Winter weather brings its fair share of challenges for everyone, but for more vulnerable residents, it can be downright dangerous. If you want to be neighborly during cold snaps, snowstorms, and other dreary weather, here are six ways you can help your community.
1. CHECK ON YOUR NEIGHBORS.
When temperatures drop, check in on neighbors who may need extra help, including older adults and people with limited mobility. Ask whether they have adequate heat, food, medication and a safe way to get essentials. Cold weather can increase the risk of hypothermia; a check-in before and after a storm can help identify a problem early. Read cold-weather safety guidance.
2. OFFER TO SHOVEL OUT SOMEONE’S CAR.
Shoveling snow is strenuous and can put extra stress on the heart, especially in cold weather. The American Heart Association advises caution, particularly for people with cardiovascular disease or those not accustomed to vigorous activity. If you can shovel safely, offer help to a neighbor; otherwise help arrange assistance. Anyone unsure whether shoveling is safe for them should ask their healthcare professional.
3. DONATE YOUR WARM CLOTHING.
Your gently used coats, hats, scarves, and gloves shouldn’t sit in storage all winter. If you have extras that you’ve outgrown or don’t wear anymore, donate them to families in need. Non-profits, homeless shelters, thrift stores, and even some dry cleaners run coat drives during the winter to keep vulnerable residents safe from frostbite.
4. HEAD TO THE FOOD PANTRY.
Winter is a great time to volunteer at a soup kitchen or donate to a food pantry. Food insecurity hits particularly hard during the winter months, and food pantries often see a spike in families relying on them to get them through the season, especially for people who rely on more seasonal work that tends to dry up in the winter, like landscaping. Kids who normally get lunches at school are home, and homeless shelter populations swell. And pantries need help beyond those old cans in your kitchen cupboard. They have to deal with heating bills and volunteers that are all suddenly out of town due to holiday travel, too. Even if you don’t have cans to give, you can help out by donating a few dollars or by showing up to work a shift.
5. ALERT THE AUTHORITIES IF YOU SEE SOMEONE WHO NEEDS SHELTER.
Not everyone has a warm place to stay during severe winter weather. For help finding shelter and other local resources, contact Washington 211 and check current local shelter notices, since availability can change. If someone appears to have a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
6. DELIVER FOOD TO THE HOMEBOUND.
Storms hit extra hard on those who can’t leave their homes. Bad weather can delay meal delivery programs for the elderly and disabled, making it even more important to check in on neighbors and offer them a warm meal. But even when meal deliveries are up and running, they may lack drivers to get the food from their center to people’s homes. Volunteering doesn’t just provide meals for the hungry. For people who can’t leave their houses, it may be the only opportunity they have for social interaction that day.
Snowplow Priority Map
With the holidays and winter weather just around the corner, Skagit County has created an interactive Snowplow Priority Map that is now available online.
The prioritization process was developed to keep essential traffic paths open for travelers and haulers of essential goods and services during a snow event.
Of course, each snow event is unique with different boundaries and snow levels which will inform each snow plowing response, however, having a prioritized list allows crews to be the most effective and efficient in this vital endeavor.
Road Closures Around Mount Vernon
Skagit County has also linked to other local municipalities' and agencies' priority maps, such as: Anacortes, Mount Vernon, and Sedro-Woolley which can be found on our Road Closure Information page: https://www.skagitcounty.net/Reporting/RoadClose/
To view the map, visit: https://www.skagitcounty.net/Maps/iMap/?mapid=2f1ac2af3ee447acad879a7b4dec0b7e
Snow in and Around Cedar Ridge Estates
State Route 534 is maintained by WSDOT; the county's Priority 1 and Priority 2 map does not assign its state-highway plowing priority. Skagit County's map disclaimer explicitly separates state routes from county roads. Check WSDOT's snow and ice plan for state-highway guidance. The original version of this post reported that Cedar Ridge Estates has private roads, with no volunteer plowing or contracted plow service arranged at that time. Ask the HOA for the current neighborhood arrangements before a storm.
Winter Weather Preparedness
Winter storms create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heart attacks from overexertion. Winter storms including blizzards can bring extreme cold, freezing rain, snow, ice and high winds.
A winter storm can:
Last a few hours or several days.
Cut off heat, power and communication services.
Put older adults, children, sick individuals and pets at greater risk.How to Protect Yourself from Winter Weather
IF YOU ARE UNDER A WINTER STORM WARNING, FIND SHELTER RIGHT AWAY
Know your winter weather terms:
Winter Storm Warning
Issued when hazardous winter weather in the form of heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is imminent or occurring. Winter Storm Warnings are usually issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected to begin.
Winter Storm Watch
Alerts the public to the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet. Winter Storm Watches are usually issued 12 to 48 hours before the beginning of a Winter Storm.
Winter Weather Advisory
Issued for accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and sleet which will cause significant inconveniences and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations.
Know Your Risk for Winter Storms
Pay attention to weather reports and warnings of freezing weather and winter storms. Listen for emergency information and alerts. Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
Preparing for Winter Weather
Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping. Learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups. Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Remember the needs of your pets. Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights. If you are unable to afford your heating costs, weatherization or energy-related home repairs, contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for help.
In Case of Emergency
Be prepared for winter weather at home, at work and in your car. Create an emergency supply kit for your car. Include jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water and non-perishable snacks. Keep a full tank of gas.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Sign up for email updates about coronavirus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Learn the symptoms of COVID-19 and follow CDC guidance. If you are able to, set aside items like soap, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol, disinfecting wipes, and general household cleaning supplies that you can use to disinfect surfaces you touch regularly
Generator Safety
Generators can be helpful when the power goes out. It is important to know how use them safely to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and other hazards.
- Generators and fuel should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and attached garages.
- Install working carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can kill you, your family and pets.
- Keep the generator dry and protected from rain or flooding. Touching a wet generator or devices connected to one can cause electrical shock.
- Always connect the generator to appliances with heavy-duty extension cords.
- Let the generator cool before refueling. Fuel spilled on hot engine parts can ignite.
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully.