The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is working closely with state governments as a severe winter storm approaches much of the country. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem updated governors and state emergency directors on federal preparations for the storm, which is expected to bring heavy snow, freezing rain, and dangerous wind chills.
Secretary Noem stated: “FEMA is actively working with states to monitor and prepare for the severe winter storm which is forecasted to produce heavy snow, dangerous freezing rain, and life-threatening wind chills across most of the U.S. this weekend. In preparation, the agency activated its National Response Coordination Center and Regional Response Coordination Centers in FEMA Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 to synchronize federal readiness and interagency coordination. FEMA also embedded staff in State Emergency Operations Centers to ensure real-time coordination.
“Additionally, the agency deployed Incident Management Teams to support the states of Louisiana, Texas, and the Commonwealth of Virginia and have 12 additional teams ready to deploy if requested by the states. Twenty-eight FEMA Urban Search and Rescue teams are on standby, prepared to deploy at the request of governors.
“FEMA’s strategically located distribution centers across the South and East are collectively stocked with over 7 million meals, more than 2 million liters of water, over 600,000 blankets, and more than 300 generators. FEMA is also establishing staging sites in Kentucky, Louisiana, and Texas with additional meals, water, and generators to enable rapid movement of resources at the request of affected states.
“The time to prepare is now. The agency urges people to pay attention to local officials and take any necessary actions to keep safe as severe winter weather moves across the nation. There are several unique risks that can be addressed by following the winter safety tips below:”
Officials recommend residents sign up for emergency alerts from local public safety agencies or through tools like the FEMA App for timely updates about weather conditions or emergencies nationwide.
People are encouraged to prepare for possible power outages by keeping freezers closed during outages and disconnecting appliances to avoid damage from electrical surges. Generators should only be used outdoors away from windows or doors due to carbon monoxide risks; gas stoves or ovens should not be used for heating.
Residents are advised to keep flammable materials away from heat sources such as fireplaces or portable heaters and always plug space heaters directly into outlets rather than extension cords.
For those who must travel during storms despite official guidance against it when roads are unsafe or closed, authorities urge checking local weather reports first. Drivers should notify others about their route before leaving home; increasing following distances on icy roads can help prevent accidents since stopping takes longer on frozen surfaces.
Individuals should have contact information handy for auto insurance providers as well as towing services in case they become stranded. With some roads potentially impassable for days after major storms hit certain areas hard—stocking up on food supplies that do not require refrigeration along with drinking water ensures families remain self-sufficient until conditions improve.
Residents are also encouraged to have warm clothing available for everyone in their household—including pets—and gather supplies such as rock salt or pet-safe alternatives for melting ice outside their homes along with shovels or scrapers needed after snowfall events occur.
More information about preparing for winter weather can be found at Ready.gov.
