Special Weather Statement for Putnam, Rockland, Westchester

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement for Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties.

It’s a continued warning about the continuing cold:

...DANGEROUSLY COLD WIND CHILLS THIS MORNING...

* TEMPERATURES THIS MORNING RANGE FROM NEAR ZERO TO 10 DEGREES BELOW DURING THIS TIME...COUPLED WITH STRONG...GUSTY WINDS...ARE EXPECTED TO PRODUCE LIFE THREATENING WIND CHILLS AS COLD AS 20 TO 30 DEGREES BELOW ZERO.

* HIGH TEMPERATURES TODAY WILL ONLY BE IN THE TEENS...WITH WIND CHILLS LIKELY NOT RISING ABOVE ZERO UNTIL MID TO LATE AFTERNOON.

* COLD SPELLS OF THIS MAGNITUDE BRING A RISK OF FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA FOR ANYONE WHO DOES NOT TAKE PROPER PRECAUTIONS. IN ADDITION...FROZEN PIPES AND OVERWORKED FURNACES COULD LEAVE YOUR HOUSE WITHOUT HEAT OR RUNNING WATER...AND CAR BATTERIES RUN THE RISK OF DYING.

* NEVER VENTURE OUTDOORS WITHOUT WEARING GLOVES...A HAT AND SEVERAL LAYERS OF CLOTHING. WIND CHILL VALUES LATE SATURDAY NIGHT INTO SUNDAY MORNING COULD LEAD TO FROSTBITE IN LESS THAN 30 MINUTES IF PROPER PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.

* RUN WATER AT A TRICKLE AND KEEP CABINET DOORS OPEN TO PREVENT PIPES FROM FREEZING.

* NEVER USE A STOVE OR OVEN TO HEAT YOUR HOME OR USE AN OPEN FLAME TO MELT FROZEN PIPES. MANY HOUSE FIRES RESULT FROM THESE PRACTICES.

* CHECK TIRE PRESSURE AND YOUR CAR BATTERY. BE SURE YOUR CAR HAS A WINTER SAFETY KIT THAT INCLUDES A BLANKET...WARM CLOTHES AND GLOVES IN CASE YOUR CAR BREAKS DOWN OR BECOMES STRANDED.

* TAKE EXTRA STEPS TO KEEP YOUR PETS WARM AND KNOW THEIR LIMITS TO COLD