Although Collin County does not have to deal with winter precipitation very often, we still get the occasional winter storm which lasts just long enough to cause temperatures to plummet and road conditions to become treacherous.

Wind Chill - What Is It?

The wind chill index is the temperature your body feels when the air temperature is combined with wind speed. The greater the wind speed, the faster we lose body heat. Thus, the wind chill can make a fairly moderate winter day equivalent to a much colder one — sometimes dangerously so.

To see how much the wind speed can affect the wind chill factor at different air temperatures, view the National Weather Service Wind Chill Temperature Index Chart.

During A Winter Storm

• Listen to the TV or radio
• Keep your Disaster Kit on hand
• Stay indoors
• If you do have to go outside wear several layers of clothing including a hat and gloves and take measures to stay dry.
• Watch for frostbite - loss of feeling, white or pale fingers, toes, nose and or ears
• Watch for signs of hypothermia - uncontrollable shivering, slurred speech, drowsiness, memory lapses and stumbling

Driving in a Winter Storm

Of course the best thing to do is not to drive in bad weather conditions but, if you must, please take extra care.

• Tell someone where you are going and the route you will take to get there
• Keep your gas tank full
• Have a bag of sand or non-clumping cat litter in your car. This may help give you traction if you get stuck
• Tire chains can help but they are not always permitted. Check with local authorities before using them
• Drive slowly. You certainly won't get there any faster if you wreck
• Never slam on your breaks especially if you don't have anti-lock brakes. Pump them to slow yourself down
• If you get stuck, stay with your car and, unless you can clearly see a building or destination, do not attempt to walk to safety
• Tie a bright colored cloth to the antenna to help alert rescuers
• Use the heater in your car sparingly. Start it once an hour for 10 minutes
• Make sure your exhaust pipe is clear so that carbon monoxide fumes do no back up into your car
• Leave interior car lights on when running your car. This may help rescuers see you
• Move around in your car to help keep the blood circulating in your body and aid in keeping you warm
• Leave a window cracked to allow fresh air in. Make sure that the window you crack is not facing the wind outside

Afterwards

• Help those in need
• When shoveling snow, be careful, dress warm and don't over exert yourself. Shoveling snow can be very tiring
• Drive carefully. Snow will melt and then refreeze at night creating very icy conditions
• If you have lost power use a flashlight instead of candles to prevent accidental fires