Residents Encouraged to Monitor Severe Cold Weather

With Escambia County under an Extreme Cold Warning beginning Friday evening, Jan. 30, residents are urged to take winter weather precautions and practice home heating safety.

Extreme Cold:

• According to the National Weather Service of Mobile, an Extreme Cold Warning is in effect for Escambia County from late Friday night into Sunday morning, with even colder temperatures and wind chills possible Saturday night into Sunday morning.
• Temperatures will fall rapidly Saturday evening. Overnight lows are expected to drop into the teens to low 20s, with dangerous wind chills.

Strong Winds:

• Wind chill values are expected to reach dangerous levels Friday night, reaching between 2 to 13 degrees inland and 13 to 18 degrees along the coast.
• For Saturday night, wind chill values will drop into the single digits throughout Escambia County.
• A Gale Warning and Small Craft Advisory are in effect for open waters beginning Friday night into Sunday morning.

Note: Although some areas west and north of the Escambia County area may see minor black ice concerns, this is not currently expected for Escambia County.<_o3a_p>

Residents are urged to take winter weather precautions when preparing their homes for extremely cold temperatures. Click here for home heating safety tips.

Local cold weather shelters will open their doors for those seeking refuge from the freezing temperatures. Click here for more information.

For additional weather information, visit the NWS website.

Five P's of Cold Weather Safety

Remember the five P's of cold weather preparedness:

• Protect People: Remember to dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves. It is important to try to stay out of the wind and to stay dry. Also, remember to check on young children, elderly family members and neighbors who are the most sensitive to cold weather. If the temperature cannot be maintained at home, make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere, including with friends and family.
• Protect Pets: If cold weather is in the forecast, bring outdoor pets inside or give them a warm shelter.
• Protect Plants: Cover cold-sensitive plants to protect them from dangerous temperatures.
• Protect Pipes: Cover pipes and allow outdoor faucets to slowly drip to prevent them from freezing and breaking.
• Practice Fire Safety: Use safe heating sources indoors. Do not use fuel-burning devices such as grills; they release carbon monoxide, a deadly gas. Also, use space heaters according to their instructions and be attentive to open flames.
  

For cold weather safety tips, visit the Escambia County website.