Winter Storm Tips From County Health, County EMA

The Effingham County Health Department and Effingham County Emergency Management urges residents to take precautions during this winter storm event.

Travel will likely be hazardous. Road crews will be working hard to keep roads passable for emergency vehicles. Citizens are encouraged to avoid travel if possible and shelter in place until roads are free of ice and severe weather conditions have passed.

Residents should exercise extreme caution if they must go outside. Sidewalks and walkways will be slick making falling a dangerous possibility. Falling outside and being unable to get inside makes frost bite and hypothermia greatly possible. Frostbite is a severe reaction to cold exposure of the skin and can occur in as little as 30 minutes. The symptoms of frostbite are numbness and white or pale appearance to the skin. Frostbite can permanently damage the skin. Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition brought on when the body temperature drops below 95 degrees. Residents should avoid going outside while conditions are icy if possible.

Effingham County residents who need emergency warming during this weather emergency may contact the Effingham County Sheriff’s office at 217-342-2101, and they will be put in contact with Emergency Management warming center resources.