Condition or Conditions

Situation

Impact for Vulnerable People

Plan Ahead

Low Temperatures

Temperatures between freezing and 50° = risk of hypothermia. Freezing temperatures closer to 32° are less likely to cause frostbite.

Older adults, children and pregnant women may have a harder time regulating their temperature. People with mobility issues may have trouble seeking shelter. People who are unhoused or working outside are at risk.

Store water

Wear hats

Wear gloves

Share warming supplies with those in need

Very Low Temperatures

Frostbite is a concern outside, especially for long periods of time.

Older adults, children and pregnant women may have a harder time regulating their temperature. People with mobility issues may have trouble seeking shelter. People who are unhoused or working outside are at risk. Water and gas pipes can break when temperatures rise. 

Bubble wrap on windows

Drip faucets

Get food and water

Store extra water in bathtub, sink or containers

Block draft

Limit time outside

Protect people, pets, pipes, plants

Share supplies

DON’T: use oven for heat or put generators inside

Low or Very Low Temperatures + Rain or Freezing Rain or Snow

The risk of hypothermia increases a lot when wet. Rain can also ice over roads and materials. Snow can pack down and do the same.

In addition to above, rain is very hard on the unhoused population and people working outside when temperatures are very cold. Iced over roads may mean limited access to support. Iced over trees can break power lines.

See above +

Alert vulnerable people & share supplies

Limit time outside

Snow tires

Gas for generator

Extra food and water

Protect people, pets, pipes, plants

DON’T: use oven for heat or put generators inside

Low Temperatures and High Wind (and/or rain)

Wind takes heat from the body. High wind can destroy life-saving tents as well.

Destroyed tents combined with wind, freezing temperatures or rain can make it very hard for people stuck outside to protect themselves.

See above + 

Secure outside items.

Check on unhoused community. New tents and tarps are needed.

Any of the Above + No Power

Without power, phones can go dead, heating options are limited, and if a boil water notice is in place, other methods are needed. 

Older adults may have trouble navigating their needs. People with generators may not be able to get gas to run them. People with electronic medical equipment. 

Put perishables outside to keep cold.

Run cord for electric heaters to generators placed outside only.

Use fireplaces safely. Watch for broken pipes as temperatures rise.

Any of the Above + No Water

Broken water lines plus bad road conditions can limit water access.

Sanitary conditions and dehydration can affect people who are pregnant, small children, older adults, and people with certain conditions.

Gas lines may also be broken.

If water runs low and roads are unpassable, advocate for outside support.