SOUTHERN COLORADO – There’s a major winter weather travel advisory in Colorado for Wednesday night.
With blowing snow, temperatures dropping and the wind picking up, News 5 has a few simple tips to arm yourself against Jack Frost and to stay safe on the roads.
According to the American Red Cross, here are some basic supplies you should keep handy:
- Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
- Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home).
- Flashlight
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
- Multi-purpose tool
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items
- Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
- Cell phone with chargers
- Family and emergency contact information
- Extra cash
- Emergency blanket
- Map(s) of the area
In reaction to Wednesday’s weather, Isaiah Davison said, “It’s a little scary.”
Davison isn’t exactly used to Colorado winters.
“I’m from California so just not prepared for the cold.”
Even so, he’s trying to ready himself for whatever this season may bring.
“I just make sure my tires are…on treads and make sure I have good brakes…I keep granola bars in my car. I keep a blanket in my car as well. I also keep a few extra hoodies just in case.”
T.J. Swint recommends having “a full tank of gas or at least half a tank and that way you can always pull off the side of the road and stay warm…jumper cables, flares, flashlight, that kind of stuff.”
When it comes to actually driving in cold and snowy conditions, people with the Colorado Department of Transportation would like your help.
Mark Gocha, a senior supervisor in Pueblo, said, “It’s extremely difficult. There’s a lot of things happening in the cab of that truck that the public don’t see…I ask that the public slows down and gives us a break…we’re on the worst part of that highway. We want to make sure it’s safe for them.”
With the potential for a heavy snowfall in the southern parts of the state Gocha said plows will be out in full force.
“Tonight we’re prepared to cover all of our local roads in a three-county area, all of our highways and state highways, interstates in a three-county area.”
Besides snowy conditions this week, drivers will also have to deal with more traffic than usual. AAA said holiday traffic will mix with regular commuter traffic during the mornings and evenings. All that combined-budget a little extra time to get to your destination.
