Tempêtes hivernales et froid extrême

De quoi s'agit-il

Winter storms bring heavy snow, freezing rain, ice and strong winds, often with dangerous cold. They can knock out power and heat, close roads and leave people stuck at home or in cars for days.

Qui est exposé

People in the northern states and mountains, and in southern states where homes and roads are not built for snow and ice. Older adults, babies, people who are homeless and people without reliable heat face the most danger.

Se préparer dès maintenant

1. Stock at least 3 days of water, food that needs no cooking, medicine and batteries before the season.
2. Have a safe way to stay warm without power: warm clothes, blankets and sleeping bags.
3. Install carbon monoxide alarms and test them.
4. Insulate pipes, and learn how to shut off your water if a pipe bursts.
5. Keep a winter kit in your car: blanket, water, snacks, flashlight, ice scraper, shovel and phone charger.
6. Have your furnace, chimney or wood stove checked.

Pendant l'événement

1. Stay off roads if you can. If you must drive, tell someone your route.
2. If stuck in your car, stay with it. Run the engine for about 10 minutes an hour for heat, with a window cracked and the exhaust pipe clear of snow.
3. Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or oven to heat your home.
4. Dress in layers, and keep dry. Watch for frostbite (numb, pale skin) and hypothermia (shivering, confusion, slurred speech).
5. Let faucets drip to help keep pipes from freezing.
6. Go to a warming center if your home gets too cold.

Après

1. Shovel snow carefully, take breaks and lift small amounts. Shoveling causes many heart attacks.
2. Clear snow from vents, exhaust pipes and around generators.
3. Check on neighbors, especially older adults.
4. Stay away from fallen power lines.

Sources officielles

• Ready.gov: Winter weather
• National Weather Service: Winter safety
• CDC: Winter weather
• American Red Cross: Winter storm safety

Ce guide résume des recommandations publiques. Suivez toujours les consignes des autorités locales et des services d'urgence.