It’s no surprise the cold has taken us all by storm! More than one-third of the continental US area was below zero on Monday. These temperatures are reaching historic lows and bring large amounts of snow and ice to areas that aren’t accustomed.
Here are some of the most recent statistics according to an article posted by CNN;
- Dallas dipped to 5 degrees, the coldest temperature the city has seen since 1989.
- Oklahoma City hit 6 degrees below zero, the city’s coldest temperature since 1989, and the wind chill reached a record 29 degrees below zero.
- Austin and San Antonio in Texas both had single-digit temperatures for the first time since 1989.
- Corpus Christi, Texas, dipped down to 17 degrees, the coldest it’s been there since 1989.
- Rapid City, South Dakota, has had five consecutive nights of 12 degrees below zero. The last time this happened was in 1943.
- The wind chill dipped to 32 degrees below zero in Kansas City, Missouri, the lowest since 1989.
- Monday’s high of 3 degrees below zero and a low of 21 degrees below zero was the coldest day in Omaha, Nebraska, in 25 years.
While it might be a little late to prep your homes and communities for this type of weather, here are a few tips for winterizing in the future!
Indoor Winterizing
- Examine doors and replace weather-stripping as needed
- Inspect window caulking and reseal where needed
- Check vents and repair where needed
- Clean chimneys and flues
- Remove items near heat vents
- Place nonskid runners or doormats outside to help keep water, sand, and salt out
Outdoor Winterizing
- Cut tree branches and shrubs that hide signs or block light
- Examine outdoor handrails and tighten if needed
- Turn off electrical breakers for outdoor equipment.
- Close hose bibs
- Clean out gutters and downspouts
- Clear yard drains
- Spray outdoor locks and hinges with lubricant
- Stake driveway and walkway edges that may be difficult to find under deep snow
It’s also essential for management to communicate effectively to homeowners during this time. Having software solutions such as announcements, community discussions, and alerts are significant during extreme weather. We hope everyone can stay safe and bundled up as these low temperatures continue. To learn more about how to leverage technology to communicate in your communities, contact [email protected].
