Ice Potential

[Chris Santee]

VERMONT DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND HOMELAND SECURITY NEWS RELEASE
Date: 12.19.2013
Contact: Mark Bosma, Public Information Officer
Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
(800) 347-0488
Time: 2:00 p.m.

Snow, Sleet, Ice Could Present Hazards

WATERBURY, VT - Snow, sleet, ice, or a mixture of each could be on the way to Vermont over the next few days according to the National Weather Service.  These conditions could present a number of hazards to Vermonters and our visitors, and the public is encouraged to stay in touch and stay safe.

There is a potential for slippery travel conditions, downed trees and power lines and other issues depending on how the storm develops, so we all need to be ready for any possible scenario.  Below are some reminders on what to watch out for and how to prepare for adverse winter conditions.

  *   Check in with your neighbors, especially those who are elderly or may be in need of assistance.
  *   Ensure your home has a sufficient supply of whatever you use as "fuel" to heat your home.
  *   Have extra items on hand in case you can't leave your house for a while.
     *   Flashlight
     *   Batteries
     *   Battery powered radio
     *   Water
     *   Non-perishable foods
  *   Ask your town where the nearest warming shelter would be should it be needed.  Vermont 2-1-1 has a list of shelters when there are shelters open.

Health
  *   Be careful on slippery walkways - make sure you have good footing or just stay off them.
  *   If you lose power, keep your fridge and freezer closed to keep food cold and safe.  A closed fridge will keep food for about four hours.  A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours, a half-full freezer for about 24 hours.
  *   Don't cook and eat meat, poultry, fish, eggs or other refrigerated foods that have been above 40 degrees F for two hours or more. They can be contaminated with bacteria that can cause serious illness.

Power outages
  *   If you see a downed power line, leave it alone - always treat power lines as if they are live.  A live wire can kill you.
  *   If clearing trees or limbs make CERTAIN they are not in contact with a power line.  Trees and branches can conduct electricity and electrocute you on contact.
  *   Report outages to your power company.
  *   Never run a generator indoors.  Ensure it is outside - far away from windows or any other area from which exhaust can vent back into a living area.  Carbon monoxide can cause injury or death.
  *   Make sure your pipes are insulated.  If your pipes freeze know where the water shut off is and never use a blow torch or other open flame to thaw the pipes out.  A blow dryer is one safe way to take care of the problem.

Safe Heating
  *   Have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home!
  *   Never use an "improvised" heat source like grill or oven as they can be fire or carbon monoxide hazards.
  *   Make sure all heating vents are clear and properly discharging out of the house.
     *   Make sure snow and ice is not impeding the venting of carbon monoxide and clear it away if it is.
  *   Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from any heat source.

Travel
  *   Check out a weather report before heading out.
  *   Drive at appropriate speeds for conditions.
  *   Make sure your car is in good working condition with weather appropriate tires and plenty of gas.
  *   Throw a blanket, flashlight, cell phone, sand (or anything that can help you get traction if you get stuck), jumper cables, and other items in the car you may need if you slide off the road and have to hunker down.

The Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is in contact with local, state, and private industry partners to plan for a possible response should one become necessary.  There is no plan for a state Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activation at this time, but state EOC personnel have been asked to be on alert.

Helpful links:
DEMHS: http://vem.vermont.gov/preparedness/hazards/winter
National Weather Service Albany (Forecast office for Bennington and Windham counties): http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/aly/
National Weather Service Burlington (Rest of Vermont): http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/btv/
Vermont power outages: www.vtoutages.com<http://www.vtoutages.com>
Vermont Division of Fire Safety: http://firesafety.vermont.gov/
DEMHS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vermontemergencymanagement
DEMHS on Twitter: @vemvt ... https://twitter.com/vemvt
Road conditions: www.511vt.com<http://www.511vt.com>

[HayesFXFD17]

The Fairfax Fire department has been in communications with our state emergency management and are prepared to handle whatever Mother Nature throws our way.  Lt. Raymond has prepared all of our saws, generators and fuel supplies for potential extended use throughout the weekend.

As a reminder to folks please assume ALL lines are energized and do not approach or attempt to remove from a roadway or driveway.  Please do not hesitate to use the 911 system so we can safely asses and handle any weather related incident safely.  As we anticipate a number of responses this weekend we will be prioritizing calls based on resources and severity.  Please have patience and understand that dangerous driving conditions could delay response times.

Justin Hayes CFI
Chief Fairfax Fire

[Fireman David]

Below is the latest update on the expected weather conditions over the weekend,



Emergency Managers and others,

Active weather begins today and continues right through the weekend. Accumulating snow will be the main impact today and tonight with the potential for significant icing Saturday night into Sunday.

Today and Tonight

·  What/Where: Winter Weather Advisory through tonight for Saint Lawrence, Franklin, and Clinton counties in New York and Grand Isle, Franklin, and Orleans counties in Vermont.
·  Timing: Today through late Friday evening, especially during the evening commute.
·  Amounts: Generally 2-6 inches of snow in the advisory area with the potential for light mixed precipitation at times late in the day and this evening.
·  Impact: Slick, snow covered roads.


Saturday into Sunday

A WINTER STORM WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF NORTHERN NEW YORK AND THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL SECTIONS OF VERMONT SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY DUE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT ICE ACCUMULATIONS.

·  Only counties NOT in the watch are Rutland, Windsor, Bennington, and Windham.
·  The potential exists for a significant amount of freezing rain and sleet in the watch area Saturday evening through mid-afternoon on Sunday.

·  Ice accumulations in the 0.25 inch to 0.75 inch range are possible in the watch area with some areas receiving as much as an inch of ice!
·  At this time, the areas of greatest concern for the most significant ice accumulations are across the Saint Lawrence Valley and the northern portions of the Champlain Valley in both New York and Vermont.  
·  Given the potential for ice accumulations of this magnitude, downed trees and utility lines, power outages, and extremely difficult travel conditions are a definite possibility.
·  Preparedness activities should likely commence based on the significant impacts that could result from this weather event.

[Chris Santee]

at 2:05pm:

Please be advised, due to the current weather conditions, Interstate 89 both north and south bound are becoming slippery.  Highway crews are working diligently to maintain safe roadways.  Vermont State Police would like to remind drivers to use caution when driving during these conditions.  If travel is necessary commuters are strongly encouraged to allow extra time to arrive at your destination safely.

Thank you