When traveling in the winter months it is important to stay abreast
of weather forecasts for the area and adjust travel plans accordingly.
It's also important to know the correct meaning of the terms used.
The National Weather Service uses the following specific winter-weather
terms to ensure that people know what to expect in the coming days
and hours:
Winter Storm Watch
A winter storm watch means severe winter conditions, such as heavy
snow and/or ice, may affect the area, but its occurrence, location
and timing, are still uncertain. A winter storm watch is issued
to provide 12 to 36 hour’s notice of the possibility of severe
winter weather. A winter storm watch is intended to provide enough
lead time so those who need to set plans in motion can do so.
Winter Storm Warning
A watch is upgraded to a winter storm warning when four or more
inches of snow or sleet is expected in the next 12 hours, or six
or more inches in 24 hours, or one-fourth inch or more of ice accretion
is expected.
Winter Weather Advisories
Winter weather advisories inform travelers and residents that winter
weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences
that may be hazardous. If caution is exercised, advisory situations
should not become life-threatening.
Blizzard Warning
A blizzard warning means that snow and strong winds will combine
to produce a blinding snow (near zero visibility), deep drifts,
and life-threatening wind chill. Be sure to listen carefully to
the radio, television and Weather Radio for the latest winter storm
watches, warnings and advisories.
Whether traveling alone or with others, an emergency can be even more
frightening when away from home and all that is familiar.
However, help is available in North Platte to ease some of that fear and
anguish.
First Call for Help
The first call for help should be to First Call for Help, a nonprofit
organization that is a service of United Way.
"First Call for Help is an information and referral program that
links people in need with a service that may be able to assist them,"
said Stacey Merz, the program's director in North Platte.
"This service is available
for anyone to use, especially those in a crisis situation."
A bright pink cardboard flyer with a list of the agency's services notes
there are more than 1,500 phone numbers of federal, state and local agencies
in the First Call for Help database.
Calls don't come just from travelers, but North Platte and area residents
as well. Emergency needs might include family and
Stacey Merz, is the program's director for First
Call for Help in North Platte, NE.
social services, drug and alcohol
problems, emergency food and shelter and clothing, abusive and violent relationships,
housing assistance, care for the elderly or disabled, legal assistance and
foster care.
The First Call for Help office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through
Friday. Those calling outside those hours are asked to leave their name
and a telephone number where they can be reached for a return call.
Call 308-532-4111
Toll-Free 1-877-909-5888.
What if There's a Language Barrier?
As frightening as any emergency is, the fear can be intensified when the
individual does not speak English and no one speaks the patient's language.
Barb Petersen, patient education
coordinator at Great Plains Regional Medical Center, said the hospital has
compiled a language bank. When a patient is injured or ill and needs an
interpreter, the hospital staff can check the language bank and find a local
resident who speaks the patient's language.
Barb Petersen, patient education coordinator
at Great Plains Regional Medical Center
The language bank includes people who speak Spanish,
German, Cambodian, Chinese, Czechoslovakian, Danish, French, Japanese, Korean,
Polish, Portugese, Russian/Ukranian, Vietnamese, Greek, Sign Language and
Braille.
But what if it's 3 a.m. and an interpreter is needed? It may not be possible
to call someone locally at that hour. Or what if the language that's needed
isn't on the list? "There are 47 secondary languages and thousands
of dialects," Petersen said. "It's impossible to have an interpreter
available for all of these needs."
Petersen said in those cases the Language Line is called. When the hospital
calls for an interpreter, it is less than two minutes until someone is on
the line ready to interpret.
While it can get a little complicated handing the phone back and forth to
the patient and the doctor or nurses with questions and answers going through
an unseen interpreter, it can be a life-saver.
Getting a Prescription Filled
Not having medications available can range from inconvenient to life-threatening.
What can someone do if the bag with the medicine is still on the bathroom
counter at home? Or the medicine was overlooked and left in the previous
night's motel room?
How can a lost prescription be refilled when away from home?
Jill Siemers, a pharmacist at RX Express in North Platte, said the best
solution is for the pharmacist to call the patient's physician, who can
give prescription information to the pharmacist over the telephone.
If the prescription bottle is available, the patient can bring it to the
pharmacy. The pharmacist can then call the original pharmacy to transfer
the prescription.
However, Siemers said medications usually have a set number of refills
available. If dealing directly with the pharmacy, the number of refills
left would be changed.
"It's usually easier to just get the physician involved," Siemers
said.
Good Planning... Its a matter of life and death
Every winter lives are lost because travelers failed to plan ahead for
emergencies, including being stranded in a storm. Good planning can be
the difference between life and death.
The best plan of action is to listen to weather reports, check storm patterns
on weather channels on television or the Internet and make plans with
safety in mind.
Try to reschedule travel when a winter storm approaches. However, when
travel is absolutely necessary, there are steps travelers can take to
keep themselves as safe as possible.
The American Red Cross recommends travelers keep their car's gas tank
full. This helps keep the fuel line from freezing and also provides a
good supply of fuel if stranded.
Make sure the car is in good condition and winterized before heading out
onto the open road. Have a mechanic check the battery, antifreeze, wipers
and windshield washer fluid, ignition system, thermostat, lights, flashing
hazard lights, exhaust system, heater, brakes, defroster and oil.
Be sure the car has good winter tires with adequate tread. All-weather
radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions.
Carry a cell phone and be sure to keep the battery charged.
Shirley Roath of North Platte
prepares a winter survival kit for her car. As a special-events coordinator
for the Alzheimer's Association, she travels long distances in all kinds
of weather. She knows that being prepared for emergencies is the best way
to be safe.
One of the most important safety plans is for travelers to let several
people know their destination, time of departure, and the route they are
taking and expected arrival time. If stranded along the way, someone will
then know which way to send help.
Travelers should always carry a disaster supply kit in the car. The American
Red Cross recommends the following items be included:
A large waterproof
container with a lid to store clothing, including extra gloves, hats,
socks, rain gear and water-proof boots for everyone in the car. Carry extra
blankets and sleeping bags. These can be wrapped in large garbage bags
to keep them clean. Extra newspapers can be tucked in with them, to provide
insulation. A large coffee
can with lid to store waterproof matches, a candle, high-calorie and non-perishable
food and at least several days' supply of necessary medications. Safely
used, a candle lit in a coffee can provide heat and light for several
hours. Be sure to keep a window slightly open on the side away from the
wind for ventilation. A whistle to
blow when searchers are getting near. Plastic bags
for sanitation. A box with an
ice scraper, a first-aid kit, a road map, a flashlight with extra batteries,
a compass, paper towels, toilet tissue, moist towelettes and feminine
hygiene supplies. A box with
several bottles of water, cans of broth or soup, canned fruits, nuts and
high-energy bars. Buy canned products that have pull-tab lids. These items
must be kept where they cannot freeze, so store them in a crate that can
be easily carried from the house to the car and returned to the house
when back home. A small shovel,
pocketknife and small tools such as pliers, a wrench and screwdrivers. Jumper cables,
emergency flares, a towrope and a brightly colored cloth to tie to the
car antenna. A sack of sand
or non-clumping kitty litter for traction under the wheels, and a set
of tire chains or traction mats. Optional: Cards,
games, puzzles, paper, pen and pencils, inspirational booklets and other
reading material, and a battery-operated radio and extra batteries for
weather information.
If at all possible, the above items should be carried inside the vehicle
during stormy weather so no one has to get out of the car to retrieve
items from the trunk.
Knowing what to do if stranded in a storm is as important as preparing
for the emergency.
Most important is to stay with the vehicle and wait for help. Do not leave
the vehicle to search for assistance unless help is clearly visible within
a short distance. Blowing snow can easily create disorientation.
Tie a brightly colored cloth - preferably red - on the radio antenna.
If the snow has stopped falling, raise the car hood to signal help is
needed.
Run the car engine occasionally to keep warm, about five minutes every
half hour, with the heater on. This should be enough to keep the occupants
of the car warm and still conserve fuel. Be sure to keep the exhaust pipe
clear of snow and a window open slightly for ventilation.
Do minor exercises - clap hands and move arms and legs - to keep up circulation.
Use the newspapers from the emergency kit for added insulation; layering
items will trap more body heat.
Be sure to drink fluids frequently. Do not eat snow without first thawing
it. Eating snow lowers the body temperature and increases the risk of
hypothermia.
The American Red Cross has additional information and booklets on all
phases of disaster preparedness, including plans for people with disabilities
and plans for seniors, written by seniors. Visit the American
Red Cross Web site.
For more information on weather terms and how to travel safely, go to
the National
Weather Service Web site.
Remember that good planning can be the difference between life and death.
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Platte Traveler 
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