The Daviess County Emergency Management Agency is encouraging residents to be prepared ahead of the potential winter weather that will bring dangerously cold temperatures and snow later this week.
DCEMA Director Andy Ball issued the following alert to all Owensboro-Daviess County residents:
As you are most likely aware, a potentially dangerous winter storm is expected to affect us in the coming days. Though we are not expecting extreme amounts of rain, snow, or ice (latest projections of 1-2” snow for us), there will be extreme hazards associated with this storm. Please read and heed the following tips and remain aware of potential hazards:
Timing
Current projections have rain transitioning to snow 7 p.m.-12 a.m. Thursday evening for our area. Expect several changes/adjustments to timing and precipitation amounts between now and Thursday.
Expected hazards
- Dangerous air temperature/wind chills: Forecast shows Thursday going from 36°F (wind chill) at noon to single digits at least by 9 p.m., continuing to drop as low as -19°F by 6 .m. Friday. We will continue to be in negative- to single-digit wind chills through Sunday, with a high of 31°F Monday.
- Frostbite can occur in under 30 minutes at these extreme temperatures.
- Major road issues: Flash freezing — extreme/quick drop in temperatures/wind chills (as low as -20°F) coupled with precipitation will likely cause flash freezing. Expect major road impacts (possibly transitioning from no hazards to major hazards in a matter of minutes).
- Snow coupled with extreme wind gusts may cause blizzard-like conditions, especially with dangerous visibility issues
- Black ice/patchy slick spots
- Bridges/overpasses likely to freeze before roadways
- Stay off roads unless absolutely necessary
- SLOW DOWN!!!
- Roads may not be treated by road departments due to high winds, extreme temperatures, and/or wet precipitation prior to snow
- Use extreme caution at intersections, stops, turns, bridges, overpasses, and ramps
- High winds: Wind gusts forecasted to reach up to 44 mph Thursday and Friday. These winds coupled with ice weight and ground saturation could cause downed trees and power lines. Be prepared with safe, alternative heating solutions, multiple layers of clothing, and lots of blankets.
- Fire hazards
- According to NFPA, heating equipment is a leading cause of fires in U.S. homes. Local fire departments responded to an estimated average of 48,530 fires involving heating equipment each year in 2014-2018. These fires resulted in annual losses of 500 civilian deaths, 1,350 civilian injuries, and $1.1 billion in direct property damage.
- Heating equipment caused one in seven home structure fires (14%) that took place in 2014–2018 and 19% of home fire deaths.
- The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (25%) was failure to clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
- Over half (54%) of the home heating fire deaths were caused by having heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding.
- A vast majority of home heating fire deaths (81%) involved stationary or portable space heaters.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning:
- According to the CDC:
- Every year, at least 430 people die in the U.S. from accidental CO poisoning.
- Approximately 50,000 people in the U.S. visit the emergency department each year due to accidental CO poisoning.
- Red blood cells pick up CO quicker than they pick up oxygen.
- When you inhale CO, your body replaces the oxygen in blood with CO.
- People who are sleeping or who have been drinking alcohol can die from CO poisoning before ever having symptoms.
- Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning:
- Dull headache
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion
- Blurred vision
- Loss of consciousness
- The warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning can be subtle. But the condition is a life-threatening medical emergency. If you think you or someone you’re with may have carbon monoxide poisoning, get into fresh air and seek emergency medical care.
- According to the CDC:
Prepare NOW
- Home
- No less than 72-hours of food and water for you, your family, and your pets/livestock (recommend 1 gallon of water per person per day). Build a good home kit: bereadylexington.com/build-a-kit/
- Prevent freezing water pipes: bereadylexington.com/prepare-now-to-keep-household-water-pipes-from-freezing/
- Vehicle
- Blizzard like conditions could cause major visibility issues, leaving motorists stranded for long periods. Pack a kit to ensure you are ready: weather.gov/ilx/winter_drive2_social
Warming Shelter
Expect White Flag Warming Shelter to be open Thursday through at least Sunday nights. More notifications will be sent Wednesday/Thursday via email and posted to the DCEMA Facebook page.
Updated forecasts: weather.gov/pah/
Latest NWS PAH Briefing Slides: weather.gov/media/pah/DssPacket.pdf
Winter preparedness tips: visit ready.gov/winter-weather#safe
