County EMA, Health Department Warns About Dangerously Cold Weather

The Effingham County Health Department and Effingham County Emergency Management urges residents to take precautions during this holiday weekend.  Wind chill temperatures may be well below zero.

Residents should avoid going outside if at all possible, and if not, limit their exposure time to severe cold. In order to reduce exposure and possible frostbite, cover all exposed parts of the body.  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 are also encouraged to make sure pets have access to shelter from these dangerously cold temperatures.

Effingham County residents who need emergency warming during these extremely cold temperatures may contact the Effingham County Sheriff’s office at 217-342-2101, and they will be put in contact with warming center resources.