While many southwest Michigan families may have been dreaming of a white Christmas last Friday, the holidays were instead welcomed by the familiar overcast skies and mild weather that have characterized this year’s winter season thus far.

This week, though, the sleet, snow and ice look to make their big comeback.

On Monday, the area was pelted with a nasty bout of frozen rain that caked roads and vehicles with a thick coat of ice, complemented by high winds and freezing temperatures. The conditions were so bad that the state of Michigan closed down many of its facilities across the Lower Peninsula by the afternoon.

While forecasters predict that conditions will improve from this dire state over the next few days, snow may still be on the horizon. The U.S. Weather Service predicts that snow could fall from now until Thursday.

In light of Monday’s storm and the pending winter weather to follow, the Michigan State Police offered the following tips to state drivers traveling in severe winter conditions:

• Travelers are encouraged to go to www.michigan.gov/roadconditions and www.michigan.gov/drive to check road conditions before traveling. Weather and road conditions are also available by calling the MSP Travel Advisory Hotline at 1-800-381-8477.

• The MSP/EMHSD asks that you view these websites or call the Travel Advisory Hotline rather than calling your local MSP post or 911. If the weather forecast and road conditions look dangerous, reschedule or postpone the driving trip.

• If you must travel, keep an emergency preparedness kit in your vehicle (e.g., a hand-crank flashlight and radio, cell phone charger, windshield scraper, emergency contact list, blanket, “Help” signs, jumper cables, tow strap, fire extinguisher, cat litter or sand for better tire traction, shovels, flares, first aid kit, bottled water and non-perishable, high-energy foods).

• If you are stranded in a winter storm, do not leave your vehicle. Stay with the vehicle and wait for help.

The agency also offered advice for residents who suffer  power outages in severe winter conditions:

• During and after a storm, stay at least 25 feet from any downed lines and assume that every line is “live” and
dangerous.

• If clearing trees or limbs, make CERTAIN they are not in contact with a power line.  Trees and branches can conduct electricity and electrocute you on contact.

• Do not call 911 to ask about the power outage. Report outages to your utility company.

• Never run a generator indoors.  Ensure it is outside and far away from windows or any other area where exhaust can vent back into a living area.  Carbon monoxide can cause injury or death.

• Gas stations and ATMs may not be available if the power is out. Use these services prior to the storm.

• Have an emergency preparedness kit ready with supplies to last three days per person (e.g., food, water, first aid kit, flashlight and radio with extra batteries, extra clothing and blankets).

We encourage readers to prepare for the weather ahead, and to try to stay warm and dry these next few days.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.