Winter Weather Preparedness Week


Governor John Hickenlooper has declared October 23 - 29, 2011, Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Colorado

About Winter Weather Preparedness Week, Dave Hard, Director of the Colorado Division of Emergency Management said, "Coloradans have a responsibility to themselves, their loved ones, friends, neighbors and fellow citizens, to prepare for the possible impacts of severe weather.  There are a number of resources available to keep us prepared and informed as the snow and ice return to Colorado."

The National Weather Service maintains a comprehensive Winter Weather links page that provides a number of Colorado-specific reports, avalanche information and preparedness information.  In addition to keeping up with the latest NWS Colorado Weather Advisories/Watches and Warnings, you should know what your local "sources" for emergency information, including available sms/text/email alerts, websites, local contact numbers and emails.  These local sources will be the best contacts for specific hazard and response actions in your area or the area to which you are traveling.  For specific tips on preparedness, there are some great winter preparedness checklists available online from READYColorado.

Each day highlights a certain aspect of winter preparedness:
·       Monday -  Winter Travel Safety
·       Tuesday - Watches...Warnings...and Advisories
·       Wednesday - High Winds
·       Thursday - Wind Chill Temperatures and Hypothermia
·       Friday - Avalanche Safety
·       Saturday - Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Review

The Colorado Division of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service stress the importance of families and individuals putting together an emergency supplies kit for any kind of emergency or disaster Coloradans might face like winter storms, floods, or wildfires. 

Robert Glancy of the National Weather Service said, "Winter weather can strike quickly, and abruptly.  Pay attention to forecasts and heed warnings, don't take unnecessary trips during a winter storm.  Make sure you have a 72 hour kit for your home and car, and realize that during large winter storms disrupted services can linger for 72 hours or longer."

Are you prepared?
Downloadable checklists for suggested items to stock in your 72-Hour Family Emergency Kit may be found on the www.READYColorado.com website.  There are also suggestions for kits for the home, the workplace, car and for pets.

Governor Hickenlooper's proclamation states that, "...an informed and prepared citizenry and organized disaster emergency teams can help the public better cope with and survive the effects of winter weather." 

Winter weather in Colorado can change rapidly and it is important to be prepared for these rapid changes.  The National Weather Service (NWS) can alert you of potential winter storms as far as seven days in advance, and will issue watches up to three days in advance of a storm, and warnings when there is a high confidence of a storm in the next 12 to 36 hours.

Resources
-National Weather Service Winter weather watches/warnings/advisories: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/product.php?site=BOU&product=WSW&issuedby=BOU

-Colorado Avalanche Information Center Homepage: http://avalanche.state.co.us/index.php