WILKES-BARRE — With significant snow accumulations expected today and Wednesday, UGI encourages residents to be “winter-wise” by preparing for the storm and using safe practices when clearing ice and snow.
Meanwhile, the state is advising motorists to stay off the roads if possible because conditions are expected to be treacherous.
Safety tips from UGI include:
• Clear any accumulation of snow or ice from the outside vents of your furnace or other natural gas appliances. This allows air flow necessary for safe operation. Blocked vents can lead to a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide inside your dwelling.
• If the snow is deep, clear the area around the gas meter, providing a path for UGI personnel who may require access. Please work carefully around your gas meter. Keep snow blowers or other powered equipment and snowplows away from the gas meter.
• For your personal safety, stay indoors as much as possible. When outdoors, wear warm clothing and cover exposed skin. Use multiple layers to maintain warmth. Senior citizens should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls.
• Remember that an electric power outage will affect furnace blowers and electronic ignitions. If your gas heater does not relight when the power returns, turn the unit off for a moment, then back on. If it still does not light, call a heating professional for service.
• Be aware that UGI adds an odorant, which smells like rotten eggs, to natural gas to help you detect a gas leak. If you smell natural gas, leave the building immediately, taking everyone with you. Do not use the phone, light a match, or switch anything on or off. Leave the door open, and once clear of the area, call UGI from your cell phone or neighbor’s home. UGI’s emergency response number is 1-800-276-2722.
In case of outage
The storm could also result in downed power lines and potential power outages due to heavy snow accumulation on tree branches and wires. If you see a downed wire, follow these steps:
• Assume that wires are energized and don’t touch them.
• Stay away from fallen wires and warn others to keep away. UGI Electric customers should immediately call the company at 1-800-276-2722.
• Customers who experience a service interruption should use the same number to report an outage.
• If you depend on medical equipment for life support, UGI recommends that you check your back-up power supply or arrange to stay with family or friends.
• If you use a generator during an outage, make sure it is used safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions on proper venting and operation. Never operate a generator indoors, in your garage or basement, or in an enclosed space.
Red Cross readies
The Red Cross Northeast PA chapter is on alert and carefully monitoring forecasts. Red Cross volunteers, relief supplies, emergency vehicles and shelters are ready to provide help when needed.
The Red Cross also has safety tips people should follow over the next few days;
• Be extremely careful when shoveling snow; take frequent breaks and stay hydrated.
• Check on children, elderly neighbors and people with disabilities.
• Bring pets inside and move livestock to sheltered areas.
• Watch for hypothermia and frostbite. Hypothermia symptoms include confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Frostbite symptoms include numbness; flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration; or waxy feeling skin.
• If possible, avoid driving. If someone has to drive, they should have a window scraper, kitty litter or sand in case their vehicle gets stuck; extra clothes; and a Disaster Supplies Kit in the trunk. Fill the vehicle’s gas tank and clean the lights and windows to help see.
• Storms like this can result in a high number of home fires. That’s why residents should use flashlights for light, not candles. And people should never use a stove or oven to heat their home. Space heaters should be placed on a level, hard surface and keep anything flammable at least 3 feet away.
Wolf Administration prepares
“State agencies are taking proactive steps to ensure Pennsylvania is ready for the incoming winter weather and Pennsylvanians should take their own precautions and prepare for adverse conditions, especially for travel,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “We are preparing for the most significant part of the storm to hit the Eastern half of the state from Monday night into Tuesday’s commute. I ask residents and commercial drivers across the commonwealth to prepare to avoid unnecessary travel on roadways during this time – as to let road crews and emergency responders do their jobs and minimize dangerous travel.”
Travel restrictions for personal and commercial drivers may be put in place if necessary.
Through Wednesday
This is a complex winter storm system that will first impact southern and western Pennsylvania by Monday evening.
The storm will overspread the state overnight, with heavy and blowing snow at times.
Snow will continue throughout the day on Tuesday before tapering off during the evening hours.
Snow showers will continue for parts of Pennsylvania through Wednesday.
“Our team is prepared and will work around the clock during the storm to keep roads as safe as possible,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards.
