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WEATHERING THE STORM 5 1.28.2018 CALL FOR A QUOTE 24/7. Call me for your insurance needs and see how it feels to be on a #1 team. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. ® Now that's teamwork. P097313 State Farm Home Offi ce, Bloomington, IL Robert P Lewis, Agent 2832 Bella Vista Way Bella Vista, AR 72714 Bus: 479-855-6049 robert.lewis.b2zk@statefarm.com When I say "good," you say "neighbor." Winter Terms During instances of severe winter weather, it is important to familiarize yourself with the different terms used by the extreme winter weather alerts. By knowing these terms, you can better prepare yourself for incoming severe weather. • Freezing Rain — Rain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees and power lines. • Sleet — Rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes moisture on roads to freeze and become slippery. • Wind Chill — Windchill is the temperature it "feels like" when you are outside. • Winter Weather Advisory — Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. When caution is used, these situations should not be life threatening. The National Weather Service issues a winter weather advisory when conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences that may be hazardous. If caution is used, these situations should not be life-threatening. • Winter Storm Watch — A winter storm is possible in your area. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for more information. The NWS issues a winter storm watch when severe winter conditions, such as heavy snow and/ or ice, may affect your area but the location and timing are still uncertain. A winter storm watch is issued 12 to 36 hours in advance of a potential severe storm. Monitor alerts, check your emergency supplies, and gather any items you may need if you lose power. • Winter Storm Warning — A winter storm is occurring or will soon occur in your area. • Blizzard Warning — Sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 miles per hour or greater and considerable amounts of falling or blowing snow (reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile) are expected to prevail for a period of three hours or longer. • Frost/Freeze Warning — Below freezing temperatures are expected. Extreme conditions from a winter storm can cause power outages that last for days. Winter can make roads and walkways extremely dangerous or impassable and close or limit critical community services such as public transportation, child care, health programs and schools. Injuries and deaths may occur from exposure, dangerous road conditions, carbon monoxide poisoning and other conditions. Before snowstorms and extreme cold, it is best to be as prepared for these conditions as possible. You can start by doing the following: • Make an emergency kit for at least three days of self-sufficiency. • Sign up for local alerts and warnings. • Make an emergency communication plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency. • Stock emergency supplies. • Keep space heater safety in mind: Use electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches and non-glowing elements. Remember to keep all heat sources at least three feet away from furniture and drapes. When getting ready for an incoming winter storm, it is important to prepare your home. "As winter moves in, we recommend that people get their homes winterized," stated Benton County's Director of Emergency Management Michael Waddle. "That's everything from bringing in your hoses to making sure your chimneys are properly cleaned." You can also winterize your home by making sure your home is well insulated, including having weather stripping around all of the doors and window sills to keep the warm air inside. Make sure you have working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors – it's a good idea to have battery-powered or battery backed-up detectors in case of a severe storm. Fire extinguishers should be kept on hand since the risk of a house fire increases with the use of alternate heating sources. During snowstorms and extreme cold it is best to stay indoors. Drive only if it is absolutely necessary, and if you must drive, travel during the day. Do not travel alone and stay on main roads. If outside, walk carefully on icy walkways and wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. Wear mittens (which are warmer than gloves), a hat, and cover your mouth with a scarf to reduce heat loss. Be sure to keep dry by changing wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Fully winterize your vehicle (check antifreeze, brakes, heater and defroster, tires, and windshield wipers). Keep an emergency kit in your car as well as a portable cell phone charger, ice scraper, extra blankets, sand for traction, and jumper cables. "In Northwest Arkansas, we highly recommend that individuals get registered with various alerting type tools," noted Waddle. "Whether that be tools from the National Weather Service, or tools from the local news media, or even at the county level we have tools. In Benton County, we have a thing called 'BC Alert' which allows us, as county emergency managers or public safety officials, to send out alerts to those who are subscribed to receive alerts."