Winter storms create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heart attacks from overexertion. They can bring extreme cold, freezing rain, snow, ice, and high winds.
If you or someone you know needs shelter, call 2-1-1.
Please share this information with people who may not see or understand these messages.
IF YOU ARE UNDER A WINTER STORM WARNING
Stay Informed
Download the free Ready Erie App to receive notifications, locate emergency shelters, view up-to-date evacuation maps, create a personalized emergency preparedness plan and more.
Sign up for the City of Buffalo BUFFALERT System to receive emergency alerts and severe weather warnings that could directly impact you and your family. Contact your city, town or village for how to sign up for their service.
Listen to commercial radio and television stations for the latest winter weather conditions.
Erie County Winter Storm Scale: developed with the University at Albany and its Center of Excellence in Weather and Climate Analytics, this presents a real-time map of winter weather-related impacts to people (by demographic) and places within Erie County, New York.
Other helpful resources:
- State Weather Risk Communication Center (SWRCC)
- National Weather Service, Buffalo
- NYS Thruway Authority Website
- 511NY
- NY State Press Releases
- Erie County Press Releases
- Erie County Homeland Security and Emergency Services Website
- City of Buffalo Winter Resources
- ECDOH Press Releases
- Check your city, town, or village website
Make a Plan & Build Your Kits
During extremely cold weather, staying warm and safe can be a challenge. Learn how to prepare for winter storms, prevent cold temperature-related health problems, and protect yourself, your family, and your pets during all stages of a winter storm.
Make a plan
Learn how to make a plan before an emergency happens.
Create an emergency plan which includes the following and practice the plan.
- How you will get emergency alerts and warnings
- What is your evacuation plan.
- How you will reach family/friends.
- Update your emergency kits.
Languages other than English: اللغة العربية (Arabic) | Español (Spanish) | Français (French) | Kreyòl Ayisyen (Haitian Creole) | 日本語 (Japanese) | 조선말 / 한국어 (Korean) | Русский (Russian) | Tagalog (Tagalog) | Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) | 简体中文 (Chinese Simplified)
Build a home kit
- Build an emergency kit for your home.
- Build your food pantry and download the Emergency Eats Cookbook.
- Have a supply of medications and first aid supplies.
- Have warm clothing available.
- Have a portable radio, flashlights, and extra batteries.
- Exchange contact info with your neighbors and neighbors of loved ones.
- More items to include in your home kit.
Languages other than English: اللغة العربية (Arabic) | Español (Spanish) | Français (French) | Kreyòl Ayisyen (Haitian Creole) | 日本語 (Japanese) | 조선말 / 한국어 (Korean) | Русский (Russian) | Tagalog (Tagalog) | Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) | 简体中文 (Chinese Simplified)
Checklist for Home, Car, Pets and Animals (English)
قائمة التحقق في حالات الطوارئ (اللغة العربية - Arabic)
জরুরি চেকলিস্ট (বাংলা - Bengali)
အေရးေပ& 'ကိ*တင်ြပင်ဆင်မ စစ်ေဆးရနစ် ာရငး် ( မြန်မာဘာသာ - Burmese)
Lista de verificación de emergencia (Español - Spanish)
Orodha ya Ukaguzi wa Dharura (Kiswahili - Swahili)
Build a car kit
- Build an emergency kit for your car.
- Keep your gas tank full.
- Have tires with good tread.
- Know how to use jumper cables.
- Do not drive through flooded areas.
- If a power line falls on your car stay inside until a trained person removes the wire.
- More items to include in your car kit.
Languages other than English: اللغة العربية (Arabic) | Español (Spanish) | Français (French) | Kreyòl Ayisyen (Haitian Creole) | 日本語 (Japanese) | 조선말 / 한국어 (Korean) | Русский (Russian) | Tagalog (Tagalog) | Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) | 简体中文 (Chinese, Simplified)
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide, or “CO,” is an odorless, colorless gas that can kill you. CO is found in fumes produced any time you burn fuel in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, or furnaces. CO can build up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe it.
CO poisoning symptoms
CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO, it can make you pass out or kill you. People who are sleeping or drunk can die from CO poisoning before they have symptoms. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Chest pain
- Confusion
More information about CO and CO poisoning
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) FAQs (Español)
- How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Generator Safety and Quick Guide to Generator Safety
- Space Heater Safety
Emergency Information for Specific Groups
Seniors
- Seniors are especially at risk for cold weather illness. Visit the Department of Senior Services website for information on emergency preparedness for seniors.
- Steps To Be Taken by Adult Care Facilities in Cold Weather
Pets
See links below, keep pets indoors, safe, and contact your veterinarian for any questions you have regarding your pets.
- American Veterinary Medical Association - Cold Weather Pet Safety
- SPCA of America - Cold Weather Safety Tips
- Humane Society of the US - Protect Your Pet During Winter and Cold Weather
