Jeff Klein, Emergency Management Agency director for Wood County, has issued the following advisory:
Today’s (12-22-22) NWS Cleveland Update:
- This is a multi-hazard weather event: wind, snow, cold into Saturday with impacts lasting until Monday.
- Rain showers have developed slower than expected but are expected to start this afternoon.
- Rain will transition to snow around midnight and expected to be approximately 2 inches by 7 a.m. and tapering off around 4-6 p.m.
- There is a windchill warning from 4 a.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday. Windchills are expected be -25 to-30F.
- Travel issues are expected from high winds, fresh snow and low temperatures will produce slick roadways, snow drifting causing reduced visibility.
We are expecting a copy of their presentation from today. We will pass it along once we receive it. It has a good breakdown for timing and what to expect.
Reminders:
Concerns
- Dangerous winds and ice will make many roads impassable with whiteout/ blizzard conditions.
- Electrical lines down due to wind and ice.
- Waterline breaks.
- Dangerous windchills for those who are outside or lose power and/or heat.
- Wood County wind chills will be -10F for 36- 48 hours.
- Winds will be like Blizzard of ‘78
Action Items
- As always, monitor current weather conditions for your location.
- If you don’t have to be outside to not leave home.
- If you do go out and have an issue (accident/ slide off the road) have supplies to be prepared to wait several hours or more for a tow truck.
- Make sure people know where you are going and estimated arrival time in case you do not arrive.
- Have a plan where you will go (hotel, business, friend) in case conditions worsen and you cannot safely continue.
- Make sure your destination is open and/or accessible.
- Secure loose outdoor items including holiday decorations.
- Prepare for power outages: extra fuel for generators, make sure they start and whoever will be using them knows the correct, safe operating procedures.
- Have sufficient food and supplies for the weekend.
- Prepare for your pet’s needs.
- Check on your neighbors to make sure they are safe.
- Consider changing travel plans to avoid driving on Friday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) will be providing updates on social media throughout this event. The Wood County EMA will provide updates via email and social media. The primary concern will be the combination of the hazardous road conditions (high winds over snow over ice) as well as the extreme cold.
