EMA: Please Keep Roads Clear For Emergency Vehicles During The Storm

EMA: Please Keep Roads Clear For Emergency Vehicles During The Storm

ROBERTSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – The Robertson County Emergency Management Agency has issued a warning regarding the incoming weather that continues to evolve.

“We strongly encourage everyone to remain weather aware as this system continues to evolve,” said Robertson County EMA Deputy Director Blake Pierce. “Any snow we receive we fully expect to stick to roadways, primarily on back roads and untreated roadways.

Pierce says the fridged temperatures coupled with snow will make travel dangerous. “We encourage citizens to stay off the roads as much as possible. In years past we’ve had numerous wrecks on the roadways blocking and inhibiting emergency crews from responding to potentially life-saving calls.”

Not only is the snow a large concern but the freezing temperatures and negative windchill will pose a huge safety concern. Please limit outside activity as hypothermia can occur very rapidly, Pierce added.

Robertson County has a warming shelter open at My Father’s House in Springfield. MORE INFO.

As the cold weather approaches you still have time to secure exposed water pipes and other cold sensitive equipment but please do so with fire safety in mind. Cold weather events are often followed by fires triggered by unattended or improperly set up heating apparatuses. Take the test below. How many things wrong can you see on the photo below? Answer: 7 items.

Be Prepared:

Create an emergency car kit. It is best to avoid traveling, but if travel is necessary, keep the following in your car:

• Cell phone, portable charger, and extra batteries
• Items to stay warm such as extra hats, coats, mittens, and blankets
• Windshield scraper
• Shovel
• Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Water and snack food
• First aid kit with any necessary medications and a pocket knife
• Tow chains or rope
• Tire chains
• Canned compressed air with sealant for emergency tire repair
• Cat litter or sand to help tires get traction, or road salt to melt ice
• Booster cables with fully charged battery or jumper cables
• Hazard or other reflectors
• Bright colored flag or help signs, emergency distress flag, and/or emergency flares
• Road maps
• Waterproof matches and a can to melt snow for water

Bring your pets indoors

If you have pets, bring them indoors. If you cannot bring them inside, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure they have access to unfrozen water.

Prevent Frozen Pipes:

• Insulate Pipes. The best way to keep your pipes from freezing is to purchase specifically designed pipe insulation.
• Keep Garage Doors Closed.
• Open Cabinets.
• Let Faucets Drip.
• Keep the Thermostat Consistent.
• Seal Cracks and Openings.
• Leave the Heat On.
• Open Interior Doors.