon. It can also knock out power or cause you to become stuck in your home for days, maybe even weeks.

Having a good supply of food, water, and emergency supplies is an essential part of being prepared for winter storms. You may be unable to leave your house for an extended period of time.

Stock up well ahead of time to avoid the problems of panic buying that precedes any storm:

• Stock up on extra bottled water.
• Make sure you have ready-to-eat foods that can be eaten without having to cook them.
• Make sure you have an ample supply of any medications you are taking.

Heavy snow and ice frequently damage power lines, so you need to be prepared for the possibility of power outages:

• Stock up on candles, flashlights, oil-burning lamps, and extra batteries.
• Consider buying an emergency generator. It can be a lifesaver during the cold winter months.
• Stock up on cat litter, road salt, or bags of sand to add traction on sidewalks and driveways.

To keep yourself safe and warm, consider stocking up on

• extra blankets and quilts, sleeping bags, winter clothing, hats, and winter coats
• space blankets and chemical hand/body warmers
• extra firewood for your fireplace
• portable space heaters, propane heaters, or kerosene heaters
• carbon monoxide detector (This is extremely important and should not be overlooked; if used improperly some of these heating methods can cause a buildup of deadly carbon monoxide.)

STAYING SAFE DURING A WINTER STORM

Stay Home

Battling icy snowy roads is not fun; in fact, it can be downright dangerous. If you don’t need to go out, play it safe and stay home. If a storm is on its way, don’t wait for the weather to start before you start for home. Stay home prior to storm fall or leave early so you don’t get stranded.

Watch for Signs of Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature drops to a point where normal functions are impaired. During the winter this can happen fairly quickly, so it’s important to watch for things like uncontrollable shivering, mental changes and confusion, memory loss, slurred speech, labored breathing, drowsiness, and muscle impairment. If you or someone around you starts to experience any of these symptoms, it’s extremely important to remove any wet clothing, warm the center of the body, and begin to drink warm, non-alcoholic beverages.

Stock Your Vehicle

If you’re heading out during a winter storm, don’t overlook the importance of bringing along some basic emergency supplies. Most of the items you would pack in a winter bug out bag should be carried inside your vehicle during hazardous winter excursions.

• Check your vehicle’s fluid levels. Antifreeze, oil, and transmission fluids should all be checked and topped off before you leave. Also, make sure you have enough windshield washer fluid in the reservoir and make sure it’s rated for freezing temperatures.
• Check your battery. If your battery is over three years old, it’s probably a good idea to have it checked before heading out on a long road trip. Most auto parts stores offer free battery checks, and they only take a couple of minutes of your time.
• Check your air pressure. Underinflation is the leading cause of tire failure; in the winter this can be a huge problem. When the temperatures start to dip, cold weather can cause your tires to become dangerously underinflated. For every ten-degree drop in temperature, your tires can lose as much as 1 pound per square inch (PSI) of pressure.
• Give your vehicle a final road inspection before leaving. Before leaving, give your vehicle a final once-over. Check for leaks, worn-out hoses, cracks in the belts, and make sure to inspect your tire tread. If anything looks out of whack, now is the time to take care of it.

DRIVING IN SLICK CONDITIONS

The best way to stay safe during severe weather that has turned the roadways into a slippery driving nightmare is to stay home. If you are forced to drive under these conditions, there are a few things you need to do to increase your safety:

• Be prepared. Have your tires, brakes, and wipers checked before the storm.
• Eliminate all driving distractions. Stay off the cell phone, put down the munchies, and keep your radio turned down or off.
• Slow down. During slick driving conditions, your vehicle needs three times the normal distance to stop.
• Accelerate, turn, and brake slowly. During slick driving conditions, everything needs to be done slower. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• Know when to call it quits. If driving becomes too risky, you need to know when to call it quits and find a safe place to pull off the road. If conditions are bad, be prepared to stop and wait the storm out at a hotel or a truck stop until the roads are in safe traveling condition.

HOW TO STOP A VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES FAIL

Having your brakes go out while driving can be downright terrifying. While it’s rare, it does happen, so knowing how to respond during that situation can mean the difference between life and death.

If you find yourself unable to stop while driving, the following steps should help:

1. Immediately downshift to a lower gear. Downshifting into a lower gear allows your engine to slow down your vehicle and could give you enough time to find a safe place to pull over. Slowly make your way through the lower gears one at a time, allowing the engine to slow the vehicle. (In vehicles with an automatic transmission, look for the highest gear on your automatic gear shift and then work your way down to 1.)

2. Check for obstructions. This may sound stupid, but something as simple as a cell phone that fell off the dash could be causing your problems. Use your foot to make sure nothing is wedged behind your brake pedal. If you feel anything, kick it out of the way and slowly apply the break pedal.

3. Pump the brakes. If you have regular brakes, quickly pumping the brakes can sometimes build up brake fluid pressure giving you enough brake to come to a stop. If you have anti-lock brakes, your vehicle does the pumping for you so just firmly press down on the brake.

4. Slowly engage your emergency brake. If pumping the brakes didn’t work, slowly engage your vehicle’s parking/emergency brake and be prepared for the vehicle to skid.

5. Grab the attention of anyone in your path. If nothing is working, you need to clear the path. Honk, flash your headlights, and turn on your hazard lights so everyone can get out of your way.

6. Look for something soft or something that can slow you down. If all else fails you may be forced to find something that can slow you down. On steep mountainous roads, look for an emergency runaway truck ramp, which will be filled with sand and gravel and is meant to slow down vehicles that have lost the ability to brake. Walls, guardrails, and brush can all be used to gently scrape the side of your vehicle, using the friction to slow the car down enough until you roll to a complete stop.

If a collision becomes unavoidable, stay calm and try to find something that will give. A fence or a bunch of bushes is going to be a much better option than a solid wall or a large solid tree. Stay with the car and try to keep as much control over what’s going on as possible. Taking your hands off the wheel and giving up is going to make the situation much worse.

DRIVING OUT OF A SKID

Knowing how to get out of a skid is essential when driving under slick conditions. If you feel your vehicle losing control,

1. Take your feet off the pedals. Most people immediately go for the brake pedal when they start to slide out; this is a huge mistake. Hitting the gas or the brake pedal is only going to make things worse.
2. Steer where you want to go. One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to overcompensate by jerking the wheel into the direction they are skidding. The second your vehicle starts sliding, look toward the direction you want to go and steer your vehicle directly where you want to go. It’s important to put your eyes on where you want to go because your hands follow your eyes automatically.
3. Gently apply the brakes or the gas. Depending on the direction of your skid, after you regain some control you may need to gently apply the brakes or the accelerator. If your front wheels are sliding, gently apply the brake. If your rear wheels are sliding, gently apply the gas.

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE

Getting stuck in the snow, mud, or in off-road gravel can be a real problem, especially if you’re stuck miles from help or during a storm where rescue could take some time. But if you’re prepared, getting your vehicle out is often only a matter of being able to get enough traction.

If you find yourself in a position where your vehicle is stuck, here are some things you can do to free your vehicle. Keep in mind many of these things require a bit of preplanning, so make sure your vehicle is stocked with what you need.

Supplies That Can Help

• Carry some extra weight. While it may not be super fuel-efficient, if you’re traveling in off-road areas, or during stormy or icy conditions, packing a couple of sandbags can help give you some added traction when you’re stuck.
• Carry a shovel and traction pad. Add a shovel and a piece of carpet or traction pad to your supplies and you should have everything you need to free yourself from most situations. The shovel can help you create an easy path out, and the carpet can help give you enough traction so your wheels don’t spin and dig you in deeper.
• Carry a board and a heavy-duty tire jack. If your vehicle is really stuck, you may have to jack it up before placing your traction pad under the tires. Make sure the ground is firm. If it’s not, place your jack on a board to add stability before you jack it up.

Techniques to Keep In Mind

• Slow and steady. Hitting the gas will likely make the situation worse. The moment you get stuck, you need to stop, remain calm, and slowly give the vehicle some gas. Give your vehicle a little gas and then let off. Keep repeating, as the rocking motion will help free the vehicle. If you feel the vehicle becoming more stuck, stop and think about adding traction.
• It’s all about adding traction. If you’re stuck without a traction mat, look for anything that can help you add traction under the tires. Large branches, rocks, and anything that can add traction should be placed in front of your drive wheels. Just make sure you shovel a path before placing your traction materials down.
• Rock the vehicle. Once you have created a clear path, added traction to the ground, and are ready to attempt to free the vehicle, resist the urge to floor it. Instead, use your vehicle’s gears to help slowly rock the vehicle back and forth. Shifting between drive and reverse can help free most stuck vehicles; just make sure you shift directions when the wheels start to spin. Also, don’t go crazy; the last thing you want is to fry your vehicle’s transmission.
• Let a little air out of the tires. As a last resort, letting a little bit of air out of your tires will give them a wider footprint, creating less resistance and giving you a better chance of freeing your stuck vehicle. Just keep an eye on how much air you’re letting out, because freeing your vehicle isn’t going to help if you have flat tires.