According to the National Weather Service, Wood County may see 10 to 14 inches of snow accumulation
between tonight and Wednesday evening. Northern Wood County will be on the higher side and southern Wood
County could see a small amount of ice accumulation and be on the smaller side of the above accumulation
of snow.
To help stay safe during winter storms, the Red Cross offers the following ideas:
The best thing people can do is stay inside if possible and avoid unnecessary travel. If someone must go
outside, layered lightweight clothing will keep them warmer than a single heavy coat. Gloves and a hat
will prevent loss of body heat. Other safety tips include:
¥ Prevent frozen pipes by opening cabinet doors to let warm air circulate around water pipes. Let the
cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even at a
trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing.
¥ Keep the thermostat set to a consistent temperature.
¥ Don’t forget your pets – bring them indoors. If you can’t bring them inside, provide adequate shelter
to keep them warm and make sure they can get to unfrozen water.
¥ Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and
snow.
¥ Walk carefully on snowy, icy, sidewalks.
¥ If you shovel snow, be extremely careful. Take frequent breaks and stay hydrated. Avoid overexertion.

The American Red Cross also suggests avoiding traveling by car in a storm, but if you must:
¥ Carry a disaster supplies kit in the trunk.
¥ Keep your car’s gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
¥ Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck
along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.
This latest storm may cause power outages and the Red Cross recommends a few things to help ensure your
safety until the power is turned back on. Do not use candles for lighting. Use flashlights only. If you
are using a portable generator, do not connect it to your home’s electrical system. Instead, connect the
equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Leave one light turned on so you
will know when your power returns. Turn off or disconnect appliances or electronics you were using when
the power went out. Surges or spikes when the power comes back on can damage your equipment.
Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Use perishable foods in the
refrigerator first. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. Then use food
from the freezer, which will hold its temperature for about 48 hours if the door remains closed (24
hours if the freezer is only half full). If it looks like your power will be out for more than a day,
use a cooler with ice for food in your freezer.
For more information on winter storm safety, visit www.redcross.org.
According to Wood County Emergency Management Agency Director Brad Gilbert, the National Weather Service
expects the snow to increase in intensity later this afternoon and into this evening. Winds will also
increase from the northeast at 20-25mph. Snow intensity will increase during the night as well as the
winds will gust up to 30 mph from the northeast during the night.
White-out conditions are very possible during the night time hours due to the heavy snow rate and winds.
Criteria will be close to "blizzard" conditions, but the National Weather Service doesn’t
think the time span will be long enough to issue a "blizzard" warning.
Heavy snow will likely continue into the early hours of Wednesday morning after sunrise and continue
through mid-day. Snow should begin to taper off in the afternoon and into the evening hours of
Wednesday. Winds will begin to switch and come from the north at 15-20mph by early afternoon. By evening
the winds will be from the NW at 10-15mph. Cold air will usher in Wednesday night and Thursday, but then
temps will begin to moderate a bit after Thursday.