For many, Snow and inclement weather has not been an issue this winter season yet. The key word here is yet. There’s a winter Storm, known as Winter Storm Jonas, heading and it may be one for the record books according to some weather reports. While, of course, no one – not even the experts – can be sure until it gets closer to hitting just how bad it will be. However, the potential for this to be one of the worst storms in history does exist. It’s always best to be prepared.

Weather predictions are preparing everyone for blizzard conditions from the mid-Atlantic to the East Coast. Washington, D.C. could get up to two feet of snow while New York can get anywhere from six inches to a foot and a half of snow. Right now, it’s anybody’s guess until the storm decides which way to go. A shift of a few miles may make the difference between six inches or up to two feet.

More importantly than the snow accumulation, though, might be the gusts of wind that may be hurricane worthy and the way this storm will hit. There may be risks of tornadoes in parts of the Country like Louisiana with ice storms in North Carolina. Coastal flooding looks to be a serious risk, as well.

Emergency Preparedness

If you’ve not gotten out yet and need at least the bare essentials, make sure you have enough water. Pipes can and will freeze during winter storms like these and you don’t know how long it will take till they thaw.

Bottled water and jugs of water are essential. Filling up pitchers and pots of water are a good idea too. If the power doesn’t go out, you can always boil the water.

Flashlights, batteries, matches, and battery operated candles and lights are a must-have, as well. Canned food is a good idea too. You can get chicken, tuna, soup, beans and so much more. Jarred foods like peanut butter, apple sauce, and snacks like nuts and raisins will sustain you and keep your energy up. If you’re heading out to shovel that snow, you want to make certain you have enough energy to do so.

Above all else, please make sure to have all your medications current and in full supply. If power does go out, you want to have all that you need in the house. Make sure to make a trip to the ATM to take out some cash in case there are serious, long-term outages where you will only be able to purchase important supplies with cash.

If you have a generator, make certain you have an open space to set it up. Check and find your extension cords now before lights and heat go out. Make certain you have oil and gas for using your generator if need be.

Very important to remember is to keep some sort of car charger handy in case you need to charge your cell phone. Make sure you know where it is before the storm hits. Check on your supply of shovels and rock salt and make sure your home is free of clutter. If power does go out, you don’t want to be tripping over everything in order to get your supplies.

If you have elders and pets in the house, make certain they are well prepared for. Food, hydration and medication are very important for them. If need be, you can always put your heat up high enough the day before the storm in order to ensure the house will stay warm enough if power does go out short term.

If you have a fireplace, make certain there is plenty of firewood. If you haven’t done so already, see if there is any availability to get those winter snow tires on, if it’s not too late. Make certain you have an updated oil change, plenty of supplies in your car, as well. Having extra blankets, flares and an emergency road kit in your car along with a case of water is a good idea.

However, if you can – and you should – please avoid going out on the roads. Just hunker down and wait for the storm to pass. If it’s not necessary to be out on the road, please for your safety and the safety of others – stay home.

Remember, it’s not only during the storm you need to be careful. Once all that snow hits, there will be plenty of ice to follow. Make sure to clear stoops and driveways and put down rock salt. Be especially careful after the storm. Stay home for as long as feasibly possible.

Don’t forget to cover outside pipes and insulate your home as best as possible. Of course, some of these things should have been done long before the storm, but if not, it’s time to get into action mode.

Last but not least, understand that everyone out there is in panic mode at the moment. Please remember that we are all in this together and we have all survived a snowstorm. It’s not the end of the world. Be calm, be reasonable and most of all, be safe.

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