12/18/2025
What to do during a severe winter storm
Listen to radio, television, or NOAA Weather Radio for weather reports and emergency information.
Wear several layers of loose fitting, lightweight warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves. Wear a hat. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs. Protect your lungs from extremely cold air by covering your mouth when outdoors. Try not to speak unless absolutely necessary. Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly. Watch for signs of frostbite. These include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately. Watch for signs of hypothermia. These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion.
Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack—a major cause of death in the winter. If you must shovel snow, stretch before going outside and take frequent breaks.
Drive only if absolutely necessary. If you must drive, consider the following: Check the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Web site for road conditions: www.modot.mo.gov or call the Missouri Road Condition Report line at 888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636). Travel in the day, don’t travel alone, and keep others informed of your schedule. Stay on main roads, avoid back road shortcuts. If you need assistance while on the road, or need to report and accident, broken down car, or vehicle off the road, call the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Emergency report line by dialing *55 on your cell phone. It connects you to the nearest MSHP troop headquarters. From a land line call (800) 525-5555.
If a blizzard traps you in the car: Pull off the highway, turn on hazard lights and hang a distress flag from the radio antenna or window. Remain in your vehicle where rescuers are most likely to find you. Do not set out on foot unless you can see a building close by where you know you can take shelter. Be careful: distances are distorted by blowing snow. A building may seem close, but be too far to walk to in deep snow. Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm. When the engine is running, open an upwind window slightly for ventilation and periodically clear snow from the exhaust pipe. This will protect you from possible carbon monoxide poisoning. In extreme cold, use road maps, seat covers, and floor mats for insulation. Huddle with others in the vehicle and use your coat for a blanket. Take turns sleeping. One person should be awake at all times to look for rescue crews. Drink fluids to avoid dehydration. Be careful not to waste battery power. Balance electrical energy needs - the use of lights, heat, and radio - with supply. Turn on the inside light at night so work crews or rescuers can see you. If stranded in a remote area, stomp large block letters in an open area, spelling out HELP or SOS and line with rocks or tree limbs to attract the attention of rescue personnel who may be surveying the area in the air. Leave the car and proceed on foot - if necessary - once the blizzard passes.
If you do not have heat in your residence temporarily close off some rooms and remain in one area of the residence. Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to avoid a build-up of toxic fumes. Refuel kerosene heaters outside and keep them at least three feet from flammable objects. Eat regularly and drink ample fluids, but avoid caffeine and alcohol. If the pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers of newspapers and wrap pipes in rags. Completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold (or where the cold was most likely to pe*****te).
The Missouri Department of Transportation's Annual Report is a collection of four comprehensive documents which include the Citizen's Guide to Transportation Funding, the MoDOT Results Document, the Financial Snapshot and the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. The documents are all linked below.
