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Safety During the Storm

Protect yourself and others in cold or dangerous weather

Safety comes first

Safety is our top priority, for both you and our crews, especially during hazardous weather events. Here are some tips to keep in mind to protect yourself in bad weather.

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Know how to react to each type of weather alert

Familiarize yourself with the most common types of weather warnings and learn how to respond to each situation. These alerts are common in colder months:

Winter Storm

Winter storms can bring strong winds, dangerously low temperatures and heavy ice, sleet, snow or freezing rain. These conditions make driving and prolonged outdoor exposure risky, so it’s important to stay cautious and keep backup heat sources on-hand.

Winter Storm Watch

Cold winds and 5+ inches of ice, sleet, snow or freezing rain may fall. Prepare backup heat sources and avoid travel.

Winter Storm Warning

In the next 12 hours, heavy snow of at least 6 inches (or ½ inch of sleet) will fall. Prepare backup heat and power sources and avoid travel.

Winter Weather Advisory

Freezing rain or 2–4 inches of snow will probably cause significant inconvenience. Prepare backup heat sources and be careful when traveling.

Blizzard Warning

Snow and wind will reduce visibility to less than a quarter mile. There may be 35+ mph sustained winds. Prepare backup heat sources and avoid travel.

Ice Storm Warning

A quarter-inch or more of ice may fall. Prepare backup heat and power sources and avoid travel.

Freeze Watch

Temperatures could drop below freezing in the next 36 hours. Keep an eye on the weather.

Freeze Warning

Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing. Protect new or cold-sensitive plants and allow faucets to drip to avoid damage to pipes. Practice caution while driving.

Wind Chill Advisory

Gusts of wind will reach temperatures below -5º–19ºF. Avoid prolonged exposure to the cold.

Wind Chill Warning

Gusts of wind will reach temperatures below –20ºF. Avoid prolonged exposure to the cold.

Extreme Cold Watch

During a Wind Chill or Freeze Watch, temperatures may drop so low, water freezes. It can lead to power outages, frozen pipes and dangerous roads. Check your heater, update your emergency kit and charge or put gas in your car. Identify emergency heating sources or locations to go for warmth. Learn about the signs of hypothermia and frostbite.

Extreme Cold Warning

During a Wind Chill or Freeze Warning, temperatures drop so low, water freezes. Prepare for potential power outages, let faucets drip and avoid driving. Dress in layers, don’t go outside for too long and watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite. Use emergency heating sources if you lose power or move to a location where you'll stay warm.

Flooding

Floods cause more deaths than any other weather disaster in the United States. Within minutes of heavy rainfall, floods can occur anywhere at anytime, causing violent, fast-moving waters to surge through an area. Practice these safety tips to protect yourself.

Flash Flood Watch

It’s possible that a flash flood may occur quickly and without much warning. Be prepared to move to higher ground just in case.

Flash Flood Warning

A flash flood is occurring. Seek higher ground and do not drive through flooded areas.

Safety Tips:

  • Turn on your weather radio and listen for updates from the National Weather Service.
  • Research your area’s flood risk.
  • Keep your Storm Kit or “go bag” nearby.
  • Watch for rising water levels and identify high ground you can escape to if water begins rising rapidly.
  • Never walk through flowing water. Even if it’s shallow, it can sweep people away.
  • Don’t drive through a flood — this is how most flood deaths occur.
  • If your vehicle stalls in flood water, abandon it and go to higher ground.
  • Practice extra caution at night or when visibility is low.
Thunderstorms

In Tennessee, thunderstorms occur 50 days out of every year, on average. Because storms are so frequent, learning about them is crucial for your safety.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

A severe thunderstorm is possible. Prepare for potential power outages, strong winds, lightning, large hail & possible tornadoes.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

A severe thunderstorm is occurring. Shelter inside, away from windows.

Safety Tips:

  • Ensure you’ve followed these preparation tips.
  • Tune in to a weather radio for updates from the National Weather Service.
  • Stay indoors and bring your pets inside.
  • Check the weather forecast prior to driving or going outside.
  • Avoid boats, water, trees, fences and poles.
  • Stay indoors and bring your pets inside.
  • Keep your Storm Kit or “go bag” nearby.
  • Unplug all unnecessary appliances or use surge protectors.
  • Protect your HVAC system from power surges by turning it off.
  • If you’re outside in the woods, shelter beneath shorter trees.
  • If you’re outside and lightning strikes nearby, squat down and place your head in between your knees to make yourself the smallest possible target.
Tornadoes

On average, Chattanooga experiences at least 2 tornadoes per year. Tornadoes are destructive and can be deadly. Follow these tips to protect yourself.

Tornado Watch

The conditions are right for a tornado to occur. Stay alert, identify a safe room and prepare for possible outages.

Tornado Warning

A tornado has been spotted. Take shelter immediately in a basement or interior room on the lowest level of a building, away from windows.

Safety Tips:

  • Turn on your weather radio and listen for updates from the National Weather Service.
  • Take shelter in a safe space immediately if you receive an alert for a Tornado Warning. The safest place in your home is:
  • The lowest level (basements are the safest option).
  • Small, central room away from windows (closet, hallway, bathroom).
  • You want as many walls as possible between you and your home’s exterior.
  • If sheltering in a first-floor bathroom, get in the tub.
  • For added protection, cover yourself with a mattress, cushions or thick blanket.
  • If you live in a mobile or manufactured home, leave immediately and go to a sturdier building, preferably with a basement.
  • If there’s no time to shelter, lie flat in a ditch and cover your head.
  • Never get in a vehicle during a tornado.
Safety Tip: Wind and open flames are a dangerous combination — avoid using candles to prevent a possible fire hazard.
SPACE HEATER SAFETY TIPS

Using a space heater to stay warm? Protect your home and avoid fire hazards by practicing these safety tips. Remember: a personal space heater is not an energy-efficient option for heating your home.

  • Inspect power cords for cracked, broken, or frayed areas & loose connections. Never use a damaged space heater.
  • Never leave space heaters unattended. Turn it off if you exit the room or sleep.
  • Place at least 3 feet away from curtains, drapes, papers or flammable objects.
  • Plug directly into an unused wall outlet — NOT an extension cord or power strip.
How to stay safe in a power outage when it’s cold outside

Safety Tips:

  • Limit your time outside.
  • Learn about the signs and basic treatments for frostbite and hypothermia.
  • Wear several warm layers of clothing and use blankets.
  • If available, use your gas or wood heater or stove as needed.
  • Avoid overexertion in the cold to reduce the risk of a heart attack.
  • Practice generator safety and only use generators and grills outside and away from windows.
  • Use items from your emergency supply kit, such as handwarmers and blankets to stay warm.
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MYEPB APP
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Is your power out? Report outages and stay informed.

  • Text “OUTAGE” to 423-648-1372 to report an outage.
  • The fastest, most convenient way to report outages and get live updates is with the MyEPB app. Download it free on your device's app store.
  • Report outages and monitor restoration progress on your smart phone.
  • Call us at 423-648-1372 to report outages — but beware of long wait times. We get a lot of calls during outages.
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Safety Before the Storm

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Safety After the Storm

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