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National Situation Update: Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

South
Showers, and maybe thundershowers, near the Gulf Coast will dampen the southern U.S. from Texas and Arkansas eastward January 22, 2008.  As the showers interact with colder air over the Southeast, freezing rain or drizzle could ice roads in Georgia and the Carolinas.

Overall, precipitation will be light, with maximum amounts of just over a quarter-of-an-inch in parts of Mississippi and Alabama.

Northeast
This region will see a mix of rain and snow January 22, 2008, as a front moves from the Midwest.

Most of the accumulating snow will be in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, and New England.  Virginia may have a mix of snow and ice, as subfreezing air moves into the region and is blocked in by the Appalachians.

Midwest
Snow showers and flurries will move over the northern Plains, upper Midwest, Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, as a cold front moves through the region.  Highs are forecast to range from the single digits in North Dakota and much of the upper Midwest, to the low 40s in Kentucky. (NWS)

Hypothermia and Frostbite

Hypothermia and Frostbite are conditions in which you can find yourself during cold weather conditions.  Hypothermia can be fatal, while Frostbite can scar you for life.  So, take necessary preparations to prevent them from happening.

Hypothermia:  Hypothermia is prevented by not only wearing warm clothing, but also by proper body maintenance.  Being well-fed, well-hydrated, and well-acclimatized are much more important than wearing and using high-tech clothing and equipment.  Eat food with simple sugars, and have enough fluids to drink.
Symptoms:  Symptoms of Hypothermia are exhaustion, numb skin (particularly toes and fingers), shivering, slurred speech, irrational/violent behavior, lethargy, stumbling, dizzy spells, muscle cramps, and violent bursts of energy.  Irrationality may take the form of victims claiming that they are warm and trying to take off their clothes.

Treatment:  To treat Hypothermia, get the victim out of the wind and/or rain, remove wet clothing, and replace it with dry, warm clothing.  Give them hot liquids (not alcohol) and some high-energy, easy-to-digest food.  Do not rub the victims, but allow the victims to slowly warm themselves.  These are the first steps to avoid severe Hypothermia.

Frostbite
Frostbite is the freezing of the skin and/or the bodily tissues under the skin.  Here, the fluids in the body tissues and cellular spaces freeze and crystallize.  This can cause damage to the blood vessels, and result in blood clotting and lack of oxygen to the affected area(s).  Serious cases of Frostbite can be lethal, and damage tissue to the extent that amputation is required.  Frostbite normally affects the hands, feet, ears, nose, and face.
There are several variables that can lead to Frostbite:

  • Length of time a person is exposed to the cold.
  • Temperature outside.
  • Wind chill factor.
  • Humidity in the air.
  • Wetness of clothing, shoes, and body coverings.
  • Ingestion of alcohol and other drugs.
  • High altitudes.

The elderly and young are particularly susceptible.  Additionally, people with circulation problems, history of previous cold injuries, those who ingest particular drugs (such as alcohol, nicotine, and beta-blockers), and those with recent injury or blood loss are at risk.  It also seems that people from southern or tropical climates may be more at risk.

Symptoms and Treatment:   Mild Frostbite, also called Frostnip, affects the outer skin layers and appears as a whitening of the skin.  Usually, these symptoms disappear as warming occurs, but the skin may appear red for several hours.

In severe cases, the frostbitten skin will appear waxy with a white, grayish-yellow or grayish-blue color.  The affected part(s) will be numb, and blisters may be present.  The tissue will feel frozen or "wooden," and indicates a very serious condition.  Other symptoms that indicate Frostbite are swelling, itching, burning, and deep pain as the area is warmed.

Prevention:  Proper clothing for winter insulates from the cold, lets sweat evaporate, and provides protection against wind, rain, and snow.  Down coats and vests are warm; however, if down gets wet, it is not an effectively warm fabric.  Coverings for the head and neck are important, because approximately 70% of heat loss occurs from the head.  Hats, hoods, scarves, earmuffs, and face masks are good protection.

Protect your feet and toes.  Wear two pairs of socks; wool is best, or combine cotton socks with a pair of wool socks on top.  Wear well-fitted boots that are high enough to cover the ankles.  Hand coverings are vital; mittens are warmer than gloves, but may limit what you can do with your fingers.  Wear lightweight gloves under mittens, so you'll still have protection if you need to take off your mittens to use your fingers.

Be sure your clothing and boots are not tight.  A decrease in blood flow makes it harder to keep the body parts warm, and increases the risk of Frostbite.

When in Frostbite-causing conditions, dress appropriately, stay near adequate shelter, avoid alcohol and tobacco, and avoid staying in the same position for long periods of time.

You have read how proper clothing works with proper diet and hydration to prevent Hypothermia and Frostbite from happening to you.  It always pays to be prepared in extreme weather conditions.  (American Red Cross, Media Sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:38:25 EDT