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Prepare for
Iowa's Winter Storms

The American Red Cross is urging families to take the following actions now to prepare for hazardous winter weather.

“Winter storms can be ‘deceptive killers’ since the majority of winter-related deaths are caused by events related to the heavy snowfall, high winds, and freezing rain that often accompanies them,” said Bill Campbell, Executive Director of the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter, “People can become trapped at home without utilities or other services. Motorists can become stranded in their vehicles. Walking and driving can become hazardous. But people can stay safer if they listen to the advice of local authorities and take action to get prepared ahead of time.”

The Red Cross recommends everyone prepare for severe weather conditions in the following ways:  

Get a Disaster Supplies Kit For Your Home:

• Three-day supply of water (one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and hygiene).
• Three-day supply of non-perishable, high-energy food and a manual can opener.
• First aid kit and essential medications.
• Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio.
• Flashlight, and extra batteries.
• Extra warm clothing, including boots, mittens, and a hat.
• Copies of important documents (birth certificate, title/deed to home, insurance policies, etc) in a water-proof container.

Get a Disaster Supplies Kit For Your Vehicle: (all of the above plus)

• Blankets or sleeping bags.
• Jumper cables.
• Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type).
• Compass and road maps.
• Shovel.
• Tire repair kit and pump.
• Flares.
• Extra clothing to keep dry.
• Sack of sand or cat litter (for tire traction).
• Tow rope.

Make a Winter Storm Plan:

• Be prepared to shelter at home in case of severe weather.  Have additional food and water stored to last seven to fourteen days.
• Have extra blankets on hand.
• Ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, a hat, and water-resistant boots.
• Assemble a disaster supplies kit for your home and vehicle.
• Have your vehicle winterized before the weather gets severe.
• Decide how you would communicate with your family members should you be separated and unable to travel when a winter storm hits.

If the Power Goes Out:

• Do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. Use flashlights only.
• Use items in the refrigerator first, then freezer, then non-perishable foods.
• Use generators correctly – If you have a portable generator and the power goes out, always plan to keep the generator outdoors. Never operate it inside, including the basement, garage, carport or near any open windows. Connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.
  Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring.  

For more information about how you can prepare for a variety of winter weather-related disasters including winter and ice storms, power outages and floods contact the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter.

Watches - Warnings - Advisories

The National Weather Service uses specific winter weather terms to ensure that people know what to expect in the coming days and hours . A Winter Storm Watch means that severe winter conditions, such as heavy snow and/or ice, may affect your area, but its occurrence, location and timing are still uncertain. A winter storm watch is issued to provide 12 to 36 hours notice of the possibility of severe winter weather. A winter storm watch is intended to provide enough lead time so those who need to set plans in motion can do so. A watch is upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning when 4 or more inches of snow or sleet is expected in the next 12 hours, or 6 or more inches in 24 hours, or 1/4 inch or more of ice accretion is expected. Winter Weather Advisories inform you that winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences that may be hazardous. If caution is exercised, advisory situations should not become life-threatening. A Blizzard Warning means that snow and strong winds will combine to produce a blinding snow (near zero visibility), deep drifts, and life-threatening wind chill. Be sure to listen carefully to the radio, television, and NOAA Weather Radio for the latest winter storm watches, warnings, and advisories.

Are you
Red Cross Ready?

The Iowa Great Lakes Chapter has detailed information on how to make a Disaster Plan for your home, school, workplace and community.
Stop by our office Monday-Friday
from 8am to 5pm to pick up these valuable and life-saving brochures.

Click Here to view the "Red Cross Ready" online Educational Presentation . 

The Iowa Great Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross responds to approximately 12 home fires each year within Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth and Palo Alto counties! And, we remain committed to teaching people the skills they need to help prevent home fires, and to providing shelter, food, clothing and other services to help home fire victims get back on their feet. Make Your  Home "Fire Safe" Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home. If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas, too. Use the test button to check each smoke alarm once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace all batteries once a year. Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly. Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time. Replace your smoke alarms every ten years. Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department in how to use them. Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home. Plan Your Escape Route Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home. Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floor. Learn how to use them and store them near the window. Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after escaping. Practice your escape plan at least twice a year. Escape Safely Once you are out, stay out! Call the fire department from a neighbor's home. If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to your exit. If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second way out. If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are.  Satellite Office Hours in Emmetsburg Due to the strong support of the citizens of Palo Alto County and the city of Emmetsburg, the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross has opened a satellite office at 2105 Main Street, the the Brink Building, in downtown Emmetsburg. Emmetsburg Office Hours Wednesdays 9am - 4pm (December 31 - 9am-1pm) Brinks Building 2105 Main Street Emmetsburg,IA.  50536 (712) 852-2099 amredcross@iowatelecom.net