Snow plow going down a street that is covered in snow
Hazard

Severe Winter Weather

Winter Weather consists of winter storm events in which the main types of precipitation are snow, sleet, or freezing rain.

Relevant Options

Develop a comprehensive maintenance and training program for local government employees at facilities with backup generators to ensure proper placement, hook-up and function during hazard events. Assess governmental assets' exposure to erosion, extreme heat, flooding, high winds, landslides, severe winter weather and wildfire. Determine if those assets house critical functions. If they do, determine Publish a guide on steps that property owners can take to make their existing buildings more resilient. Identify community partnerships that could provide drinking water in emergencies. Coordinate with social service providers to ensure that emergency shelters are available during extreme heat events, poor air quality days, severe weather and other highly hazardous conditions. Ensure Plan to relocate critical facilities in high-risk areas using a frame in line with their expansion or refurbishment cycles. Diversify food supply chains to prepare for potential impacts from changing seasons and extreme events. For example, support local food production by promoting new technologies, encouraging farmers to Create and invest in strategic pre-disaster plans for post-disaster recovery. Support the study and development of microgrid infrastructure systems to enhance power quality, reliability and resilience for facilities during grid outages and under normal conditions. Beyond strengthening existing systems, increase system redundancy to protect critical infrastructure from power outages. Create a map of detours and educate the public on alternative access points and the evacuation plan. Ensure drafted communications include instructions on preparing to be temporarily stranded. Create or expand a program that provides energy retrofits for public housing. Develop outreach and resource programs that provide clothing and knowledge for homeless populations to deal with being outside in extreme cold, extreme heat and extreme weather events. Create agreements with AirBnB and other home share platforms to educate guests on hazards and emergency exit strategies. Make use of state and federal home weatherization programs for low- and medium-income households. Help connect low-income residents with existing weatherization programs. These programs often provide home insulation, water heater insulation, double-paned windows, thermostats, window coverings, fans Prioritize the proper function of transit, transportaiton, and mobility access points for socially vulnerable populations before, during, and after climate-related events. Encourage utilities to include climate change scenarios in energy load forecasting and in the Integrated Resource Plan. Evaluate the potential effects of these changes in demand on revenue. For example, Enhance emergency communication capabilities and evacuation strategies, routes and safety zones. Encourage utility companies to harden energy infrastructure systems (e.g., poles, lines) against damage from climate-related effects and expand redundancy in the energy network.

Related Case Studies & Action Plans

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    Relevant Tools

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    Relevant Trainings

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