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The National Weather Service is monitoring a possible windstorm on Christmas Eve (Wednesday, Dec. 24). If it reaches our area, winds could be 30–45 mph for several hours. Here are some steps you can take to prepare.
Follow these tips to help you prepare and stay safe during a windstorm:
- Bring in items from outside that could blow away.
- If you're outdoors or in a mobile, manufactured home, or RV, seek shelter in a sturdy nearby building during the windstorm.
- Move away from windows or objects that could fall.
- If you are driving during a windstorm:
- Keep both hands on the wheel and slow down
- Watch for objects that could move across the roadway and into your path
- Keep a safe distance from cars in adjacent lanes.
- Stay at least 50 feet from a fallen power line.
- Assume every fallen power line has electricity running through it and is dangerous.
- Never use an outdoor grill, camping stove, generator, or gas lantern inside a home, tent, car, garage, or camper. This could produce carbon monoxide, which can be deadly.
- Run generators outside and 25 feet away from windows, doors and vents.
- If you lose power, keep refrigerator doors closed.
- Food can stay safe for 4 hours in a refrigerator, 24 hours in a half-full freezer, and 48 hours in a full freezer.
- Never taste food to find out if it is safe to eat. If in doubt, throw it out.
For more tips on how to prepare, visit the County’s Power Outage Preparedness webpage, our Windstorm Safety webpage, or check out the Red Cross High Wind Event Checklist available in English and Spanish.