958
NOUS42 KGSP 220950
PNSGSP
NCZ068-070-071-082-SCZ008-009-013-014-241100-
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
450 AM EST THU JAN 22 2026
..PREPARING FOR AN ICE STORM
HEAVY ACCUMULATIONS OF ICE ON TREES AND POWER LINES OFTEN CAUSE
ELECTRICAL OUTAGES. OUTAGES PRODUCED BY MAJOR ICE STORMS ARE
USUALLY WIDESPREAD - WITH MANY HOMES AFFECTED FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND
SOME FOR A WEEK OR MORE. WHEN AN ICE STORM WARNING IS ISSUED FOR
YOUR LOCATION TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO PREPARE FOR PROLONGED POWER
OUTAGES.
LOCATE FLASHLIGHTS, LANTERNS, AND PORTABLE RADIOS SO THAT THEY
ARE ACCESSIBLE WHEN THE POWER GOES OUT. CHECK THAT THEY HAVE
FRESH BATTERIES. BE VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT USING CANDLES AS A LIGHT
SOURCE. CANDLES CAN EASILY TIP OVER AND START A FIRE. CHECK THAT
SMOKE ALARMS ARE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER AND THAT THEY HAVE A
BATTERY BACKUP IN CASE THE POWER GOES OUT. A BATTERY-OPERATED
NOAA WEATHER RADIO IS AN ESPECIALLY GOOD TOOL FOR KEEPING
ABREAST OF THE LATEST WINTER WEATHER DEVELOPMENTS.
NEVER OPERATE A GENERATOR INDOORS, INSIDE A GARAGE, OR NEAR THE
AIR INTAKE OF YOUR HOME BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF CARBON MONOXIDE
POISONING. ALSO, NEVER USE A CHARCOAL GRILL OR A PORTABLE GAS
CAMP STOVE INDOOR. CONSIDER INVESTING IN A CARBON MONOXIDE
DETECTOR - ESPECIALLY ONE WITH A BATTERY BACKUP.
PREPARE FOR THE POSSIBILITY THAT YOUR HOME COULD BE WITHOUT
CENTRAL HEATING FOR SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THE STORM. YOU MAY WANT
TO CONSIDER OBTAINING AN ALTERNATIVE HEAT SOURCE SUCH AS A WOOD
OR GAS FIREPLACE OR STOVE, OR A KEROSENE HEATER, AS WELL AS ANY
NECESSARY FUEL. MAINTAIN VENTILATION WHEN USING A KEROSENE
HEATER TO AVOID A BUILD-UP OF TOXIC FUMES. ALWAYS REFUEL
HEATERS OUTSIDE AND KEEP ALL HEATERS AT LEAST THREE FEET
AWAY FROM FLAMMABLE OBJECTS.
STORE DRINKING WATER IF YOUR WATER SUPPLY IS PUMPED FROM A WELL.
STOCK UP ON CANNED FOOD OR OTHERS FOODS THAT DO NOT NEED TO BE
COOKED. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A NON-ELECTRIC CAN OPENER AT YOUR
DISPOSAL. ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE ADEQUATE BABY FOOD, PRESCRIPTIONS,
AND ANY OTHER NECESSARY HOUSEHOLD ITEMS BEFORE THE STORM STRIKES.
IF YOU HAVE NO SOURCE OF HEAT, WATCH FOR SIGNS OF HYPOTHERMIA.
THESE INCLUDE: UNCONTROLLED SHIVERING, SLOW SPEECH, MEMORY LOSS,
STUMBLING, SLEEPINESS, OR EXTREME TIREDNESS. TO COMBAT THE COLD,
DRESS IN SEVERAL LAYERS OF LOOSE-FITTING CLOTHING AND WEAR A HAT
AND GLOVES. CLOSE OFF UNUSED ROOMS IN YOUR HOME AND SEAL ANY
DRAFTY DOORS OR WINDOWS. AVOID CONSUMING ALCOHOL SINCE IT CAN
CAUSE THE BODY TO LOSE HEAT MORE QUICKLY.
DURING ICE STORMS, TREES AND LARGE BRANCHES CAN FALL ON YOUR
HOME AND POSSIBLY CAUSE DAMAGE OR INJURIES. AVOID PARTS OF YOUR
HOME THAT COULD BE HIT BY FALLING TREES OR LIMBS AND DO NOT STAND
UNDER TREES IF YOU VENTURE OUTSIDE. CONSIDER HAVING PROFESSIONALS
REMOVE TREES OR BRANCHES THAT ARE TOO CLOSE TO YOUR HOME BEFORE
THE NEXT STORM.
REMEMBER TO CHECK ON FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS. THE ELDERLY
AND CHRONICALLY ILL ARE MOST AT RISK DURING POWER OUTAGES. IT MAY
BE NECESSARY TO EVACUATE SUCH ONES TO MEDICAL FACILITIES,
SHELTERS, OR OTHER LODGING WHERE ELECTRICITY AND HEAT ARE
AVAILABLE.
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