By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett suggests residents look after each other during this bitterly cold stretch and take time to prepare before traveling during extreme winter weather.
Puett recommends taking some time to check in on neighbors and family members. He says he understands that our lives are busy and we get focused on our work or just day-to-day activities.
Still, take the effort to check on others, especially during this time of COVID-19 which has restricted our access to each other.
“Make sure you’re checking on people, especially vulnerable people,” Puett says.
Puett says elderly residents, especially those who live alone, can suffer during a harsh winter spell; both from the cold and from loneliness.
Be careful if traveling during these bitterly cold days and nights.
The National Weather Service has a slight chance of snow in the forecast throughout the weekend, but it is the predicted highs that standout. The NWS expects the high today to reach only 7 with wind chills of between -8 and -13. The low tonight will dip down to below zero at -1. The high Saturday is expected only to reach 6 with the low dropping down to -4. On Sunday, the high is expected to be around 2.
Puett says if you plan to travel in the next few days, take time to prepare before heading out. Puett suggests you stock your vehicles with supplies and not just extra blankets, coats, gloves, and hats.
“A flashlight, some way to stay warm, some non-perishable food items, protein bars or granola bars or whatever your preference is, but we all know how weather is around here, how quick it can change, and how a sheet of ice can come down pretty quickly,” Puett says.
Puett says it’s also a good idea to pack a few bottles of water before making a trip during winter. A cell phone charger also could prove helpful. He says such preparation can help you survive if your vehicle slides off the road and into a ditch.
Also, you can check for road conditions on the Missouri Department of Transportation Traveler Information Map. Click here for the website.