The major winter storm that is forecast to bring punishing conditions to more than 140 million people, from Texas and the South to Ohio, Washington and Massachusetts, has prompted urgent calls from officials to prepare.
The ice storm in Texas and the South could be "crippling," the National Weather Service warned.
The governors of North and South Carolina were among the leaders at least 17 states and Washington, D.C., that have declared states of emergency to free up resources for aid.
The ice was a particular threat in parts of the South because of dangerous roads and possibly extended power outages. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein warned Friday that the storm could cause major disruptions, possibly for days.
"Get everything you need in advance of the storm and have a plan in case your power goes out," Stein said in a statement when he declared a state of emergency.
The American Red Cross said Friday it had disaster teams preparing supplies and the opening of warming centers in several states, and was also preparing for the possibility of outages.
The weekend forecasts were bone-chilling. Green Bay, Wisconsin, was under an extreme cold weather warning through Saturday morning, with wind chills of minus 35 possible, the weather service said.
Philadelphia was warned of wind chills as low as minus 6. In the Lake Charles, Louisiana, area, a region not known for freezing temps, there was a warning of wind chill of 4 degrees.
More than 50 record lows are possible from Sunday to Tuesday, with Texas and Southern states most at risk of record cold.
Texas electricity grid operator Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT as it is known, has said that it is prepared for the storm and expects "sufficient generation to meet demand this winter.”
In 2021, over 200 people died amid a winter storm that brought crippling cold temperatures and ice. Millions were left without electricity for days after power plants and facilities froze, natural gas supply dipped and the demand for electricity overwhelmed the system.
How to prepare
The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Friday issued a statement in which it highlighted four steps: Know the risks for the area; gather supplies; protect homes from freezing pipes; and plan for work and school to be disrupted.
How to prepare for the storm and get ahead of potential power outages:
- Prepare an emergency go bag with things like batteries, food and water, radios and flashlights, and extra winter clothing.
- Check batteries, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Refuel cars and heat sources. Charge cellphones.
- Stay up to date with changing forecasts through social media and other emergency alert channels.
- Check in on friends, family and neighbors by phone during the storm.
- Don’t travel during the storm. Only call 911 in an emergency.
- Do not run a generator inside your home or garage, or within 20 feet. The exhaust should be pointed away from windows and doors.
That includes charging phones and other devices while there is time, in case the power goes out, and ensuring that prescriptions have been picked up.
Major pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens on Friday issued guidance to people who may be in need.
CVS said that if a store closes for more than a day, the pharmacy’s calls will be rerouted to a nearby open store. And Walgreens said Thursday that if a store is closed, customers can get a “majority of prescriptions” from their closest open store.
The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, of which the National Weather Service is a part, also issues guidelines on how to prepare for winter weather events.
Among its recommendations are the people in the home keep a flashlight and extra batteries; a battery-powered NOAA weather radio; and extra water and food that does not need refrigeration or cooking — like nuts, granola bars, and dried fruit. And it warns to not neglect baby needs and pet supplies.
Officials also asked people to check on neighbors, especially those who may be vulnerable or alone.
"We need Chicagoans to check on their neighbors, especially their elderly neighbors," Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a video to his city on Thursday. Northern Illinois had wind chills in the minus 30s on Friday morning, the weather service there said.
Johnson also urged people to leave their taps dripping to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
The American Red Cross recommends having cold water drip through a tap for faucets that are served by an exposed pipes. Kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors should also be opened so that the heat can get to pipes, it says.
In Houston, city Public Works Director Randy Macchi during a Wednesday city council meeting asked residents not to leave their faucets dripping, as it can strain the city’s water system, the Houston Chronicle reported. He recommended those who are concerned to shut off their water and let pipes drain.
The New York City Department of Emergency Management recommends making a household disaster plan and winterizing go bags with blankets, warm socks and gloves. Emergency supply kits should be fully stocked and ready to sustain an individual for up to a week without power, including extra clothing, warm blankets and a battery-operated radio to monitor updates.
The NYCEM recommends allowing faucets to drip a little during cold weather.
Once the weather arrives
To stay safe in sub-zero windchills, Dr. Salil Bhandari, an emergency medicine physician at UTHealth Houston, suggests dressing in layers, staying dry, and covering head, hands and feet.
“One of the biggest risks of these freezing temps is developing hypothermia, and that can truly be deadly if you’re not prepared,” Bhandari said. “In these temperatures, hypothermia can set in in as little as 30 minutes, and if you’re wet, even sooner — 5 to 10 minutes.”
To stay safe while warming up, Bhandari reminded people to never bring a charcoal grill into their home and to not use a generator inside their home or garage, noting it should be at least 20 feet away. He added that residents should not run a car in the garage, even if the garage door is open, or heat their home using a gas stove or oven.
How long will the conditions last?
Dangerous conditions from ice could last into Monday morning's commute in North Carolina, the weather service said.
New York City is expected to get the winter storm starting Sunday morning, according to the weather service for that region. There could be 10 to 14 of snow in the metro region, the NWS said.
