Winter storm update

From Mike Honigsberg:

Severe winter weather will occur late Sunday through Monday. The NWS has placed us in a Winter Storm Watch starting Sunday evening through Tuesday morning. This will most likely change into a Winter Storm Warning as new data comes in. It may be updated to a Blizzard watch or warning as the data is updated. The storm track is still not exactly determined but based on the data from this morning, the Low pressure system will track through the central part of Oklahoma and then lift Northeastward. This means that anyone or area “NORTH” of the low will experience heavy snow and possibly blizzard conditions due to the 25-45 mph winds that will accompany this system. Snow totals and lines on any forecast maps right now are relative because we still lack exact data on the storm track. ANYONE living north of I-40 and West of I-35 should prepare for this storm system today and tomorrow. Highs today will be in the mid to upper 40’s and Sunday’s high will be in the 50’s. Things will go downhill rapidly starting late tomorrow.

A few things to keep in mind before going into the panic mode:

First: make sure you have the necessary food, water, and other necessary item’s in your house in the event you can’t get out for a few days. This is something you should already have accomplished in a normal day to day routine. Stocking up a little won’t hurt. Make sure you have a snow shovel around the house so you can clear a path for yourself and your family. Fill up your vehicles so you have plenty of fuel if you absolutely have to get out. Another advantage to this is if you have a standard 18 gallon tank, this will give you approximately an additional 150 pounds or so of weight to your vehicle.

Second: if you have made plans to travel-DON’T. Many people seem to think that they can drive through anything. Especially with a 4 wheel drive vehicle. The thing about 4-wheel drive is that it can get you into trouble twice as quickly if you don’t know what you are doing. Also, people don’t leave prepared in the event they get stranded out there somewhere. If you have that dire need to leave, at least put an emergency kit together and have it inside the vehicle in the event you need it. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged and take a car charger with you. Here is a direct link to the NWS WINTER WEATHER PAGE for you to reference from. http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/?n=safety-winter
The reason I state “don’t leave” is this, we in emergency services are human too. If you decide to leave and then get into a bind, you may not know where you are. Even though you call 911,DEPENDING where you are, the system may not be able to pinpoint your exact location. This is a nightmare for us because we are out there too trying to find you and this puts us at risk. If you don’t have to be out, stay in. That solves that issue.

Third: after getting totally prepared, watch the weather and stay up with the latest either on the internet or on television. Remember, listen to our local FM radio stations here in Garfield County for local information. Keep an eye on the newspaper’s website and of course ours. On our website, http://gcem.org you can go to “links” and get just about whatever you would need to keep up with everything. Hopefully we don’t lose power.

Finally, please heed our advice and don’t be complacent. Make every effort to prepare for this event so you and your family will stay safe and warm. Remember, Spring is around the corner too!!
We will send out Nixle, Viaradio, Facebook, twitter and email alerts as this system gets itself together. Stay up with what the NWS is thinking at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/
Remember the warnings that are sent out by the above mentioned systems come from your office of Emergency Management for Enid and Garfield County. We’ll do our best to keep you advised.
1-Sign up for Text Alerts from Emergency Management at www.nixle.com or text your zip code to 888777 for SMS notifications. Follow the instructions.

2-If you want our email updates and forecast information email the director at mike.honigsberg@onenet.net

3-Follow us on Face book at https://www.facebook.com/pages/EnidGarfield-County-Emergency-Management/211404848898087 be sure to LIKE this page

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