Studer Community Institute

A few more cold nights on tap

November 17, 2014
/ Ron Stallcup
/ community-dashboard

The National Weather Service in Mobile is forecasting a few more cold nights before the gradual warming by the weekend. Possible record setting lows could happen Monday night into Tuesday morning. The record low of 27 degrees in the Pensacola area was set in 1951. The forecast is for 28 degrees. Tuesday night into Wednesday morning is forecast to be the coldest this Fall season. Arctic air continues to flow in the region. The record low temp for Wednesday was set in 1903 at 28 degrees and the forecast is for 27 degrees. [sidebar] In Santa Rosa County, a cold weather shelter for the homeless or heatless will open Monday and Tuesday nights at Ferris Hill Baptist Church located at 6848 Chaffin St., Milton. Those who would like to stay at the shelter must arrive between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. No one will be admitted after 8:30 p.m. unless brought in by law enforcement. The shelter will close at 7 a.m. each morning. The county's cold weather shelters are operated by local churches utilizing volunteer resources and donations. They open each night when weather is forecasted to drop below 40 degrees, typically December through March. The shelters are for people who are homeless or cannot maintain heat in their home, can care for themselves, and are not at risk to themselves or others. No one will be admitted to the shelter if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, are unable to walk unaided or are disoriented. [/sidebar] What does the rest of the week look like? Temperatures will moderate slightly for wednesday, but still be below normal. Dry conditions continue through Thursday. Friday may see a chance of rain. Temps will be in the high 60s, low 70s for the weekend. Here are some tips from Gulf Power http://www.gulfpower.com/residential/earthcents/energy-saving-tips.cshtml — Use an electric blanket at night. An electric blanket is more economical than heating the entire house all night long. — Keep cold wind outside by closing garage doors. — If you use portable electric heaters, use them only in small areas. Buy models that are thermostatically controlled. — Leave draperies open on sunny days so your house will absorb the sun's heat. Close them on the shaded side of the house and at night. Here are some tips from Escambia County Emergency Management http://myescambia.com/beready/extreme-cold Pets — Do not leave pets out in the cold. Bring all pets indoors and make sure they have a warm blanket to lie on, as well as plenty of food and water. Bring into a garage, taking care to make sure toxins, such as antifreeze and bleach, are out of their reach. Plants — Water your plants thoroughly. The water will act as an insulator. Dry plants are more susceptible to freezing. After watering, cover plants with a breathable material, such as fabric not plastic. Place mulch at the base of your plants and do not prune prior to a freeze. Pruning encourages soft growth, which is susceptible to freezing. Spraying the leaves of plants with liquid seaweed will also toughen them against cold. Fire Safety Make sure that all-combustible materials such as drapes or chairs are at least three feet away from any heating unit. Avoid using flammable liquids to start fireplaces and do not leave a fireplace unattended. Most importantly, check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly. Pipes (from Emerald Coast Utilities Authority) Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas: Pipes located in areas of your house such as a garage or crawl space under the house or in the attic, are subject to freezing. Wrap these pipes with insulation materials that may be found in most hardware stores or home improvement centers. Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses: Detach all hoses from faucets and allow them to drain. This action guards against the water in the hose or pipe from freezing and bursting the faucet or pipe to which it is connected. Run a trickle of water: When forecasts call for sustained and / or severe freezing temperatures, run a thin trickle of water from the faucet furthest from the water line coming to your house. Usually this is in a room at the back of the house or outside in the yard. Allowing the water to circulate through your home’s plumbing helps to keep it from freezing. Remember the backflow preventer: If you have backflow preventers on their properties for water lines, fire lines, irrigation systems, and swimming pools need to protect their backflow preventers from freeze as well.

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A few more cold nights on tap

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