Winter Weather: Snow Storms, Ice, Extreme Cold

The City of Chesapeake may see fewer winter weather emergencies than other areas but that makes it even more important to be prepared. Follow these tips to keep you and your family safe.

Prepare Ahead of Time

Sign up for Chesapeake Alert for emergency notifications by email, phone or text. Make sure to sign up and stay up to date.

Prepare your home with insulation, caulking, and weather stripping. Take steps to keep pipes from freezing.

Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups.

Make a family emergency communication plan.

Put together a winter emergency supply kit, including food, water, medications, cell phone chargers, first aid supplies, blankets and cold weather gear, flashlight and batteries. For other ideas on what to pack in your kit visit Ready.gov.

Check in with your neighbors, particularly the elderly and home-bound, to see if they need anything.

During the Event

Stay inside. If you must go outside, wear layers of warm clothes and watch for signs of frostbite or hypothermia.

Use alternative heat sources carefully. Use space heaters and fireplaces cautiously and never use an oven to heat your home.

Stay off the roads if possible. Be extra cautious of neighborhood roads as these will not be plowed and could stay snow and/or ice covered for days after the event.

If you must drive, prepare your vehicle ahead of time with a kit, clear all the snow and ice off of your car, and leave early. While on the roads, leave plenty of space between you and the cars around you, take it slow, and avoid risky behavior like distracted driving and sudden lane changes.

Be safe around plows.

Stay at least 4 car lengths behind them. Keep in mind they may also be spreading salt out of the back of the truck. Do not assume the driver sees you. His or her field of vision is limited.
Avoid passing a snow plow. The plow may cross over the center line and the road in front of the plow is in much worse condition. Plows might also create a snow cloud or whiteout condition which you should not drive through.
Do not cut in front of a plow too closely. The plow extends well beyond the front of the truck and the truck cannot stop quickly.

The Public Works Department offers more information on snow and debris removal as well as snow plow routes.

Learn more about Snowstorm and Extreme Cold preparation, visit

Winter Weather: Snow Storms, Ice, Extreme Cold

Prepare Ahead of Time

During the Event

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