Extreme Weather and Your Health
Extreme weather events, including flooding, heat emergencies, freezing temperatures, ice storms, snowstorms, and tornadoes, can inflict considerable damage and pose serious safety risks. Being prepared for these emergencies is crucial for minimizing their effects. Due to climate change, such extreme weather events are increasingly frequent and intense. Higher temperatures can lead to more severe heatwaves, while shifting weather patterns may result in stronger storms, heavier snowfall, and increased flooding.
Having an action plan, emergency supplies, and knowledge on how to respond can significantly help protect you, your family, and your property during these emergencies. Staying informed and taking proactive measures is essential to ensure your safety as weather patterns evolve.
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Extreme Weather Events Impact Your Health
Extreme weather and climate change can have a serious impact on your health. Rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves can lead to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and worsen conditions like asthma or heart disease. Stronger storms, flooding, and wildfires can create hazardous air quality and increase the spread of diseases. Freezing temperatures, ice storms, and heavy snow can lead to injuries from slips, falls, or exposure to cold-related illnesses. Climate change also affects the availability of clean water and food, which can further harm health. Taking steps to prepare for extreme weather and staying informed about changing conditions is essential for protecting your health.
Protect Your Health
Protecting your health before, during, and after a severe weather event is essential for staying safe. Before an event, it’s important to stay informed by monitoring weather reports, creating an emergency plan, and gathering essential supplies like water, medications, and non-perishable food. During the event, stay indoors, avoid traveling, and follow safety guidelines for specific emergencies, like staying cool during a heatwave or keeping warm in cold temperatures. After the event, be cautious of potential hazards such as flooded areas, downed power lines, or damaged buildings. Continue to monitor your health and seek medical help if needed. Preparing in advance and staying alert can help minimize risks to your health during severe weather.
Winter Weather Alerts: What They Mean
- Winter Weather Advisory: Weather conditions that may cause inconvenience but aren’t life-threatening.
- Winter Storm Watch: A possible storm with heavy snow or ice in the next 12-36 hours.
- Winter Storm Warning: A storm that is happening or expected soon in your area.
- Blizzard Warning: Winds over 35 mph and heavy snow, reducing visibility for at least 3 hours.
- Extreme Cold Warning: Extremely cold wind chills that can cause frostbite in 30 minutes or less. Stay indoors.
- Cold Weather Advisory: Dangerously cold wind chills are possible. Be prepared in case conditions change quickly.
- Hard Freeze Warning: Temperatures below 28°F for an extended period, which can harm crops and plants.
Winter Weather Prep: Stay Safe and Ready
Ensure your home, office, car, and pets are prepared for winter storms. Here are some simple tips to help you stay safe:
- Stay off the roads: If you must drive, go slow. Watch out for black ice.
- Stay indoors: Dress warmly and stay inside as much as possible.
- Prepare for power outages: Consider a generator and always use it outside.
- Stay informed: Keep up with weather alerts from the National Weather Service and NOAA.
- Check on neighbors: Look for signs of hypothermia or frostbite, like shivering or blue skin.
- Have an emergency kit: Stock up on food, water, extra prescriptions, and supplies for your car.
- Care for pets: Make sure pets and farm animals have warm shelter.
- Extreme cold: Even without snow, cold weather can be dangerous. Warm up slowly if you or someone else shows signs of frostbite or hypothermia.
For more tips, visit Ready.gov and the National Weather Service.
Winter Driving: Be Prepared
Before winter hits, make sure your car is ready. Carry a Winter Storm Survival Kit with these essential items:
- Mobile phone and charger
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- First-aid kit
- Knife
- High-calorie, non-perishable food
- Extra dry clothes
- Large can (for emergency toilet use), tissues, and paper towels
- Small can and waterproof matches (to melt snow for drinking water)
- Sand or cat litter for traction
- Shovel
- Windshield scraper and brush
- Tool kit
- Battery booster cables
- Water container
- Candle and matches (for light and heat in emergencies)
- Compass and road maps
Summer Weather Alerts: What They Mean
- Heat Advisory: The heat index is expected to reach 105-109 degrees within the next 12-24 hours.
- Excessive Heat Warning: The head index is expected to reach or exceed 110 degrees within the next 12-24 hours.
- Excessive Heat Watch: There is potential for the heat index to reach or exceed 110 within the next 24-48 hours.
- Flood Watch: Conditions are favorable for flooding.
- Flood Warning: Flooding is imminent or occurring
- Flash Flood Watch: Flooding is expected within 6 hours after heavy rainfall.
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning: severe thunderstorms are occurring or imminent in the identified area including winds 58mph or higher and/or hail 1 inch in diameter or larger.
- Tornado Watch: Conditions are favorable for a tornado to form.
- Tornado Warning: A tornado is imminent; seek safe shelter immediately.
Prepare for Extreme Heat
- Learn to recognize the signs of heat illness.
- Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature or prevent heat-related illnesses.
- Identify places in your community where you can go to get cool such as libraries and shopping malls or contact your local health department to find cooling options in your area.
- Cover windows with drapes or shades.
- Weather-strip doors and windows.
- Use window reflectors specifically designed to reflect heat back outside.
- Add insulation to keep the heat out.
- Use a powered attic ventilator, or attic fan, to regulate the heat level of a building’s attic by clearing out hot air.
- Install window air conditioners and insulate around them.
- If you are unable to afford your cooling costs, weatherization or energy-related home repairs, contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for help.
Be Safe DURING Extreme Heat
- Never leave people or pets in a closed car on a warm day.
- If air conditioning is not available in your home find a cooling option.
- Take cool showers or baths.
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Use your oven less to help reduce the temperature in your home.
- If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
- Avoid high-energy activities or work outdoors, during midday heat, if possible.
- Check on family members, older adults and neighbors.
- Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Consider pet safety. If they are outside, make sure they have plenty of cool water and access to comfortable shade. Asphalt and dark pavement can be very hot to your pet’s feet.
- Heat waves may cause you to lose power.
For more tips, visit Ready.gov and the National Weather Service.
