By Mark Scott, executive director of Market MontGOmery Chamber & Tourism • Most of Montgomery County dodged a bullet with the recent winter storm, but it was a serious event for those who did lose power, had a wreck or downed trees that caused damage to homes or property. And winter is not officially here until Dec. 21!
Here are some statistics from the storm and a few tips that might make your life easier and safer if and when the next winter storm arrives.
According to Gov. Roy Cooper, as of 10 a.m. Tuesday.
- 60 school systems were still closed and 17 were on delayed schedules.
- There were three storm-related deaths and one under investigation.
- 38,000 N.C. households were without power as of 10 a.m. Tuesday and more than half a million had power restored in N.C. during the storm.
- N.C. Highway Patrol responded to 2,326 accidents and 5,816 calls for service since the storm began Saturday.
- 169 soldiers from the North Carolina National Guard were still deployed Tuesday.
- There was an accumulation of 34 inches of snow in Yancey County, which is less than 160 miles from parts of Montgomery County.
- There could be river flooding due to melting ice and snow as well as possible rain on Thursday and Friday.
- The North Carolina Department of Transportation applied more than 38,000 tons of salt around the state. That’s 76 million pounds of salt!
Tips
- Do not go out during winter storms unless absolutely necessary.
- Do not use gas-powered items indoors for heating because carbon monoxide poisoning is a real danger.
- If you are able to safely get out, check on the elderly.
- When it is clear enough to drive, be sure to get ice and snow off your vehicle before you drive so it does not fly off and hit other cars or pedestrians.
- If you absolutely have to drive while conditions are difficult, be sure to have appropriate clothing in case you have car trouble, and have a shovel in case your vehicle gets stuck.
- Before possible winter weather, place a tarp over your steps so you and pets do not fall walking out of your home.
- Keep animals on leashes when you take them out. Ponds and bodies of water may be covered in ice or snow and the animals may not see the danger.
- If you normally keep dogs inside except to go to the bathroom, put a tarp or plastic box over a few feet of grass near your house that you can remove when it quits snowing so they will have a fresh patch of grass.
- Before the precipitation falls, place a tarp over your windshield. When the precipitation ends, simply pull it off and you won’t have to scrape ice or run the defroster too long.
- Keep a cup of frozen water in your freezer(s) with a coin on top. If the power goes out and the coin is still on top of the frozen water, your food is good. If the coin sank to the bottom of the cup, the food is likely no good as it thawed out.
- While you have power, keep phones and computers plugged in so they are 100 percent charged in case you lose power.
- If you’re outside and roads are still dangerous, cars may not be able to keep from sliding into you. Stay alert when you’re shoveling snow, walking animals, etc.
- If you get stuck or slide to the shoulder of a road, remember that other vehicles traveling that area may have the same problem. Be careful.
- If you need to shovel your driveway, consider doing it as soon as it stops snowing. If it melts a little it becomes much heavier. If it melts and freezes, it becomes even more difficult.
- Consider purchasing items that can keep your cell phone charged in case you lose power.