CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice, along with the West Virginia Emergency Management Division and the National Weather Service, have designated Nov. 14 – 18 as Winter Weather Awareness Week in West Virginia.

In his proclamation, Justice recognizes that the risk to life and property during winter weather can be greatly reduced if West Virginians take appropriate preparedness measures before, during and after winter weather strikes.

“Winter Weather Awareness Week gives us the opportunity to prepare for the threats we face each year,” said Justice. “I encourage everyone to take time now to prepare their homes, businesses, and communities for winter weather of all types.”

Read Gov. Justice’s proclamation.

“The unpredictable weather we face each year is a reminder of just how dangerous winter can be,” said GE McCabe, Director of the West Virginia Emergency Management Division. “Take time during Winter Weather Awareness Week to stock your emergency kits, winterize your vehicles and check your home’s heating system, fireplace or chimney to be sure you’re ready for winter.”

Assembling a basic emergency kit is one of the best ways to prepare for the winter ahead. A basic emergency kit should have a three-day supply of food, water, and medicine along with the essential supplies you family would need in the event of a prolonged power outage when travel is not possible. More on what to include in your family’s emergency kit can be found at ready.gov/build-a-kit.

Other winter weather preparedness advice:

• Know the weather risks your community and area faces.
• Monitor weather forecasts.
• When a winter storm is in the forecast, communicate with family members to know their location and travel plans.
• Make sure all family members can receive emergency alerts.
• The best idea is to stay home during winter storms, but sometimes that’s not possible. So, winterize your vehicle. Keep an emergency kit in your car.

The West Virginia Department of Transportation urges you to “know before you go” by checking traffic and road closure information at wv511.org before heading out the door.

“It is not unusual for conditions to vary from no snow and clear driving in the valleys to piles of snow and treacherous travel conditions in the mountains,” said Tony Edwards, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston. “Travelers should make sure to check the forecast and road conditions all along their route, not just at their destination.”

Winter Weather Awareness Week is a perfect time for families, communities, schools, and businesses to review their plans and to build or resupply their emergency kits. To help that effort, EMD and the NWS offices that serve West Virginia will share winter weather preparedness information throughout the week via the web, Facebook, and Twitter.

Partner organizations and the media are also encouraged to participate. The NWS has made various winter weather preparedness articles, infographics, and social media plans available for use on the West Virginia Winter Awareness webpage. Additional preparedness information for Winter Weather Awareness Week can be found on the EMD website.