Are You Ready?? Surviving the Winter Storm

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

mebrady@co.pg.md.us     Twitter: @PGFDPIO     Follow #PGsnow

The current forecast from the National Weather Service for Prince George's County:

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING
TO 3 PM EST THURSDAY...

* PRECIPITATION TYPE...HEAVY SNOW AND SLEET.

* ACCUMULATIONS...4 TO 8 INCHES...WITH THE HIGHEST AMOUNTS ALONG
  THE INTERSTATE 95 CORRIDOR.

* TIMING...SNOW WILL OVERSPREAD THE AREA FROM THE SOUTH BETWEEN 7
  PM AND 10 PM THIS EVENING. SNOW WILL BE HEAVY AT TIMES TONIGHT
  INTO EARLY THURSDAY MORNING. SNOW IS EXPECTED MIX WITH SLEET AND
  RAIN THURSDAY MORNING BEFORE COMPLETELY CHANGING OVER TO SLEET
  AND RAIN THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE MID 20S TONIGHT...SLOWLY RISING INTO THE
  LOWER TO MIDDLE 30S THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

* WINDS...NORTHEAST 5 TO 15 MPH THIS EVENING...BECOMING NORTH
  AND INCREASING TO 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH LATE
  TONIGHT AND THURSDAY.

* IMPACTS...ROADS WILL QUICKLY BECOME SNOW AND SLEET COVERED AND
  SLIPPERY. TRAVEL WILL BE DANGEROUS TONIGHT AND THURSDAY. HEAVY
  WET SNOW COUPLED WITH GUSTY WINDS COULD LEAD TO SOME POWER
  OUTAGES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...
FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

While most roadways will be pre-treated and snow plows working to clear roads it is expected that driving conditions will deteriorate as the storm wears on. 

Some of the Fire/EMS Department's highest concerns during a winter weather event is everyone staying healthy and safe.   

Heavy wet snow presents: 

Health Concerns - for those trying to clear snow from sidewalks and driveways.

Shoveling heavy wet snow has been known to cause cardiac emergencies.


Take your time and frequent breaks
Limit exertion
Dress warmly in layers
Stay hydrated - limit coffee, caffeinated drinks and alcohol 
Lift with your legs not your back
If you aren't healthy enough, have a known cardiac condition or age 50 or over, please, seek help from your friends and neighbors

Health Concerns for Dialysis patients


Road condition could be dangerous to travel to your appointments through the day on Thursday and into Friday.  Dialysis patients please contact your centers and discuss your access to the center on Thursday and Friday.  You might arrange for a treatment early or delay your treatment.  Consult your center as soon as possible. 


Power Outages






 Heavy wet snow accumulation on trees and on utility lines could result in power outages.


If you see a downed utility line - consider it LIVE.
Call 911 or your utility company if you see a downed utility line or a tree branch on power lines
Keep phones and tablets fully charged before the storm
A yellow caution tape on downed utility lines indicates that situation has already been checked by public safety and there is no immediate danger.  These areas should not be approached until repairs have been completed.
In the event of a power outage - never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage - the carbon monoxide (CO) that it generates will kill you and anyone else in the house - USE ONLY OUTDOORS
Test your smoke alarm and CO alarms to ensure they are working before the storm.
Do not use candles - use flashlights or battery powered lanterns.


Stay Informed, Stay Ready, Stay Safe 

• Stay prepared by bringing out your emergency preparedness kit and having a supply of essential items (food, water, warming items, radios, batteries, flashlights, etc.) available. 

• Stay informed by monitoring TV news, news radio, National Weather Service radios and the Internet. Important information may be broadcast that could affect you and your family. Ensure your cell phones and lap top computers are fully charged now – before the storm occurs.  Sign up now for Notify Me - Prince George's for weather updates, closings and other important information right from your cell phone, laptops, desktop computers and more. 

• Stay safe by keeping fire safety and injury prevention a priority in your activities. It is important to remember that fire apparatus and ambulances will be slower to respond to your emergencies due to the weather and hazardous driving conditions. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms now to ensure they are working. In the event of an emergency, have an escape plan and call 911 immediately from a safe location. 

• If possible, stay indoors and off the roads at all costs. Reduced traffic on roadways will allow public works crews an opportunity to clear a path that can be used by first responders to handle emergencies. If you must venture outdoors, dress warm and in layers, wear a hat and gloves, and cover your face with a scarf. 

• Speaking of calling 911 – please – only call 911 for emergencies. Activity for Fire and EMS service could be high. If you do not have an emergency you should call 311 for assistance.

• Give space heaters space – keep space heaters at least 3-feet away from anything combustible like bedding, furniture, paper, etc. 

• Use only seasoned wood products in your fireplace and use extreme caution when disposing of fireplace ashes as they can remain hot for days after the fire is out. Dispose of ashes in a metal container outside and away from the house. 

• Some winter storms produce enough snow and ice that will make it difficult to shovel, especially for those that have an existing heart condition or anyone over the age of 50. Limit shoveling to only a few minutes at a time, shovel smaller amounts, and take frequent breaks.

• It is time to be a good neighbor – check on your senior citizen neighbors and ensure they have heat and food. Shovel their sidewalks and check on them frequently. 

• Clear away snow from the fire hydrant on your street. If the fire hydrant is on your property; you are required to clear away the snow. 

• If you must drive – reduce your speed, increase the distance between you and the car in front of you, turn on your headlights, and do not be distracted by texting and cell phones. Keep an eye out for pedestrians as they will venture out into the streets as sidewalks disappear.This information especially applies to 4-wheel drive SUV operators. 

Finally, please keep pets indoors during the storm!!! 

The Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Fire Department stands ready and prepared to provide the best emergency and non-emergency services available. We ask you to help us by preventing emergencies from ever occurring to avoid the need for us to have to respond to that emergency.

Remember, Safety First ensures Everyone Goes Home.