FREMONT – A run of extremely cold weather and possibly heavy snowfall has the National Weather Service and Sandusky County Emergency Management Agency warning the public to prepare for the storm and instructions for how to stay safe.
Thursday, Jan. 22, the Sandusky County EMA sent a prediction for wind chills as low as 15 below zero, which could cause frostbite and hypothermia.
The coldest actual temperature is predicted on Saturday, Jan. 24, at -5 degrees.
“Windy conditions behind a cold front with plummeting temperatures should be expected Friday morning through Friday evening,” EMA officials noted. “Friday night, winds ease, but temperatures will drop below zero through Saturday morning.”
The NWS showed that wind chills could reach as low as -10 to -15 Friday into Saturday and again Monday into Tuesday in Sandusky County.
Lisa Kuelling, director of the Sandusky County EMA, issued a winter storm watch, which has been issued for most of the area from 7 p.m. Jan. 24 through 1 p.m. Jan. 26.
A major winter storm is set to affect a large portion of the country, including northern Ohio and northwestern Pennsylvania. The probability of heavy snow has increased locally, with more than 6 inches of snow possible.
Hazardous travel conditions are becoming increasingly likely, beginning the night of Jan. 24 and lasting through the morning of Jan. 26.
A long duration of cold temperatures and wind chills is expected to begin Friday and last through late next week.
The forecast has been trending north the past few days; if that trend continues and the storm system shifts north, Sandusky County could get more snow.
“The below-zero wind chills we will have will be very difficult for infrastructure,” Kuelling said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s water treatment plants, sewer treatment plants, electricity or pole lines, it’s a toll on the system. My biggest concern with this system coming in is truly that longevity of the below-freezing temperatures, and making sure people are prepared for the potential for power outages, especially with those kinds of conditions.”
She saw the biggest potential problem being a lack of preparation by the public for a long power outage.
“It all depends on the weather and the wind. If the utility companies want to go out, and they want to fix and repair because they want their customers to be able to have heat and be able to have electricity, but sometimes it’s unsafe for a lineman to be up on a pole and fixing something in current conditions,” Kuelling said. “Then there’s a trickle-down effect in getting the power turned back on.”
She said the most surprising preparation she recommends is that people know how to activate the manual release lever on their electric garage door openers. Emergency personnel get calls from people who feel like their cars are trapped inside their garage when they could get the door open with a manual release lever.
She stressed that the following list is not all-inclusive. She urged people to think of possibilities that may be more personal or unique, given their health and where they live.
Kuelling recommended that people report power outages to utility companies rather than 911, unless it’s an emergency. If there is an emergency and EMA assistance is needed, call during business hours (419-334-8933); if afterhours, call the Sheriff Office Communications Center (419-332-2613).
Pontifex in Fremont is planning to have a warming center. Before showing up, call 419-333-9667 and ask for Jan to confirm status and any other necessary information.
Before the storm (24-48 hours ahead)
Water and pipe protection
Food and kitchen prep
Heat and home safety
Vehicle and travel
Power outage plan
During the storm
rlapointe@gannett.com
419-332-2674
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: What to expect, how to prepare for this weekend’s storm
Reporting by Roger LaPointe, Fremont News-Messenger / Fremont News-Messenger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
