Whether we like it or not, winter is coming.  We may not get weather like the photo above, but we have already had some cold, frosty weather and there will be plenty more to come. 

Winter Weather Preparedness Week is November 26 to December 2, 2023 in South Carolina, and December 3 to December 9, 2023 in North Carolina. Watch your local National Weather Service Facebook pages to see tips during this time.

What is so different about winter weather?  For one thing, it always comes as a surprise to those of us in the south! We tend to think of it as something that “happens up north.” The reality is that we get our share of winter weather including snow, ice storms, and polar vortex extreme cold. Many of our homes are not well insulated against cold and we are just not used to it.

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) has good tips on their website and a downloadable Severe Winter Weather preparedness guide which you can find here. Begin with things like carrying some warm clothes in your car along with a shovel and some rock salt. Winterize your home, check your generator, and brush up on safety tips. Many of the items from your basic emergency preparedness kit are still the staples, but heat sources are also important.

The North Carolina Emergency Management Division (DPS) Winter Weather page can be found here. Many of the preparedness tips are the same, but more warnings are included about using emergency power and heat sources.  These create carbon monoxide which can kill without you even being aware of its presence. Read and follow the safety warnings!

Follow your local National Weather Service (NWS) on the radio, on Facebook, and other platforms for up-to-date weather information and preparations tips. Their website includes information on winter travel safety, dressing for cold weather, and signs of hypothermia here.  

These resources will all help you stay warm and safe through the winter!