MADISON, Wis. — A winter storm expected to hit southern and northeastern Wisconsin Friday night and into this weekend could result in several inches of snow, icy conditions on roads, and high winds that could lead to power outages. ReadyWisconsin is encouraging everyone to make safety a priority and to plan ahead, before the storm arrives.
“Winter weather can be extremely dangerous and very unpredictable,” said Dr. Darrell Williams, Wisconsin Emergency Management administrator. “We want everyone to make sure they are doing everything they can to remain safe before, during and after the storm.”To help prepare yourself and your family, ReadyWisconsin offers the following advice:
- Check your home and vehicle emergency kits. Make sure they have a good supply of items such as non-perishable foods, extra water, blankets, and flashlights with fresh batteries. You can find more advice on how to build an emergency kit at https://readywisconsin.wi.gov/make-a-kit/
- Have a plan for what to do if you lose power. Identify family or friends you may be able to stay with, along with contact information for your utility to report an outage and to receive updates on restoration times.
- If you have travel plans, consider delaying them. If you must be on the road, check the state’s 511 Wisconsin service for updates on major routes. Available through the 511wi mobile app or located online at http://www.511wi.gov, this service offers current traffic and road conditions, updates on accidents and closures, and live traffic camera feeds.
- Identify trusted local sources of information, such as local law enforcement, municipal streets department, and county highway department websites or social media pages. Rely on them for information about local road closures or other safety concerns affecting your area.
- Have multiple ways to receive alerts about dangerous weather conditions, including local TV and radio stations, a NOAA Weather Radio, and reliable websites with current forecast information.
- High winds could result in dangerous conditions along shoreline areas and falling branches from trees. Be aware of the potential danger if spending time outdoors.
Find more tips on getting ready for winter at https://readywisconsin.wi.gov/be-informed/winter-storms/. You can also follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/ReadyWisconsin), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ReadyWisconsin) for updates about storm conditions
