Dec. 17, 2008
Winter weather caught you off guard?
King County Office of Emergency Management offers safety tips during this winter storm
If the snow and freezing temperatures caught you unprepared, there are still things you can do to keep yourself and family safe. The King County Office of Emergency Management offers the following tips for surviving winter storms:
When the storm strikes
- When the snow begins to fall, road conditions can deteriorate very quickly. Drive only if necessary and limit travel to daylight hours if at all possible. Keep others informed of your schedule and route, and stay on main roads.
- If you ride the bus, check your timetable for snow routes and wait at the top or bottom of hills. Remember, buses will be more crowded than usual and not always on schedule. Tips on using Metro Transit in adverse weather: http://metro.kingcounty.gov/tops/bus/snow.html
- Protect your pets by keeping them warm, dry and sheltered with access to non-frozen water.
- Be aware that power failures and other service disruptions may occur. Keep a battery operated radio, flashlights and extra batteries on hand.
- Listen to local radio and television stations for information on school closures, schedule changes and other weather related updates.
Use 9-1-1 responsibly
Only call 9-1-1 if you need immediate emergency assistance from police, fire or emergency medical personnel. For all other non-urgent situations that require assistance call your local police or fire department.
For more information about winter storm related tips and resources, visit www.takewinterbystorm.org.