Alamance County Emergency Management Releases Winter Preparedness Guide and Alerts Sign-Up

Alamance County Emergency Management is urging residents to prepare now for winter storms by publishing a comprehensive winter-preparedness resource and offering a local alerts sign-up so households can receive timely warnings and operational updates. The county frames the materials around practical steps families and commuters can take before, during and after winter events to reduce risk and speed recovery.

The county resource outlines common winter storm hazards and provides specific guidance on recognizing frostbite and hypothermia. Signs of frostbite include numbness and pale or waxy skin, while hypothermia can present as severe shivering, confusion and slowed breathing. Alamance County Emergency Management emphasizes early action for vulnerable populations, including older adults and residents with mobility challenges, and encourages neighbors to check on each other when temperatures plunge.

Household preparation advice in the county materials covers recommended supplies such as three days of food and water for each person, prescription medications, warm clothing and blankets, a battery-powered radio or NOAA weather radio, flashlights and extra batteries, phone chargers, and basic tools. The guidance also lays out actions to take in each phase of a storm: prepare and secure property before a storm, limit travel and conserve resources during a storm, and inspect surroundings carefully after a storm before re-entering buildings or driving on untreated roads.

Vehicle preparation tips target local commuting patterns between Burlington, Graham, Mebane and Elon, and the county’s rural stretches. The resource recommends keeping gas tanks at least half full, carrying an in-car winter emergency kit with a blanket, shovel and traction material, and avoiding unnecessary travel while road crews work to clear ice and snow. The county notes that bridges, overpasses and shaded sections of county roads can form black ice quickly and advises drivers to reduce speed and increase following distance.

Generator and carbon-monoxide safety are highlighted to address the increased use of portable generators during power outages. Alamance County Emergency Management advises running generators outdoors and away from windows, installing working carbon-monoxide detectors, and never using grills or camp stoves indoors.

On operational coordination, the county states it will manage emergency operations and coordinate shelter openings when necessary. Residents are directed to sign up for local alerts through Alamance County Emergency Management so they receive notifications on shelter locations, road closures and other emergency actions. The county emergency office also provides contact information for assistance and inquiries about preparedness, response or recovery.

For Alamance County residents, the county’s winter-preparedness material and alert sign-up are practical tools to reduce the impact of storms on households, mobility and safety. Sign up for alerts, complete or update your emergency kit, and plan routes and check-ins with family or neighbors so the community can move through the season with fewer surprises and faster recovery.