The weather is predicted to dip below freezing with chances of snow toward the end of the week. The San Juan County Department of Emergency Management provides the following tips on winter storms:
While damaging wind and snow storms have always been a way of life in the islands, years can pass between the most severe of events. Unfortunately, this means some people may forget the lessons that come from being without power for a week or more, extended sub-freezing temperatures, or being snowed in at home for days. It does happen.
Being able to stay warm, fed, and content at home while the power (and internet!) is out for an extended period is the key to winter weather preparedness.
First Step: Ensure that you are prepared to be on your own for at least two weeks. Visit https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/21353/Preparation-Calendar-Flyer to learn more.
Windstorms:
Windstorms are a regular part of life in the San Juan Islands. Storm season usually lasts from October until March or so. There are two types of winter windstorms known to islanders:
-Some storms come with winds out of the south and southwest, occasionally growing powerful enough to cause significant impacts. These storms tend to bring warm temperatures and rain. Sometimes the rain is heavy enough to saturate the soils and increase the likelihood of falling trees.
-Less frequently, the islands will face a strong northeast wind event where powerful winds coming from the Fraser River Valley cause frigid temperatures and very strong winds. These “nor’easters” can be especially destructive. NE storms are rare enough that they can “catch trees by surprise”, and given that they come with icy temperatures, any power outages often result in frozen pipes, especially in uninhabited houses.
Those who look closely as they walk through island forests will often notice swaths of decaying downed trees, all oriented in the same direction – signs of a previous storm. Long-time residents are sure to remember major storms from years past and the power outages and abundant firewood that came with them.
Snowstorms
While most winter days don’t see temperatures below freezing, there’s almost always at least a bit of snow each year, and every once in a while there’s a more significant snowstorm. Very rarely, the islands have seen feet of snow.
While we might not see another winter like 1914 (snow on the ground from Thanksgiving until April, up to four feet at times), islanders need to be prepared for being snowed in for days. If you live out of town or on a steep hill, chances are at some point you’ll be stuck at home due to snow or ice.
As with windstorms, the key to happily riding out a snowstorm is being prepared to be comfortable at home with no power and no good way to safely get out the driveway. If you have children or are young at heart, a sled of some kind may improve your preparedness considerably.
So, start out by being able to be at home for two weeks. This is probably more than you’ll need for a winter storm, but it will get you well on your way to being ready for an earthquake. More winter weather info is below.
Winter weather wisdom:
Be prepared for windstorms, cold weather and power outages!
• Use Common Sense:
As is always the case, please keep an eye on neighbors, friends and family.
Check-in with weather forecasts periodically.
Stay far away from downed power lines.
• Be ready for a power/cell phone/internet outage:
Keep devices charged.
Think through the ways in which a loss of internet might impact you, your family, or your business. As people become increasingly connected, they become increasingly disrupted by outages. Think through ahead of time what can be done to minimize the critical impacts.
Take a look at the OPALCO Power Outage Prep and Safety page for lots of good info about how to weather an extended outage at https://www.opalco.com/outages-safety/outage-center/.
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. If doors remain closed, a fully loaded freezer can keep foods frozen for two days.
Leave on light switch on to alert you when the power is restored.
• If power is out and temperatures are icy, you’ll want to make sure pipes don’t freeze:
• If the power is out and you need to stay warm:
Make sure you have functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
Be sure to use a heater according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Make sure portable heaters are set on a firm, steady base.
Use fuel-burning space heaters only with adequate ventilation to avoid a build-up of toxic fumes.
Electric space heaters should be properly grounded. Make certain they are plugged into a circuit that can handle the load.
Never use a gas stove, electric range, or a charcoal grill as a heater.
Only use fuels for which your space heater has been designed.
Be extremely careful of fire hazards caused by candles or other flammable sources.
• If snow should fall or the sidewalks and roads turn icy, keep the following in mind:
Walk carefully on ice. Every time snow or ice falls, multiple islanders end up in the hospital due to falls. Be careful.
Don’t drive unless absolutely necessary.
Please don’t drive on roads that have yet to be plowed. This only makes it harder for the road crews.
Remember, road crews can’t clear private roads. Neighborhoods with private road access should have a plan in place to clear as needed.
If your car becomes stuck, try to get it as far off the road as possible. Cars left in the roadway may be moved or towed by emergency responders.
To keep pipes from freezing:
• Keep a supply of water set aside in pitchers, coolers, milk jugs and such. There have been multiple reports of freezing water lines, and you want a backup supply of water prepared should your lines freeze.
• If a home has a history of freezing water lines, it might be wise to keep the faucet furthest from the incoming water line dripping to keep the water moving in the pipes. This reduces the risk of freeze-up. A drip is all that is needed, just a drip. One faucet dripping hot water, another dripping cold water is best. Perhaps the only need to have the water dripping at night when it is coldest.
• If you have a history of freezing pipes in an old, or poorly insulated structure, it is also wise to keep the heat up in the house at night. Often our “programmable thermostats” are set to turn the heat down after we go to bed. The cooler house means that the outside cold migrates further into your walls and crawl spaces, increasing the risk of freezing pipes.
• The biggest winter storm strain on the water system is actually when the thaw comes. This is when the ruptured pipes begin to leak. These leaks greatly increase the load on the water sources, often bringing demand back to peak summer levels. Members can help reduce the water lost to leaks by watching out for unoccupied neighboring homes. These empty homes, often have the heat turned way down and are some of the most susceptible to ruptured pipes. In the case of any empty home the rupture pipe continues to leak water without anyone noticing.
• If you have an empty home it would be wise to contact your water system and have them turn your service off at the meter before the thaw comes. This reduces the impact on the overall water system, but also protects your property by eliminating the potential for a continuously running leak inside your home.
• Keep an eye out for unusual puddles of water, or build-up of ice that might be coming from unoccupied properties. If you spot a concern, please contact your water system to have it checked out.
• Garden hoses still connected to exterior hose bibs are also a common cause of freezing pipes. You hoses should be disconnected. “Frost Proof” hose bibs are not effective if the water in them can’t drain because the hose is attached.
Prepare for power outages:
To adequately prepare for outages a little bit of planning ahead can go a long way.
Make sure you install surge protection for your electronic, computer and other sensitive equipment. Know where to find your utility shut off (electricity, water, propane) and how to turn them off. If you have an electric garage door opener, make sure you know how to open it without electricity.
It’s a good idea to have an outage/emergency preparedness box. See the checklist below.
If you suspect an outage is coming, make sure you have your phone charged up and fill up the gas tank in your car.
AFTER an outage has occurred, it’s a good practice to turn off sensitive electronics and equipment to protect them when the power comes back on. It also helps OPALCO manage the capacity of our system – it can be difficult to bring everything people have on in their homes up all at once. This can include well pumps. If you can turn your pump off at the breaker, that helps. Once power is restored, turn things on slowly – one at a time.
Because the most detailed information, photos and updates on outages are posted on Facebook, Twitter and on OPALCO’s website, we encourage people who don’t have a smartphone to find an “outage buddy” who does, so they can share information and check up on each other.
Winter Storm Checklist
Make sure adequate supplies are available in case of outages:
Drinking Water
Canned/nonperishable food
Blankets, pillows and clothing
Basic toiletries
First Aid supplies
Prescriptions
Baby and Pet Supplies
Flashlights
Battery-operated clock and radio
Extra Batteries
Games
Phone
Cash or credit cards
Important documents
An outage buddy – someone who has internet and to check in with during storms
For more information on how to prepare for storms or other emergencies, visit the San Juan County Department of Emergency Management website at https://www.islandsready.org.
