Be careful with freezing temps

Christmas will be here Sunday, but Winter Storm Elliott is expected to arrive late Thursday or Friday possibly sending temperatures into single digits with windchill factors below zero.

Escambia County (Ala.) Emergency Management Director David Adams said the national weather forecasts call for temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees. Temperatures Friday could stay near or below freezing all day.

Adams noted that once temperatures drop Thursday and Friday they will likely stay near the freezing mark until Sunday.

“We’re not used to this kind of cold down here,” Adams said. “People need to be prepared for freezing temperatures for several days.”

Flomaton Utilities Superintendent Shaun Moye recommends people leave hot and cold water running with a steady drip during the freezing weather.

“A slow drip can still freeze at these temperatures,” he said. “It needs to be a steady drip. That also includes hot water.”

Moye said the impact will depend on how certain houses and businesses are plumbed on whether on not the pipes will freeze. He said he realizes it will cost some money to leave faucets running for several days but it’s less expensive than having water pipes burst or being left without any running water.

“Pipe wrap alone won’t stop it,” Moye said. “Once the water freezes inside the pipes it could take two to three days to begin thawing out.”

Jackson Hines with Hines Realty in Brewton said he sent messages out to all the company’s renters to leave hot and cold water faucets dripping and if someone was going out of town they needed to leave the thermostat on at least 65 degrees from Thursday through Monday.

Fires

Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton also issued warnings about non-traditional heating during this arctic blast, noting in the past when temperatures drop this low house fires begin.

“If someone needs to use a space heater, which I do not recommend, make sure it’s at least 3 feet away from anything, including the wall or furniture,” Stanton said.

Stanton also noted you should never plug a space heater into an extension cord.

He also said people should not bring barbecue grills into the house to generate heat and to be very careful with kerosene heaters.

“I got a call yesterday from two local families needing heaters and blankets,” Stanton said Wednesday. “I was able to get them and deliver them to the homes.”

He said if anyone needs heaters or blankets they can call him on his cell phone at 850-393-8807.

Stanton added that it’s important for people to make sure their smoke detectors are in working order and if anyone needs a smoke detector they can call the Flomaton Police Department at 251-296-5811 and one can be delivered and even installed.

“This cold weather scares every fire department,” he said. “We expect some fires but if people have working smoke detectors, hopefully nobody will get hurt.”

Pets

When temperatures drop this low it’s important to make sure pets are kept warm. If possible, bring cats and dogs inside. If that’s not an option make sure they have a place to escape the wind and place blankets and straw inside enclosed areas.