Staff report
If you own a Santa suit, this Christmas might be a good time to wear it. It’s fixing to get cold outside.
The National Weather Service is calling for a low of around 17 degrees on Christmas Eve in Pembroke – and 20 in Richmond Hill – with highs near 40 on Christmas Day.
And that’s not counting the wind chill, which because of gusty winds has meteorologists at the NWS expecting “wind chill readings of 0 to 10 degrees are possible Friday night into Saturday morning.”
Temperatures will drop back into the upper teens and low 20s on Sunday night before things start to slowly warm back up, the NWS said.
Bryan County Fire & Emergency Services posted a graphic on social media late Wednesday afternoon showing possible temperatures, noting, “We don’t often get this cold, so remember to protect your pets, wrap your pipes, and cover your plants.”
As cold as it’s going to get in coastal Georgia, the weather in Bryan County could be almost mild compared to other parts of the U.S. For starters, rain chances diminish after Thursday night, which leaves less of a chance for ice on roads once the temperature drops below freezing.
For another, a massive snowstorm with “dramatic temperature drops” not seen in decades was already affecting vast portions of the Plains and Rockies on Wednesday, according to the weather service AccuWeather. The storm is expected to strengthen over the weekend as it moves east.
Forecasts call for everything from freezing rain in the Northeast, impacting traffic, to sluggish iguanas falling from trees in Florida, where temperatures are expected to be in the 40s.
In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp on Wednesday declared a state of emergency, which expedites delivery of supplies such as propane and gas if they’re needed.
James Stallings, director of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, said power outages could result from high winds and may last several days.
The Georgia Department of Transportation began treating roads in Northwest Georgia with salt brine on Wednesday, GEMA said, and expected to begin salting bridges and highways in Metro Atlanta and Northeast Georgia on Thursday.
Some tips on winter weather preparedness from GEMA. While some of this might seem like overkill right now, it’s good information just in case it’s needed for future events.
Keep space heater safety in mind: Use electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches and non-glowing elements. Remember to keep all heat sources at least three feet away from furniture and drapes.
If you have a wood burning fireplace, consider storing wood to keep you warm if winter weather knocks out your heat. Also, make sure you have your chimney cleaned and inspected every year.
Have at least one of the following heat sources in case the power goes out:
Extra blankets, sleeping bags and warm winter coats
Fireplace or wood-burning stove with plenty of dry firewood, or a gas log fireplace
Kerosene heater, with proper ventilation.
Prepare your vehicle:
Fully winterize your vehicle: Have a mechanic check antifreeze, brakes, heater and defroster, tires, and windshield wipers to ensure they are in good shape. Keep your gas tank at least half full.
Keep an extra Ready kit in the trunk of your car. In addition to the basic essentials, consider adding a portable cell phone charger, ice scraper, extra blanket, sand for traction and jumper cables.
Make sure you have a cell phone with an emergency charging option (car, solar, hand crank, etc.) in case of a power failure.
People who depend on electricity to operate medical equipment should have alternate arrangements in place in case power is out for an extended period of time.
Plan to check on elderly/disabled relatives and neighbors.
Plan to bring pets inside.
Know where the manual release lever of your electric garage door opener is located and how to operate it in case you lose power.
Fill a gallon container with water and place them in the freezer to help keep food cold.
During Winter Weather
Listen to NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed of winter weather watches and warnings. Also monitor commercial radio, television, and the Internet.
Check on elderly/disabled relatives and neighbors. Bring pets inside.
Keep in mind that during a severe winter storm it could be hours, or even days, before emergency personnel are able to reach you. Don’t call 911 for information or to report a power outage.
Allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing.
Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
Winter storms are often accompanied by power outages. Always exercise caution when using alternative light and heating sources:
Use flashlights during power outages instead of candles to prevent the risk of fire, and have plenty of extra batteries on-hand.
Never use an oven to heat your home. Never bring portable generators, camp stoves and grills into your home; they should only be used outside. Keep them at least 20 feet away from your home’s windows, doors and vents to prevent deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
Follow tips for keeping food safe in an emergency.
Watch for frostbite. Warning signs include white or grayish-yellow skin, numbness and skin that feels unusually firm or waxy. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately. If medical help is not available, get the victim to a warm location and immerse the affected area in warm water. Frostbitten areas are numb and can be easily burned so avoid using heating pads, fireplaces or radiators for warming. Do not rub the frostbitten area; this could cause more damage.
Watch for signs of hypothermia, including shivering, memory loss, fumbling hands, slurred speech and drowsiness. If the victim’s body temperature is below 95 degrees, seek medical help immediately.
If medical help is not available, get the victim to a warm location, remove wet clothing, warm the center of the body first using an electric blanket and if conscious, give the victim warm, non-alcoholic beverages.