Preparing for Winter Weather in Stark County

Ohio Winter Weather Safety Week November 14 - 20, 2009

Autumn in Stark County, Ohio signals the beginning of the winter weather season. Now that temperatures are colder, residents begin thinking of the upcoming winter season and often wonder what they can do to prepare. Included here are a few important actions northeast Ohio residents can take to begin preparing for the upcoming winter weather in Ohio.

Have a Plan

Many resources are available online to assist you and your family to make a winter disaster plan.

A winter storm can strike at any time. Every family in Stark County should have a plan of how they will deal with a major winter storm. The best time to prepare for a winter weather event is to think about what you will do now. Waiting until a blizzard is forecast to strike will only add more stress to an already stressful situation. Make your plan now before you really need to put it into action.

Keep Informed of the Weather

Today, there is really no excuse for not keeping well-informed about our weather in Stark County. Radio, TV, Newspapers, and the Internet all offer several resources for up-to-the-minute weather reports and forecasts.

But, the absolute best way to keep informed of our local weather conditions and the latest forecasts is with an NOAA Weather Radio. These handy radio receivers are indespensible when it comes to weather information directly from the source - The National Weather Service. Every household, school, office, and workplace should have one of these inexpensive receivers. If a winter storm is in the forecast, an NOAA Weather Radio will sound an alarm to warn you of the upcoming event - even at night. Plus, you can get constant updates and local forecasts at the touch of a button.

We highly recommend that you purchase one TODAY. They're available from several online stores, local big-box stores, and speciality shops for as low as $30.00. NOAA Weather Radio is a service of your National Weather Service office and provides round the clock weather information, including all the latest winter weather information.

The National Weather Service transmits weather information 24/7/365. This constantly-updated information is available with an NOAA Weather Radio.

With holiday travel season coming up, it’s more critical than ever that you keep up with the weather - from home to your destination and everywhere in between. If winter precipitation is in the forecast, you might consider delaying the trip to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation. Even small amounts of freezing drizzle, sleet or snow can cause significant travel problems.

Develop and Maintain an Emergency Supplies Kit

A winter storm safety kit will be critical to your safety should a major winter storm cause you to lose electrical power and/or water service. A three-day supply of essential supplies, including water and food for the family, batteries, flashlights and medical supplies, should be in place, easily accessible, and checked frequently. This supply kit could be the same one you should have on hand during tornado season. In addition, if you have to travel this winter, you should have an emergency survival kit in your vehicle as well.

Pay attention to winter weather watches, warnings and advisories

The National Weather Service Office in Cleveland serves the communities in Stark County. They work around the clock to get the word out as far in advance as possible when winter storms approach. Whether you get your information from television and radio, the Internet or weather radio, you should keep up to date on the latest forecasts and warnings. An explaination of what these terms are and their meanings is included with this guide. Become familiar with the terms so you know exactly what threats Mother Nature is sending our way.