Running head: WINTER STORMS 1

Winter Storms


Karen Bowers
Laura Parker
Stephanie Ryan
Kathleen Vietti
Ferris State University

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Abstract
Natural disasters such as severe winter storms, blizzards, and ice can occur in Michigan and can
impact our lifestyle at a moments notice. Winter storms can bring ice, snow, wind, cold
temperatures, and dangerous driving hazards. As healthcare providers we need to be aware of
winter storm watches and warnings in our community and be prepared to care for patients that
have medical emergencies that occur in these types of disasters. The following paper contains an
analysis of the research available in regards to the summary of the types of winter storms, an
analysis of whether there is an increase in the amount of these events, health implications of
these storms, and mitigation strategies to reduce the effects that can occur from the aftermath of
these winter storms.
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Winter Storms
Disaster situations related to weather events can occur without warning. Modern science
and technology has taken away some of the unpredictability associated with severe weather
events, such as when the storm will come, and what area it will affect, but technology cannot
change the severity of the storm or the impact of it. A winter storm can consist of blizzard
conditions with strong winds and blowing snow, extreme cold conditions, ice storms, heavy
snow storms, sleet, and freezing rain (U.S. Department of Commerce 1998). This paper will
describe the different types of winter storms, discuss whether there is increased risk for these
storms, analysis of the health implications in regards to these weather events, and determine
prevention and mitigation measures for these disturbances.
Summary of Winter Storms
Winter storms happen frequently in Michigan during the winter months. Winter storms
bring ice, snow, cold temperatures, and often dangerous driving conditions (Veenema, 2013, p.
280). Winter storms can be characterized as a blizzard, blowing snow, snow squalls, snow
showers, and snow flurries. A blizzard can be described as severe winds 35 mile per hour (mph)
or more that reduces visibility to less than mile for more than 3 hours due to the blowing
snow. Blowing snow is caused from the high winds. Snow squalls cause significant
accumulation of snow due to a short severe snow storm that is fueled by strong gusty winds.
Snow showers can be described as snow that falls at intermittent intensities that causes little or
no accumulation (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2008).
The National Weather Service will issue watches, warnings, and advisories that
are backed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A new scale has
been developed by the National Weather Service to classify snowstorms. It is called the
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Northeast Snow Fall Impact Scale (NESIS). It ranks high impact northeast snowstorms with
accumulations of snowfall totaling 10 inches or more. NESIS has five categories which consist
of extreme, crippling, major, significant and notable. It differs from other meteorological
classifications because it provides information about the storms societal impacts such as
transportation by assessing population data in addition to meteorological measurements. There
is a main weather center in Norman, Oklahoma where the meteorologist predicts the winter
storms and then sends this information out to the other National Weather Service centers
(Veenema 2013).
The National Weather Service will issue watches, warnings, and advisories. A winter
watch is described as severe conditions consisting of heavy snow and or ice that have been
predicted in the next day or so. A winter storm warning means that accumulations of 6 inches or
more of snow and sleet and a1/4 inch or more of ice is predicted in the next 24 hours. People are
advised to stay off roadways and to stay indoors. A winter weather advisory is when weather
conditions may occur that can be hazardous and can cause inconveniences mainly to motorists.
A blizzard warning is described as a severe storm with strong winds and blowing snow that can
produce conditions of near zero visibility, deep drifts, and life threatening wind chills (NOAA
2009). When a blizzard warning has been issued people should stay indoors or seek refuge
immediately. The types of winter storms that the Midwest including Michigan typically has
consists of the storms with heavy snow, severe winds, blizzards, severe wind chill, lake effect
snow and ice storms (NOAA 2008).
Frequency and Risk Determination of Winter Storms
Notable storms that had a huge impact on this state include: on March 1st 1976 a major
snow and ice storm that hit the Saginaw Valley and thumb regions. Snow fell first with
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anywhere from 2-10 inches followed by a half inch to one inch of glazing from the ice storm.
This storm was accompanied by high winds. There were 29 counties in the central Lower
Peninsula devastated by this storm. It caused more than 56 million dollars in damage and
widespread power outages for more than 400,000 electric customers. This storm was so severe
that a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration was granted for the affected counties to assist in
recovery (National Weather Service 2007).
Another devastating storm to affect Michigan was the blizzard of 1978. This storm
struck the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes from January 25 through January 27, 1978. Ohio was
hit the worst from this storm where 51 people died as a result. This is considered the most severe
blizzard in Michigan history and about 20 people lost their lives most as a result of heart attacks,
and others in traffic accidents. At least one person died of exposure in a stranded automobile.
Many were taken to hospitals for exposure due to power outages and loss of heat. In Michigan
Governor William Milliken declared a state of emergency and called out the Michigan National
Guard to aid stranded motorists and road crews. The Michigan State Police pronounced
Traverse City, Michigan unofficially closed and warned residents to stay home. Classes at the
University of Michigan were cancelled for the first time ever (Wikipedia 2013).
After researching many different articles related to Michigan snowstorms it was
determined that there are still major snowstorms with record seasons of snowfall but
temperatures have remained warmer than those of past winters. In an analysis of temporal and
spatial characteristics of snowstorms in the United States it was found that the temporal
distributions of storms and their losses exhibited considerable spatial variability across the
nation. For example, when storms were very frequent in the Northeast, they were infrequent
elsewhere, a result of regional shifts in storm-producing synoptic weather conditions over time.
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In another study done it shows that winter storms and snow accumulation have increased in
recent years in the northeast, central and Great Lakes region of the United States (Changnon
2008).
As evidenced by the NESIS scale, 4 major snowstorms were noted in the winter season of
2010-2011, and 4 major snowstorms in the season of 2009-2010, and 1 storm in the winter
season of 2008-2009. NESIS categorizes major storms from notable to extreme based on impact,
9 of the 44 storms (20%) listed since 1956 have occurred between the winter seasons of 2008-
2011. These storms encompass not just Michigan but the entire Northeastern United States.
After looking at graphs of snowfall accumulations it is clearly stated that snow cover in North
American winters has been increasing over the last 45 years. It revealed that the winter of 2009-
2010 had the most snowfall ever recorded, 1977-1978 was second, and 2010-2011 third greatest
and 2007-2008 was slightly less than the 2010-2011 season (Changnon 2008).
Analysis of Health Implications of Winter Storms
Potential health risks that can occur as a result of a severe winter storm include acute
myocardial infarctions, frostbite, hypothermia, motor vehicle accidents, carbon monoxide
poisoning, and slip and fall accidents.
Heart attacks can often occur during snow shoveling and removal. This is due to the cold
conditions causing increased blood pressure and the physical activity of shoveling heavy wet
snow, putting stress onto the heart. Research done on this topic also demonstrates that the
extreme cold also increases blood pressure by vasoconstriction of the blood vessels that can
occur when a person is exposed to the elements outside. A healthy heart will adapt to this by
slowing heart rate, an unhealthy heart will increase the heart rate which can cause a myocardial
infarction (Canter 1994).
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Frostbite and hypothermia are other complications that can happen during the winter
season and during a winter storm. Frostbite occurs when parts of the skin are exposed to extreme
cold temperatures. The parts of the body most affected are the nose, cheeks, ears, fingers, chin,
and toes. Frostbite symptoms are loss of feeling and color to the exposed area. The body area
can have permanent damage and in worst cases leads to amputation. The high risk groups for
this are those with circulation disorders and those who are not dressed appropriately for the
weather conditions. Frostbite can lead to hypothermia which is another complication of winter
storms. An improperly heated home or room, or being out in the elements outside for too long
without the proper clothing can lead to hypothermia. Those most at risk for hypothermia are the
elderly people with inadequate food, heating or clothing, infants sleeping in cold rooms, the
people that spend a vast amount of time out in the elements like the homeless, hikers, and
hunters, and alcohol and drug abusers (United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety
and Health Administration n.d.). Other risk factors include certain medical conditions such as
diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, those who are in poor health, or those who have a
poor diet (Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2012).
Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur during or after a winter storm when people
experience a power outage. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause
sudden illness and death if inhaled. When power outages occur during natural disasters and
other emergencies, the use of alternative sources of fuel or electricity for heating or cooking can
cause CO to build up in a home, garage, or camper and to poison the people and animals inside.
When winter temperatures drop significantly below normal, staying warm and safe can become a
challenge. According to the CDC (2012), Extremely cold temperatures often accompany a
winter storm, so you may have to cope with power failures and icy roads. Although staying
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indoors as much as possible can help reduce the risk of car crashes and falls on the ice, you may
also face indoor hazards. Many homes will be too cold - either due to a power failure or because
the heating system isn't adequate for the weather. When people must use space heaters and
fireplaces to stay warm, the risk of household fires increases, as well as the risk of carbon
monoxide poisoning (para 11).
Statistics in regards to the particular complications of winter storms and deaths are
reported as follows: 70% are due to motor vehicle accidents, 25% are attributed to being caught
out in the cold with 50% of these types of deaths in people over 60. In this over 60 age group,
75% are males and the deaths are due to overexertion from snow removal and difficult tasks.
20% of winters deaths occur in the home and are caused from not having a heat source due to
power outages (Oblack 2013).
Mitigation Measures for Winter Storms
Mitigation includes measures taken to reduce the harmful effects of a disaster by
attempting to limit its impact on human health, community function, and economic
infrastructure (Veenema, 2013, p. 6). Severe weather events are unavoidable, but there are
plans that can be followed before the storm happens to help with getting through the event.
Mitigation measures for winter storms can be described at the governmental and individual level.
Most states and counties work to set preventive measures that would meet the
requirements of Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) funded mitigation
projects (Center for GIScience 2005). FEMA has established Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM)
programs to provide funding to states and other communities for development of projects and
mitigation strategies to available to use prior to a disaster event. The goal of the PDM program
is to reduce risks to communities and structures in the communities, and to decrease the need for
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funding for the actual disaster event declaration funding (U.S. Department of Homeland Security
2012). The state or community that is seeking funding from this program needs to determine
that the mitigation project that is being developed has benefits to the community greater than the
cost and to identify the tangible and intangible items that could occur in a winter storm. The
tangible items would be considered damage to property, identifiable economic losses and deaths.
An example of an intangible item would be when the winter season has had more snow then
budgeted for and the funds needed to keep the roads cleared and safe will have to come from
another areas budget (Center for GIScience 2005). The funding that the PDM program provides
could be used towards plans and projects to get a community through a severe winter storm with
less problems from the damage of the storm.
Severe weather cannot be prevented, but people can do things prior to the storm to be
prepared. During the winter storm season individuals should watch the local news or listen to
commercial radio or NOAA radio for weather updates. People also need to be informed what the
different forecasts and advisories mean.
Prior to the storm one can prepare for a winter storm by organizing his or her home and
vehicle. Items listed that are needed for the home include: rock salt or something similar to it to
melt ice on walkways, snow shovels or snow removal equipment, sufficient heating fuel or an
adequate supply of dry wood, and a supply of adequate clothing and blankets (U.S. Department
of Homeland Security 2013). It is recommended to have a winter storm kit set up prior to a
severe winter storm occurring that could cause a loss of power and heat for more than a day. The
items recommended to have for the home include flashlights and extra batteries, battery powered
NOAA weather radio or radio, extra supplies of water and food, which consists of high energy
food that does not need to be cooked or refrigerated, extra medicine, first aid supplies, and baby
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items. It is also recommended to have an emergency heating source, fire extinguisher, and
smoke detectors (U.S. Department of Commerce 1998). One of the recommendations for
motorists prior to a winter storm is to keep gas tanks full to avoid ice forming in the tank or fuel
line. Another important item is to not travel alone, and to let another person know the route that
you are taking. It is recommended to have vehicles fully checked and winterized and to have an
emergency kit for vehicles too. This kit should contain blankets, a flashlight with extra batteries,
first aid kit, knife, non-perishable food, extra clothing, a large can with a lid to use for voiding
and elimination purposes, a small can and matches to melt snow, sand or cat litter for traction, a
shovel, windshield scraper, tool kit, tow rope, booster cables, compass, and road maps (U.S.
Department of Commerce 1998).
It is recommended to protect pets by bringing them inside during winter storms and to
move livestock to a sheltered area and to keep the animals drinking water from freezing (U.S.
Department of Homeland Security 2013).
In conclusion, winter storms are unavoidable events that the public may have to deal with
at some point. The deaths associated with winter storms are mainly causes by motor vehicle
accidents and hypothermia due to the lack of heat sources and power, and to dangerous road
conditions. The public can be better prepared to handle these type of storms by staying informed
of impending weather conditions and being knowledgeable about the different types of
adversaries and warnings. Being prepared prior to the arrival of a winter storm by having the
necessary supplies and emergency kits ready for the home and vehicle will help the public to get
through the aftermath of a winter storm.

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