By Gordon Williams: Northwest Region Volunteer

Thanksgiving has passed and the deep dark days of winter lie ahead. With winter comes a whole array of perils to prepare for: below-freezing cold, snowy storms, heavy rain, flooding and a whole lot more. A late November mudslide killed six people in Alaska and the deadly Oso mudslide came in the month of March, at the tail end of a Washington winter.

"The time to prepare is before the snow falls and the ice forms,” says the Washington State Department of Health. The American  Red Cross adds, “Prepare now to protect yourself, your loved ones and your home.”

As for how to prepare, both the Red Cross and the Health Department offer lots of useful material. The first bit of advice is to keep informed about what is coming.

“Listen to your radio or television for winter storm forecasts and other information,” says the Health Department.

You are helped here by the fact that forecasters usually spot storms days before they reach you. 

The Red Cross offers advice on what to listen for when you listen to the weather forecast:

Wind-chill temperature. That will tell you how cold your exposed skin  will feel if you venture outdoors. It is usually well below the actual temperature.

Winter storm outlook. Severe winter weather is possible in two to five days.

Winter storm watch. Severe weather is possible in the next 36 to 48 hours.

Winter storm warning. Severe, possibly life-threatening weather, is likely within 24 hours.

The sum-up is this: A watch means Be Prepared. A warning means Take Action.

Additionally, follow the below safety tips to be prepared for winter weather:

1. Have a battery-powered radio, with plenty of spare batteries, so you can stay in touch even if power fails.
2. Make sure local officials know how to reach you with hazardous weather warnings and orders to evacuate.
3. Research ahead of time where you might go if a storm knocks out your power and you need a warm place to shelter.
4. Keep your cell phone charged. Have one or more power banks charged and ready for use in case power fails and you can't use a plug-in charger. 

Ideally, you have prepared your house to withstand winter. If you haven’t, follow this advice from the Health Department: “Insulate outside walls, attics and crawl spaces. Wrap pipes, especially near cold outer walls, or in attics or crawl spaces. Repair leaks in the roof, around the doors and in the windows.”

Space heaters are great to warm chilly corners, but they can turn deadly if not used properly. Make sure nothing flammable comes within three feet of a heater, and turn the heater off when you leave the room.

Consider a back-up generator if there is a risk you will lose power for a long time in a winter storm, but understand the risks a generator can pose before you actually use one. You should always run the generator outdoors, away from windows and doors. Carbon monoxide gas getting inside the home can be deadly.

You should also store the gasoline you use to power the generator far from your house so there is no risk of fire. Never use the generator to deliver power directly to your home electrical system. (Utility workers will expect to find your house system dead and power coming from your generator can kill them.) Have professional help to install a generator.

Not all perilous winter weather involves snow. The season also brings rain to the region, and rain can bring on the danger of floods and landslides.

Flooding is an obvious risk if you are near a river or other water source. Heavy rain can cause the river to overflow its banks, forcing the authorities to evacuate whole communities. Listen to weather forecasts if you are in a flood zone. Keep supplies at the ready in case you are forced to evacuate — changes of clothing, sanitary supplies, toys and puzzles for the kids, food and a carrier and comfort object for the dog. If the order to evacuate comes, obey it without delay. Even a few inches of water can make a road too dangerous to travel.

Be alert to the risk of landslides, especially if you live on a bluff or near ground that has been burned bare by wildfires. It turns out that Washington is one of the most landslide-prone U.S. states. Danger signs are cracks in the road or sidewalk, trees that suddenly appear to be leaning, and doors or windows that are suddenly hard to open or close. Prepare to leave quickly if there is even a hint of a landslide.

You should have a few days in which to prepare if a storm warning makes it likely you will be trapped at home for a while. Stock up on at least a week’s supply of non-perishable food. Have plenty of flashlights and batteries on hand in case power goes out. If you have a generator, make sure you have enough fuel to power it for a week.

You will have a few days in which to prepare before the storm hits, but if you wait too long you could find local stores sold out. And only take what you really need and will use — your neighbors need supplies too!