×

Dangerous cold expected tonight through Monday in Northeast Michigan

News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Becca Curtis exercises her dog Toby at the Thomas Stafford Dog Park on Friday.

ALPENA — Beginning Saturday night, temperatures in Alpena are expected to drop to 7 degrees, with a wind chill as low as 2 degrees below zero.

On Sunday, temperatures are expected to drop further, with a high of 13 degrees during the day and a low of 1 degree at night. Monday’s temperatures are expected to reach a high of 10 degrees during the day and 3 degrees below zero at night.

MyMichigan Health, the Midland-based owner of the Alpena hospital, this week provided guidelines on staying safe in the extremely cold temperatures over the weekend.

Cold temperatures present risks of hypothermia, symptoms of which include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, and drowsiness, MyMichigan Health said in a news release. If medical help isn’t available, warm the person by moving him or her to a warm shelter. Remove wet clothing. Warm the core (chest, neck, head, groin) first, using an electric blanket or skin-to-skin contact. Provide warm (non-alcoholic) beverages if they’re conscious, and keep them dry and wrapped in blankets.

In the case of frostbite, which causes damage to the skin from extreme cold, look for symptoms such as pale skin and loss of feeling, particularly in extremities. If waiting for medical help, rewarm affected areas slowly, prioritizing the core if hypothermia is also present.

If experiencing a winter power outage, be sure to use generators outside and keep them at least 20 feet from your home. Avoid using any gasoline or charcoal-burning devices indoors. Avoid heating your home with a gas oven or unvented devices, and never use kerosene or propane heaters inside. That will help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas, making it difficult to detect. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include dizziness, light-headedness, and nausea.

For hypothermia, frostbite, or carbon monoxide poisoning, seek medical attention immediately.

Prepare your home and car for winter emergencies to help reduce health risks, MyMichigan Health said. Be ready to shelter in place for several days.

If travel is necessary, keep your gas tank full and an emergency kit in your vehicle, and stay informed with a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio or local news.

Insulate your home with storm windows or plastic covers. Maintain heating equipment and ensure proper venting, and let water run at a trickle to prevent frozen pipes.

Keep sand, rock salt, or kitty litter for slippery walkways, MyMichigan Health said. Dress in layers, wear mittens and a hat, and choose waterproof, insulated boots.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today