PEMA urges Pennsylvanians to start planning for snow

DO AHEAD OF THE STORM. HEY THERE. TOM. MICHAEL AND LORI, WHEN IT COMES TO PREPARING FOR SNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE USUALLY TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THAT SNOW BRUSH OR ICE SCRAPER IS. BUT HERE AT PIMA, THEY’RE TELLING PEOPLE TO GET PREPARED FOR A STORM THAT COULD IMPACT US FOR DAYS TO COME. THEY’RE WALKING IN. DO YOU HAVE ANY ICE MELT? PAT DAVIS SAYS ITS TRUE VALUE ON SECOND STREET IN HARRISBURG SAYS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BUYING UP SHOVELS, SALT AND EVEN SNOW BLOWERS AHEAD OF THE SNOWSTORM. EVERYBODY IS REALLY BEING CONCERNED. YES, IT’S BEEN A WEIRD WINTER. AND WHILE THE STATE SAYS IT’S IMPORTANT TO STOCK UP ON SNOW RELATED SUPPLIES. THANK YOU. THERE’S MORE TO THINK ABOUT THAN JUST SHOVELING. IT’S JUST NOT SUNDAY. BUT IT’S ALSO THE DAYS THAT FOLLOW AS WE DIG OUT PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY DIRECTOR RANDY PADFIELD SAYS YOU SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT A NUMBER OF THINGS AHEAD OF THE STORM. WE KNOW THAT IT’S GOING TO BE COLD FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, SO WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE PREPARED. PEMA SAYS YOU SHOULD STOCK UP NOW ON HOUSEHOLD GOODS YOU MAY NEED, LIKE BOTTLED WATER OR NONPERISHABLE FOOD, AS WELL AS OTHER SUPPLIES FOR BABIES AND PETS THAT MAY BE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD. PLAN AHEAD AND KEEP DEVICES CHARGED OR POSTPONE UNNECESSARY TRAVEL, AND THINK ABOUT HOW YOU’LL STAY WARM AND EAT IF THE POWER GOES OUT. SOMETIMES IT’S ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY AND HELPING OUT YOUR NEIGHBORS, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT YOU KNOW MAY NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO DIG THEMSELVES OUT OR MAY NOT HAVE THE SUPPLIES THEY NEED OR CAN’T GO OUT AND GET THE SUPPLIES. SO AFTER YOU TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, THINK ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORS, THINK ABOUT YOUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS IN THE AREA AND TOUCH BASE WITH THEM. PADFIELD SAYS YOU ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT THAT HEAT ISSUE, PARTICULARLY IF THE POWER GOES OUT. HE SAYS, DON’T TRY TO USE UNCONVENTIONAL HEAT SOURCES LIKE AN OVEN, OR POTENTIALLY TRYING TO USE SPACE HEATERS TO HEAT AN ENTIRE HOME. HE SAYS THAT A LOT OF THESE THINGS COULD PRESENT DANGERS, PARTICULARLY ON THAT HEATER OPTION. IF YOU OVERLOAD WHATEVER ELECTRICAL SOURCE YOU’RE USING, IT COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME A FIRE HAZARD. THERE’S ALSO THE RISKS THAT SOMETIMES COMES WITH GENERATORS OR CARS WITH CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. IF AN AREA IS NOT WELL VENTILATED. GO TO PEMA.GOV. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO DO TO PREPARE AS WELL AS WGAL.COM, WE HAVE PLENTY OF INFORMATION T

As Pennsylvania braces for significant snowfall this weekend, the Keystone State’s emergency management agency is urging people to get prepared for a snowstorm that could impact people long after skies clear.PEMA advice Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Randy Padfield on Thursday said people should be planning for the snowstorm now because they could potentially find themselves snowed in, depending on how much snow falls in their community and the conditions around where they live.”It’s not just Sunday; it’s the days that follow as we dig out. We know it’s going to be cold for an extended period of time, and we want people to be prepared,” he said.Padfield said people should avoid unnecessary travel and prepare to hunker down, gathering any supplies they may need ahead of the storm. He noted that power outages and other issues could arise.”If they don’t have to travel, please don’t travel. If you have to travel, make sure you have an emergency kit, you may get stuck or stranded out on the roadway or have your travel slowed significantly. If you’re staying at home, make sure you have enough food for a couple of days to span the high-impact times,” he said.What should you consider doing before and during the snowstorm? Here’s what PEMA is recommending:Gather Supplies:Bottled waterNonperishable foodSnow supplies (shovels, ice melt, etc.)Manual can openerBaby items (diapers, formula, etc.)MedicationsFlashlight & batteriesBlanketsPet food Plan Ahead:Keep devices charged.Plan to stay indoors during the worst of the storm.Postpone upcoming travel if you can.Things to think about: How you’ll stay warm if you lose power.What you’ll eat if you lose power.Checking in on older neighbors.

SUSQUEHANNA TOWNSHIP, Pa. —

As Pennsylvania braces for significant snowfall this weekend, the Keystone State’s emergency management agency is urging people to get prepared for a snowstorm that could impact people long after skies clear.

PEMA advice

Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Randy Padfield on Thursday said people should be planning for the snowstorm now because they could potentially find themselves snowed in, depending on how much snow falls in their community and the conditions around where they live.

“It’s not just Sunday; it’s the days that follow as we dig out. We know it’s going to be cold for an extended period of time, and we want people to be prepared,” he said.

Padfield said people should avoid unnecessary travel and prepare to hunker down, gathering any supplies they may need ahead of the storm. He noted that power outages and other issues could arise.

“If they don’t have to travel, please don’t travel. If you have to travel, make sure you have an emergency kit, you may get stuck or stranded out on the roadway or have your travel slowed significantly. If you’re staying at home, make sure you have enough food for a couple of days to span the high-impact times,” he said.

What should you consider doing before and during the snowstorm? Here’s what PEMA is recommending:

Gather Supplies:

Bottled waterNonperishable foodSnow supplies (shovels, ice melt, etc.)Manual can openerBaby items (diapers, formula, etc.)MedicationsFlashlight & batteriesBlanketsPet food

Plan Ahead:

Keep devices charged.Plan to stay indoors during the worst of the storm.Postpone upcoming travel if you can.

Things to think about:

How you’ll stay warm if you lose power.What you’ll eat if you lose power.Checking in on older neighbors.