Although Collin County does not have to deal with winter
precipitation very often, we still get the
occasional winter storm which lasts just long enough to cause temperatures to plummet and
road conditions to become treacherous.
Wind Chill - What Is It?
The wind chill index is the temperature your body feels when the
air temperature is combined with wind speed. The greater the wind speed, the faster we
lose body heat. Thus, the wind chill can make a fairly moderate winter
day equivalent to a much colder one — sometimes dangerously so.
To see how much the wind speed can affect the wind chill factor at
different air temperatures, view the National Weather Service
Wind Chill Temperature Index Chart.
During A Winter Storm
- Listen to the TV or radio
- Keep your Disaster Kit on hand
- Stay indoors
- If you do have to go outside wear several layers of clothing
including a hat and gloves and take measures to stay dry.
- Watch for frostbite - loss of feeling, white or pale fingers,
toes, nose and or ears
- Watch for signs of hypothermia - uncontrollable shivering, slurred
speech, drowsiness, memory lapses and stumbling
Driving in a Winter Storm
Of course the best thing to do is not to drive in bad weather conditions but, if you must, please take extra care.
- Tell someone where you are going and the route you will take to
get there
- Keep your gas tank full
- Have a bag of sand or non-clumping cat litter in your car. This
may help give you traction if you get stuck
- Tire chains can help but they are not always permitted. Check with
local authorities before using them
- Drive slowly. You certainly won't get there any faster if you wreck
- Never slam on your breaks especially if you don't have anti-lock
brakes. Pump them to slow yourself down
- If you get stuck, stay with your car and, unless you can clearly
see a building or destination, do not attempt to walk to safety
- Tie a bright colored cloth to the antenna to help alert rescuers
- Use the heater in your car sparingly. Start it once an hour for
10 minutes
- Make sure your exhaust pipe is clear so that carbon monoxide fumes do no back up
into your car
- Leave interior car lights on when running your car. This may help
rescuers see you
- Move around in your car to help keep the blood circulating in your
body and aid in keeping you warm
- Leave a window cracked to allow fresh air in. Make sure that the
window you crack is not facing the wind outside
Afterwards
- Help those in need
- When shoveling snow, be careful, dress warm and don't over exert yourself.
Shoveling snow can be very tiring
- Drive carefully. Snow will melt and then refreeze at night creating very
icy conditions
- If you have lost power use a flashlight instead of candles to prevent accidental
fires
