Below Freezing Temps, Snow, Ice and Wind Gusts; Clatsop County Emergency Management Urges Public to Prepare | Clatsop County
Below Freezing Temps, Snow, Ice and Wind Gusts; Clatsop County Emergency Management Urges Public to Prepare | Clatsop County
Clatsop County Department of Emergency Management is urging residents and businesses to brace themselves and prepare for extremely cold and icy weather and to limit travel to the essentials and emergencies on Thursday, Dec. 22 and Friday, Dec. 23.
“If you must travel in your car, make sure to have a winter emergency kit. Items you should include are candles and matches, a flashlight, pocket knife, snacks, phone charger, a blanket and extra clothing,” said Justin Gibbs, Clatsop County emergency management director.
Gibbs said that due to freezing rain, hazardous road conditions will likely persist even with the application of sand or other treatments. “We want people to understand that there are limited resources to cover a large geographic area that will be impacted by this weather event and we don’t want them to put themselves in harm's way.”
Thursday morning lows likely will be the coldest since 2014, according to the Portland National Weather Service which is urging residents to prepare now to protect people, pets and livestock and plants. Thursday morning temperatures may drop to low 20s throughout Clatsop County.
Keep in mind that frostbite can occur on exposed skin in less than 10 minutes. Symptoms include a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, ear tips and the tip of your nose. Signs of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness.
“Not only is it going to be cold and windy but roads will be very icy. We know this is the holiday season, however, it absolutely will not be safe to travel Thursday and Friday,” Gibbs said. “The amount of ice that is forecast is enough to cause power outages.”
Pacific Power called on residents to stay prepared for any weather-related outages.
“If you haven’t put together your emergency kit or updated it, today is the day to do so,” Gibbs said.
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