Although winter doesn’t officially start until Dec. 21, now is the best time to start preparing for winter weather. With this in mind, Gov. Jim Pillen declared Thursday, Nov. 9 as Nebraska Winter Weather Awareness Day to remind Nebraskans to start preparing for potential winter storms which inevitably impact Nebraska every year.
While the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center reports an El Nino in place heading into winter with warmer than average temperatures for the northern tier of the continental United States expected, it’s better to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
“Getting ready for winter weather doesn’t just happen,” said Nebraska Emergency Management Agency Assistant Director Erv Portis. “It’s a choice. Make the choice this season to help your family, friends, employees and everyone you know prepared for winter weather.”
Make a plan, stay informed and build a kit before watches and warnings are issued. Prepare a winter storm plan to enable you and your family to survive for up to 72 hours without any outside assistance. Make sure to have extra blankets on hand, and ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves and mittens, hat and water-resistant boots. Also, make sure all family members know what to do when a winter storm watch or warning is issued.
It’s important to know where to get the best information on in upcoming weather events.
- Know what National Weather Service office to follow for your area. Nebraska is covered by six National Weather Service coverage areas from west to east they are:
- Cheyenne, Wyoming – Panhandle
North Platte Nebraska – West and North central
Hastings, Nebraska – South Central - Goodland, Kansas – Extreme Southwest
Omaha/Valley, Nebraska — East - Sioux Falls, South Dakota – Far Northeast
- Cheyenne, Wyoming – Panhandle
- The Nebraska Department of Transportation’s Nebraska Traveler 511 System provides traffic camera, winter road conditions and plow trackers to assist people as they travel across the state.
- Nebraska Emergency Management Agency’s website includes readiness tips to help Nebraskans get prepared for winter weather.
Those who travel even during the worst of times are advised to carry a winter storm supply kit in their vehicle. Assemble a separate disaster supplies kit for the trunk of each car used by members of your family that includes:
- Blankets or sleeping bag
- Extra sets of dry clothing
- A windshield scraper
- A shovel
- A container of sand
- Tire chains
- Battery booster/jumper cables
- A tow chain or rope
- First aid kit
- Flashlight with batteries
- Transistor radio with batteries
- Nonperishable food