What to Do in Specific Emergency Situations

Winter Storms/Blizzards

Heavy snow or blizzard conditions can include freezing rain, sleet, and high winds, and can cause significant damage and immobilize an entire area. Travel is often hazardous during such storms and medical conditions such as frostbite and hypothermia can be suffered by those exposed to such extreme weather. If you and your customers are caught in a blizzard or winter storm, adhere to the following:

• Stay inside!
• Keep dry.
• Light exercise, huddling together and added clothing layers help to maintain body heat.
• Avoid overexertion
• Eat and drink. Food provides the body with energy and heat. Fluids prevent dehydration.
  

Transit Facilities:

• If there is no heat, seal off unused rooms by stuffing towels or rags in cracks under doors and covering windows at night. Maintaining the facility heating system will help prevent heating system failures in such events.

Transit Vehicles:

• Stay with the vehicle.
• At night turn on vehicle interior lights so crews or rescuers can
  locate you.
• If stranded in a remote, rural area, spread a large cloth over the
  snow to attract attention of rescue personnel.
• Bus and Van: If you need to pull off the roadway, set your hazard lights to flash and remain in vehicle.
• Bus and Van: Run the engine and heater about ten minutes each hour to keepwarm. While the engine is running, slightly open a window and keep
  the exhaust pipe free of snow to minimize carbon monoxide risk. Be careful not to run vehicle battery down.
• Rail: Utilize de-icing equipment. Keep third rail and switches ice-free.
• Rail: Check flange-ways at grade crossings or in-street running for snow
  and ice buildup.