GREENSBORO, N.C. — Greensboro and the rest of the Triad are expected to see a significant weather storm this Sunday.
We won't get a more precise idea of what to expect for another day or so. The need to prepare still remains.
"My motto is 'it's always better to have it then not need it than to need it and not have it," Tim Bell, a shopper gathering supplies, said.
You should have a first aid kit, battery-powered radios and lights, water, and a three-day supply of food ahead of any winter storm, according to Ace Hardware. It said you should also charge your devices before the storm hits in case you lose power.
In case you lose power, there are several things to do so you can stay warm.
- Stay in one room as much as possible. Try to pick a bedroom with the fewest walls to the outside and windows.
- During the day, you'll want the blinds up to let in as much sunlight as possible. At night, cover the windows with a towel or blanket. For extra warmth, set up a tent inside that room.
- You'll want at least three layers. A sweater and an inner base like an undershirt and long johns. Avoid cotton because it will soak up your sweat and make you colder.
You should have an emergency kit in your car ready too. Lakiah Banks said her husband's car died on Bryan Boulevard in Greensboro on Jan. 3. She was thankful he had a coat in his trunk because it took her 40 minutes to get to him.
Consumer Reports has a list of things you should have in your car in case of emergency. The list includes a snow scraper, a shovel, jumper cables, and flashlights.
One way to avoid getting stuck in a storm is to not drive when one is in the forecast. If you absolutely must go out, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Never drive with your hazards on. A car's turn signals don't work when the hazards lights are on. That could make changing lanes dangerous. If the visibility is so low that you're worried about another car not seeing you, pull off to the side of the road, then turn your hazards on.
You also need to turn your headlights on if you're using your windshield wipers. It will help you see better, and state law requires it.