{"id":26170,"date":"2011-12-08T21:46:35","date_gmt":"2011-12-09T01:46:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/miserybay.usanethosting.com\/wordpress\/?p=26170"},"modified":"2011-12-08T21:46:35","modified_gmt":"2011-12-09T01:46:35","slug":"attention-midwesterners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/attention-midwesterners\/","title":{"rendered":"Attention Midwesterners"},"content":{"rendered":"

Start preparing now for severe winter weather
\nWith winter just around the corner, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region V reminds everyone to start preparing for the possibility of severe winter storms and extreme temperatures. Midwesterners can find helpful tips and recommendations to help them get prepared at www.ready.gov\/winter<\/a>.
\n“Most of us in the Midwest are familiar with severe winter weather, but you can never be too prepared,” FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III said. “Take the time now to winterize both your home and your vehicle to protect you and your family.”
\nSevere winter weather can include snow or subfreezing temperatures, strong winds and ice or heavy rain storms. An emergency supply kit at home and in the car will help prepare people for power outages and icy or impassable roads.
\nAn emergency supply kit should include a three-day supply of food and water for each person, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries, and any items to meet the unique needs of your family.
\nIn preparation for winter weather, thoroughly check and update your family’s emergency supply kit to include:
\n\u00b7 Rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways. Visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s website for a complete list of recommended products.
\n\u00b7 Sand to improve traction.
\n\u00b7 Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.
\n\u00b7 Sufficient heating fuel. You may become isolated in your home and regular fuel sources may be cut off. If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, be sure to store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood. If your heat goes out, never use a generator or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home.
\n\u00b7 Adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm.
\nThese tips also will help you and your family get through the winter:
\n\u00b7 Make a family communications 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.
\n\u00b7 Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or other local news channels for critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS) and public safety officials. Be alert to changing weather conditions.
\n\u00b7 Minimize travel. If travel is necessary, keep an emergency supply kit in your vehicle.
\n\u00b7 Bring pets\/companion animals inside during winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas.
\nFinally, everyone should get familiar with the terms that are used to identify a winter storm hazard and discuss with your family what to do if a winter storm watch or warning is issued. Terms used to describe a winter storm hazard include the following:
\n\u00b7 Freezing Rain creates a coating of ice on roads and walkways.
\n\u00b7 Sleet is rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes roads to freeze and become slippery.
\n\u00b7 Winter Weather Advisory means cold, ice and snow are expected.
\n\u00b7 Winter Storm Watch means severe weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible in the next day or two.
\n\u00b7 Winter Storm Warning means severe winter conditions have begun or will begin very soon.
\nFEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Start preparing now for severe winter weather<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26170"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26170\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}