When preparing for winter weather, make sure you have these supplies on hand and ready in your home and car in case of an emergency.
Supplies for your home:
Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs and those of each family member for three to five days. Store supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as backpacks, duffel bags or covered trash containers, just in case you may have to evacuate. Your supplies should include:
- Three- to five-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't spoil. Including a manual can opener.
- One change of clothing and footwear and one blanket or sleeping bag per person. A first aid kit that includes your family's prescriptions and medications. Include contacts or an extra pair of glasses.
- Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlights and plenty of extra batteries.
- An extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash (small denominations) or traveler's checks.
- Sanitation supplies including toilet paper, soap, plastic garbage bags and disinfectant.
- Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
- Important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep the originals of all important financial and family documents in a safe place. You will need accessible records for tax and insurance purposes.
Supplies for your car:
- cell phone
- blankets/sleeping bags
- high-calorie foods that don't require refrigeration or cooking (protein bars, nuts, beef jerky, etc.)
- flashlight with extra batteries
- first aid kit
- pocket knife
- a change of clothing in case you get wet
- a large empty can and plastic cover with tissues and paper towels for sanitary purposes
- a smaller can and water-proof matches to melt snow for drinking water
- bag of sand or clay cat litter (non-clumping)
- shovel windshield scraper and brush
- tool kit
- tow rope
- booster cables
- water container
- compass
- road maps
- brightly colored cloth to use as a distress signal
Additional supplies for your emergency kit can be found HERE.
Winter Storm Watch versus Winter Storm Warning
WINTER STORM WATCH – Severe winter conditions, such as heavy snow and/or ice, are possible within the next day or two. Prepare now!
WINTER STORM WARNING – Severe winter conditions have begun or are about to begin in your area. Stay indoors!
BLIZZARD WARNING – Snow and strong winds will combine to produce a blinding snow (near zero visibility), deep drifts and life-threatening wind chill. Go inside immediately!
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY – Winter weather conditions are expected to cause problems and may be dangerous. With caution, these situations should not become life- threatening. The greatest hazard is often to people who are driving.
Please also visit, VDEM's tips on Preparing and Responding to Winter Weather
Do You Know Your Snow?
- FLURRIES – Light snow falling for a short time. A light dusting or no snow on the ground expected.
- SHOWERS – Snow falling at different speeds for short periods of time. Some snow on the ground is possible.
- SQUALLS – Brief, strong snow showers with strong, gusty winds. May leave quite a bit of snow on the ground.
- BLOWING SNOW – Wind-driven snow that makes it hard to see and causes snowdrifts. Blowing snow may be snow that is falling and/or loose snow on the ground picked up by the wind.
- BLIZZARD – Winds over 35 mph with snow and blowing snow. Visibility is near zero.
- SLEET- Raindrops that freeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Usually bounces when it hits instead of sticking, but it can build up and become slippery, causing dangerous driving conditions
- FREEZING RAIN- Rain that falls onto a cold surface (with a temperature below freezing) freezes to the surface, whether it's a tree, a car or a road, and forms a coating of ice. This coating is dangerous and slippery. The added weight of the ice can break trees and power lines.
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