Winter storms often bring extreme cold, freezing rain, sleet, heavy snowfall and ice that disrupt transportation, heating, power and utility services.
Priority in clearing primary roads lies with emergency and residential traffic. Private property, including mailboxes, driveway plow ridges, and basketball hoops may be cleared at owner risk.
Do Your Part
Winter weather can bring freezing rain, sleet, high winds and heavy snowfall that can disrupt travel, power supplies and public services – putting yourself, your family and the wider community at risk. Do your part and keep everyone safe by taking action now.
Clear driveways and parking lots of snow accumulation to allow snowplows to navigate safely and efficiently, and residents are asked to move their vehicles off streets with snow route signs in place so plows can effectively and efficiently clear the roads; those found parking on streets could face towing or tickets.
Drivers must wear seat belts, give plows room to maneuver and remain alert behind the wheel. Before plowing begins, drivers should familiarize themselves with both their truck and plow owner’s manuals and ensure all connections between plow and truck are secure.
Don’t Crowd the Plow
Snowplows move slowly and require extra space, so as soon as you see one slow down and give them plenty of room. Furthermore, staying behind them is crucial as most accidents involve drivers colliding with its rear end; additionally plows often employ an eight-foot extension on their right side that can spray salt or deicing chemicals directly at drivers behind it.
Since snowplows may block driveways for extended periods, it’s best to create an open area in front of your driveway and shovel snow into this location instead of depositing it next to the roadway. This will make clearing your driveway much simpler for plow blades.
Snow removal general liability insurance can also help cover costs related to third party damage and injuries caused by your snow plowing operations. Contact us to gain more insight into this invaluable coverage!
Stay Alert
Winter weather conditions can be unpredictable and could bring substantial disruptions, or be potentially hazardous if left unmanaged. Monitor local forecasts and follow your county’s warning system for updates on impending winter storms.
Winter Storm Warnings signal hazardous winter conditions are occurring or will soon start, such as heavy snowfall, sleet or freezing rain, strong winds and sub-freezing temperatures that will make travel challenging and hazardous.
Blizzard Warnings indicate when severe snow and blowing snow combines with sustained or frequent gusts of 35 miles per hour or greater, creating visibility of less than a quarter mile for at least three hours, coupled with sustained or frequent gusts exceeding 35 miles per hour, to create hazardous wind chill. Be wary when driving during such conditions as plows have the right of way, as do children, elderly adults and sick individuals; keep an eye out for hypothermia or frostbite risk in this type of environment. Tune into radio or TV for updates as instructions from authorities regarding this type of event.
Be Prepared
Winter storms and blizzards can be deadly, with transportation accidents on snow-covered roads being the primary source of deaths. Furthermore, they can disrupt power outages causing schools and businesses to close as well as bring down trees and power lines, leading to blackouts that shut them down entirely.
Prepare yourself for winter weather by making sure your home is prepared, and understanding what Winter Storm Warnings, Watches and Advisories mean. Doing this will allow you to plan for travel safely after storms have passed; avoid secondary hazards like ice and flooding after they pass; as well as guarding against injuries such as hypothermia and frostbite.
Maintain a food and water reserve at home. Have working flashlights, batteries and radios. Become aware of local shelters and warming stations. Create a family communications plan; in addition to knowing where you keep important documents like insurance cards, birth certificates and passports should an evacuation become necessary. Finally, avoid overexertion while shoveling heavy snow – this can cause heart attacks in older adults.