(E.g. yourname@email.com)

Photo by Leticia Cunningham | The snowstorm on January 10, 2020 affected the visibility of Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. Base... read more read more

Photo by Leticia Cunningham | The snowstorm on January 10, 2020 affected the visibility of Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. Due to the storm, the base implemented an advance notice of severe weather. (U.S. Air Force photo by L. Cunningham) View image page

Winter weather in Nebraska is often unpredictable. Storms vary with precipitation and wind temperature, and may produce sleet and ice, moderate to light snow or blizzards. Although the mission is always at the forefront of Offutt's operations, the safety of the Offutt team and their families is the top priority. Preparation is the key. Get local news and weather advice through TV or radio. Understand the difference between forecasts: Winter storm observation: Winter storms that may occur in your area. Winter storm warning: A winter storm is currently or is about to occur in your area. Snowstorm warning: Expect wind speeds or gusts of 35 mph or higher, and falling/blowing snow to reduce visibility by less than a quarter of a mile. Windchill Index: The effect of wind on temperature. In just 30 seconds, the face and hands may get frostbite. For more information, please click on the following link: https://www.wether.gov/oun/safety-winter-windchill Preparing your house and vehicle for winter and the accompanying snow and ice will help keep the Team Offutt and their family are safe. Test the carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your home to ensure that the battery is fully charged. These detectors can save your life and protect your home. Maintain proper ventilation of the heater and operate the heat source safely. In the event of a power outage, it is best to keep non-perishable ready-to-eat food and drinking water at hand, in case the power outage cannot be recovered quickly. Remember to wear more layers of comfortable clothes and take off your clothes as needed to avoid overheating. Make sure you have a battery-powered radio, adequate water, flashlights, and adequate blankets. Let us not forget to take care of outdoor pets. When the temperature drops, they also need to be brought into the home. Remember to prepare enough water and food for your pet. Prepare for the winter weather and ensure that the vehicle is in good mechanical condition. Ask the mechanic to check the car battery, exhaust system, heater, antifreeze fluid level, wiper blade and washer fluid, ignition system, brake, defroster, oil level, thermostat, lights, especially hazard lights and tires. Put a windshield scraper and a small broom in the car, and keep at least half a can of gasoline to prevent winter storms. Remember to always wear a seat belt and make sure that the child is seated in the car seat. It is also a good idea to make a winter emergency kit for your vehicle. Items include extra warm clothing, blankets, mittens or gloves, extra socks, candles and matches, water, an empty metal coffee can (which can be used to melt snow if needed), non-perishable food, flashlights and extra A battery, a small snow shovel, salt, sand or cat litter, can help melt the snow or add some traction to move when trapped in the snow. Driving in a snowstorm or winter during or after a snowstorm can become dangerous. Even four-wheel drive vehicles can hit ice blocks hidden under snow, especially in bridges and sheltered areas. Driving at a low speed allows the distance to react to local traffic and gradually slow down when approaching stops, exits and curves. If your vehicle slips off the road during a snowstorm and you find that you can’t drive out, it’s best to stay in the car. It is recommended that you do not leave the vehicle unless you can see help within 100 yards. If you have a cell phone, call someone and provide them with as much information as possible about your location. Sometimes, due to the intensity of winter storms, the time to get the help you need is delayed. Display failure signs, such as lifting the hood of a car or putting a brightly colored piece of clothing on the antenna of the car. You can run the engine to keep it warm for about 10 minutes per hour. Use the small shovel in the winter emergency kit to make sure there is no snow in the exhaust pipe. Remember to keep the interior lights on when the engine is turned on, and make sure to tap the windows lightly when the vehicle is driving to prevent carbon monoxide from accumulating in the vehicle. If there is more than one person in the car, take turns to sleep and huddle together to keep warm. Light exercises such as clapping hands, moving legs and arms to maintain blood circulation. Be prepared to learn where to find information about Offutt weather conditions and responses, and make sure that your AtHoc notification information is up to date. Familiar with basic reporting procedures. For passenger information in Nebraska 24 hours a year, motorists can dial 511 via mobile or landline. It provides current weather conditions, road conditions and travel advice. The 511 system and various other weather links are available at www.transportation.nebraska.gov or www.511nebraska.org. If you are outside of Nebraska, you can call 800-906-9069. If the weather becomes extreme, base personnel may experience early release, delayed reporting, or reporting by designated personnel. The 55th Wing Public Affairs Office will send messages to local media to get out of the community. There is also the Snow and Information hotline at 232-COLD, and Offutt's Facebook and Twitter pages to obtain storm updates and report status. For more information about Offutt's snow and information program, please visit https://www.offutt.af.mil/Home/InclementWeather.aspx

For this work, winter is here, Leticia Cunningham determined by DVIDS is ready to comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.