Hazardous Weather Hitting East and West Coasts ─ Follow these Safety Steps

Bomb Cyclone, Atmospheric River Blast Pacific Northwest, Northern California as Snow Heads to Northeast, Mid-Atlantic States

Two powerful storm systems are hitting the Pacific Northwest and Northern California this week, unleashing hurricane-force winds, several feet of mountain snow and a month’s worth of rain in just days.

Meanwhile, a separate storm system will bring accumulating snow to the Northeast and as far south as the mountains of North Carolina. Winter storm watches and warnings have been issued and at least six inches of snow is expected across northeastern Pennsylvania and New York, while the higher elevations in southwest PA, West Virginia and Maryland could see as much as a foot of snow.

Out west, a bomb cyclone is combining with an atmospheric river to bring hazardous conditions to the area all week. Strong winds have left more than half a million customers in Washington and California without power. Several feet of snow are possible across the higher elevations and blizzard warnings are out for the Washington Cascades. The National Weather Service reports travel will be difficult to impossible as the winter weather in the mountains combines with more than 16 inches of rain falling in parts of northern California in just two days, leading to flooding and landslides.

The American Red Cross is preparing to respond if necessary, with disaster teams standing by to help. People in the path of this hazardous weather should follow these safety steps:

WINTER STORM SAFETY Before a winter storm, make a plan to stay warm and connected. Know where you will go and how you will get there if your home becomes too cold.

• During a winter storm, stay warm indoors. If your home becomes too cold, go to a public library, shopping mall or warming center.

• Use care with space heaters and fireplaces to prevent fires. Keep anything that could catch fire at least 3 feet from the heat.

• Use battery-powered lights and flashlights instead of candles to prevent fires.

• To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, don’t use an oven to heat your home. Only use generators, grills, and camp stoves outdoors and away from windows.

• If you must go outside, wear layers of loose clothing, a coat, hat, mittens and water-resistant boots. Use a scarf to cover your face and mouth.

• Check on loved ones and neighbors to make sure they are staying warm, particularly if they are older or live alone.

• Be careful walking on snow or ice, and avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. If possible, work with a partner and take frequent breaks.

POWER OUTAGE Consider your electrical needs and ask yourself how you will stay warm or cool, make food, have clean water and communicate with others.

• In some situations, it may not be safe to stay home, so know where you will go if you need to evacuate, how you will get there and where you will stay.

• Unplug appliances and electronics to avoid damage from power surges. Leave one light on, so you’ll know when power is restored.

• Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns — not candles to avoid fires.

• Don’t drive unless necessary. Traffic lights will be out and roads could be congested.

• To prevent illness, keep food cold. When in doubt, throw it out. Eat fresh, perishable foods first. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to help keep food cold. Use coolers with ice if necessary. Throw out perishable food that has been warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

• If you’re using a generator, keep it dry and don’t use it in wet conditions. Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning device inside a home, garage, basement or other partially enclosed area. Keep this equipment outside and away from doors, windows and vents, which could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. Operate the generator on a dry surface and don’t touch a generator with wet hands. Turn the generator off and let it cool down before refueling. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could catch fire. Plug appliances directly into the generator. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet.

• Carbon monoxide kills. If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak, get to fresh air right away.

FLOODING SAFETY Be prepared to evacuate immediately if local officials advise. Don’t return home until officials say its safe.

• Don’t walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Turn around, don’t drown!

• Stay off the roads. If you must drive and you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around and go another way. Just 6 inches of fast-moving floodwater can knock you over, and 12 inches can carry your car away.

• Follow evacuation routes and don’t try to take shortcuts because they may be blocked.

• If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising around you, quickly get out of the car, move to higher ground and stay there.

• Stay away from floodwaters which may contain sewage, sharp items, bacteria and chemicals that can make you sick.

LANDSLIDE SAFETY If you suspect you are in danger, evacuate immediately and take your pets with you.

• Inform close neighbors and contact your local fire or police department.

• If a landslide watch or warning has been issued, consider sleeping somewhere else. Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris. This includes trees cracking or boulders knocking together.

• If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow. • Notice whether the water changes from clear to muddy. Such changes may mean there is debris flow activity upstream.

• Be prepared to move quickly. Be especially alert when driving. Watch for collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks and other indications of a possible debris flow.

• Stay off the roads when possible. If you become stranded, stay in the vehicle and wait for help.

• Stay warm to avoid frostbite and hypothermia. Your nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes are often the first areas affected. Signs of frostbite include pain, numbness or a change in skin color. Signs of hypothermia, which can be deadly, often include shivering, confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech. Act fast and get out of the cold immediately if you see signs of hypothermia or frostbite. Get emergency medical care right away.

Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for real-time weather alerts, open shelter locations and expert advice in both English and Spanish. Search “American Red Cross” in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps.