MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief
Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us
Twitter: @PGFDPIO
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for
Prince George's County for Sunday evening into Monday. The men and women of
your Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department want you
to help us by staying safe yourself.
I understand that snow on St. Patricks Day is a sign of Good Luck and improving weather conditions for the remainder of the year!!!
FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
Winter Storm Warning
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON
DC
149 PM EDT SUN MAR 16 2014
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7
PM THIS EVENING
TO 2 PM EDT MONDAY...
* PRECIPITATION TYPE...SNOW
* ACCUMULATIONS...4 TO 8 INCHES.
* TIMING...A MIX OF RAIN AND SNOW EARLY THIS
EVENING WILL CHANGE
TO ALL
SNOW BY MID EVENING. SNOW WILL CONTINUE OVERNIGHT THROUGH
EARLY
AFTERNOON MONDAY. THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS EXPECTED LATE THIS
EVENING
THROUGH EARLY MONDAY MORNING.
* TEMPERATURES...FALLING INTO THE LOWER 30S BY
MID EVENING AND
THEN
DROPPING INTO THE LOWER TO MIDDLE 20S LATE TONIGHT. HIGHS
MONDAY IN
THE LOWER 30S.
* WINDS...NORTHEAST 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO
20 MPH.
* IMPACTS...ROADS WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED AND
SLIPPERY. TRAVEL
WILL BE
DANGEROUS...ESPECIALLY TONIGHT THROUGH THE MORNING
RUSH ON
MONDAY.
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 snow and ice
presents:
Health Concerns - for those trying to clear snow from
sidewalks and driveways.
Shoveling 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
on Monday. Dialysis patients please contact your centers and
discuss your access to the center. You might
arrange for a delay in your treatment until Tuesday. Consult your center as soon as possible.
Power Outages
Heavy 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.
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