At least 85 deaths reported as bitter cold grips South in wake of winter storm

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Source: ABC News

The death toll continues to rise as brutal cold grips parts of the South in the wake of a massive winter storm.

From Texas to Tennessee, emergency crews were still working to restore power -- as a potential nor-easter threatens the Southeast with another arctic blast and blizzard conditions.

At least 85 people have died in multiple states, according to The Associated Press.

The weather-related fatalities have been due to hypothermia, suspected carbon monoxide poisoning and accidents involving cars, sleds and snowplows, among other causes.

Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/least-85-deaths-reported-bitter-011842835.html

[BeyondGeography]

1. Pretty appalling

(Imagining the screams about Biden if this happened on his watch.)

[GreatGazoo]

2. Breaks my heart

As a former Red Cross employee and someone who did training films for ski resorts I think we need to do a better job of informing people about hypothermia. I worked for a ski resort that mostly got skiers from LA and San Diego and the ones who were new to snow and cold would try things that don't work as far as keeping warm. Many simply did not have the right clothing. Even people from cold climates could under estimate the impact of being exposed to low temperatures for 3+ hours via skiing or other activities.

Here are 5 things people commonly do not know about hypothermia, frost bite and snow fall:

1. Alcohol will not actually "warm you up". It can increase confusion. Can make you not pursue adequate warmth. Can hide signs of escalating hypothermia.

2. If you are going to use your car for warmth you have to make sure the tailpipe is not obstructed and does not become obstructed while the engine is running. You have to make sure you are not trapping other sources of carbon monoxide such by burning candles with the windows closed.

3. Handling any metal objects such as tools while working outdoors in subfreezing temperatures is the most common source of frost bite. The metal leeches warmth out of your hands quickly and relentlessly. Best practices include prewarming the tools and keeping them warm when not in your hand. This can be done by storing them in a heated vehicle or inside your house, possibly on the forced heat radiators. Also by using the thickest gloves you can wear without overly impeding grip and dexterity.

Metal zippers on clothing should be blocked from skin contact or avoided in favor of plastic ones. Be aware of metal jewelry, especially earrings.

4. Your feet, equal to your hands, are a common site for frost bite. They can go numb easily and you can be less aware of that than when it happens with your hands. Prolonged contact with ice or snow leeches the warmth out of footware. Choose boots with rubber souls. Avoid steel toes such as those found in work boots and some cowboy boots. Use wool socks or thick socks but avoid restricting blood flow in any way. IOW if the socks are too thick for your footware (thicker than what you normally wear) you may be trading insulation for blood flow and wind up worse off. Loosen your laces.

Depending on where you will be, you can bring or grab something to stand on. For example if you need to stand in line outdoors you may be able to bring or find cardboard on site such a knocked down shipping box. Even a towel or rags under your shoes can make a difference by creating a bit of air space than limits the transfer of heat from your feet to the snow or ice.

5. Water leeches your body heat very quickly. You can cramp. Lose control of muscles and then spiral down from there.

6. Never assume iced over ponds are safe to walk across.