Winter Storm Advisory – Lacey Township OEM – Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Winter Storm Advisory – Lacey Township OEM – Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Winter Storm Advisory – The Lacey Township Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is actively monitoring the progression of a potentially significant winter storm and the continuing changes in the weather projections. Throughout the remainder of the week, OEM will be working with local and county emergency service and support organizations to ensure that appropriate staffing and resources are available should the storm impact this area. Currently, we are expecting the potential for some degree of tidal flooding in low-lying areas and 40+ mph winds late Friday, January 22, 2016, into Saturday, January 23, 2016. Snowfall potential will be further evaluated as the storm moves closer and the actual path is determined. As with any weather projection, changes in the forecasts are likely to occur as the storm progresses.

Residents should begin reviewing their personal and family emergency plans as those plans relate to snow storm, power outage, and/or flooding situations. Most notably, families should always consider where they would go in the event a temporary evacuation is necessary due to a prolonged power outage in cold weather or flooding occurs which renders a home temporarily uninhabitable.

Lacey OEM provides information regarding winter storms and extreme cold through the OEM website at the following specific link: http://www.laceyoem.org/preparedness-center/winter/. Likewise, information regarding flooding is available through the OEM website at the following specific link: http://www.laceyoem.org/preparedness-center/floods/.

Residents should also prepare for potentially prolonged power outages.

Things to consider with a power outage include but are not limited to:

• Having a sufficient supply of fresh batteries in your home for flashlights. Be very careful using candles as a lighting source and avoid using candles around children and pets.

• Having an emergency supply of bottled water. Filling your bathtub with fresh water as the storm begins can help with having a ready supply should water sources be disrupted.

• Having a supply of convenience foods that do not require cooking.

• Maintaining a battery-powered radio with extra batteries available. Tune to a local station for current storm information.

Lacey OEM will continue releasing weather updates and storm related information through Twitter, Facebook, and the OEM website at www.LaceyOEM.org

The emergency automated telephone notifications will be reserved for specific and very important broadcasts of information should that become necessary.

Chief David A. Paprota, Ed.D.
Lacey OEM Coordinator