A winter storm watch is in effect for West Michigan. With 5 to 8 inches of snow expected over the weekend, Kent County Emergency Management officials want you to be prepared.
“You have to number one, respect the weather, know the potential.”
Jack Stewart, Kent County Emergency Management Coordinator is encouraging residents to make sure they’re not caught off guard. In other words if you’ve been putting things off because of the mild weather so far, now’s the time to get busy.
“You gotta make sure your car’s in good shape, don’t travel with less than a quarter tank of gasoline in your car, jumper cables and have the sense to stay home; don’t drive out to see if the roads are as bad as they say they are.”
Jumper cables, and have the sense to stay home. Don’t go out. And see if roads area as bad as they say they are. Avoid those behaviors.”
Stewart also says you should update your emergency preparedness plan in the event of severe weather.
“ For your home, make sure you have battery powered flashlights and batteries, because quite often our winter weather brings us ice storms which knocks out power lines and we could be without power for a few days. “
The cold weather can cause problems for many people, especially those with pre-existing medical conditions, the very young and the elderly Stewart says if possible, help out others in the community.
“Many of us have elderly neighbors, they be non-ambulatory, maybe offer to shovel their snow for them.”
Stewart also says don’t forget about your pets…puppies and kittens are especially sensitive as are older animals. He advises keeping them indoors as much as possible.
