In The Valley, Press Release

LEHIGH COUNTY OFFICIALS ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO PREPARE FOR POTENTIAL STORMS

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Lehigh County, PA- Based upon the weather forecasts, we are expecting two weather systems to impact the region in our area. The first arriving Friday afternoon into the evening. The second system is expected Sunday night through Monday. See the details outlined and visit weather.gov/phi/winter for more specific information.

Preparing for emergencies is important! If you have not done so already, it is important to ensure you:

  • Check your family’s emergency supply kit – review and update your emergency supply kit. You should have at least a 72-hour supply of non-perishable food, water, medications, and other necessities to sustain you, your family and family pets, include an extra clean mask for each person in your household (remember a kit for your car and work). Find a complete list of items to include in your kit at https://www.ready.pa.gov/BePrepared/BuildKit/Pages/default.aspx
  • Review and update your emergency plan. Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes so it is important to plan in advance: how you will get to a safe place; how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations. Find a list of simple and practical steps at https://www.ready.pa.gov/BePrepared/MakeaPlan/Pages/default.aspx
  • Have an adequate communications plan – be sure friends and family know how to contact you. Teach family members how to use text messaging
  • Follow the directions of local officials – evacuation orders may be issued by officials, so follow their guidance.
  • Stay informed; Monitor local weather forecasts and news reports for our area. Remember to have spare batteries for your radio in case of a power outage.

STAYING SAFE AND HEALTHY DURING WINTER WEATHER

  • Stay indoors during extreme cold.
  • If you have to go outside, keep your trips brief and follow tips in this section.

Dress Warmly and Stay Dry when Working or Playing Outdoors:

    • Dress in layers and stay dry.
    • Wear a hat, scarf and mittens
    • Sleeves that are snug at the wrist.
    • Water-resistant coat and boots.
    • Several layers of loose-fitting clothing.
  • Be sure the outer layer of your clothing is tightly woven, preferably wind resistant, to reduce losing body-heat. Wool, silk or polypropylene inner layers of clothing will hold more body heat than cotton.
  • Stay dry – wet clothing chills the body quickly. Excess sweat will increase heat loss too, so remove extra layers of clothing whenever you feel too warm.

Monitor Body Temperature

  • Exposure to cold temperatures, whether indoors or outdoors, can cause serious or life- threatening health problems.
  • The most common cold-related problems are hypothermia and frostbite.

For pets and animals, bring them inside wherever possible and make sure drinking water stays unfrozen. For your home, protect your pipes and safely operate heating devices.

For more information and winter safety tips, please visit: https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather or www.listo.gov or by calling the Lehigh County Emergency Management Agency at (610) 782- 4600.

 

 

Information provided to TVL by:
County of Lehigh
www.lehighcounty.org