How to prepare for Snowstorm Landon

Another winter, another big snowstorm is anticipated for Bowling Green, Ohio. But the one that is being forecasted? Historic.

Meteorologists from The Weather Channel for the past few days have been monitoring a snowstorm called “Landon,” a storm expected to impact as far west as the Rockies, all the way to the Northeast. The expected downfalls of snow are going to range from approximately six to 18 inches across the entire snowstorm path.

So the question is: who is going to get the most? Who else but Northwest Ohio and Bowling Green.

With any major snowstorm or blizzard, people can expect high snowfall numbers, dangerous road conditions, restricted visibility and freezing cold temperatures.

However, local meteorologists are showing great concern for this particular storm, as some are saying they have never seen a forecasted storm quite like “Landon”, in a long time.

So now that students and residents of Bowling Green and BGSU can expect a dangerous snowstorm, how should they prepare themselves, and what is BGSU doing to prepare themselves?

Student Precautions

Food

During times when people have to hunker down and stay inside from the bad weather, it is important to make sure that you have access to food, specifically, non-perishable items.

CNN wrote an article stating that for people expected to be indoors and unable to safely travel for a few days, it is important to have food items in stock such as,

High protein/non-perishable food items: (protein bars, dry cereal, granola, peanut butter)
Canned goods: (soups, fruit, juices)
Bottled Water (three days worth at minimum)

Having an emergency stock of long-lasting food items on hand during periods of bad winter weather is essential, so make sure to go out and buy some of these items at your local grocery.

Car Care

When Mother Nature rears its ugly head during the winter, people must make sure that their vehicles are well-cared for.

On the Center of Disease Control’s official website, some of the tips they provide to protect your vehicle from suffering from the winter weather are to,

Make sure the tires on your car have adequate tread and air pressure.
Replace any worn tires and fill low tires with air to the proper pressure recommended for your car (typically between 30-35 psi).
Keep the gas tank near full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
Keep your car in good working order. Be sure to check the following: heater, defroster, brakes, brake fluid, ignition, emergency flashers, exhaust, oil, and battery.

The website also recommends that during times of dangerous winter weather, avoid as much non-essential travel as possible. Staying off the roads allows snow ploughs and emergency personnel vehicles to clear the roads and help those in need.

Personal Care/Technology

Another aspect that people should take into consideration during periods of bad weather, is the potential for homes/residence halls to temporarily lose power. With loss of power comes the loss of heat, inability to charge electronics, and loss of internet.

In order to best prepare for these possibilities, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has a document on their website that lists some important reminders for how to prepare for the worst outcomes. Some of their recommendations include,

Keep dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head and neck to protect against Hypothermia
Limit your time outside.
Pay attention to weather reports and warnings of freezing weather and winter storms.

Staying indoors, having access to blankets and warm clothes, and monitoring temperatures will give you the best possible protection against health risks such as hypothermia, frostbite and cardiovascular-related conditions. If shoveling snow, make sure to give yourself plenty of breaks to warm up and avoid overexertion.

Following these guidelines, regularly checking your local weather forecasts, and being patient will be the best way to ensure that you and your loved ones will remain safe during this upcoming snowstorm.

BGSU’s Plan

For students living on campus here at BGSU, many are wondering what will BGSU do to make sure students are well-cared for and communicated to during the event of school cancellations and shutdowns.

According to BGSU’s official Emergency Cancellation, Delay, and Closing Policy, in the event of class cancellations, the decision will also include “remote classes, online learning and/or the cancellation of student-related activities.” The policy also states that the university will deem critical service employees (dining facilities, snow removal, maintenance, etc.) to “report to or remain at work during campus closure periods,” once a list of employees is finalized.

The question now is: what are some of the critical services’ specific plans during the periods of campus closures?

Dining Services

One of the top priorities that BGSU is planning to face during the next few days is making sure that students are fed and informed about dining facility hours. However, this may prove to be easier said than done.

BGSU Dining’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Jon Zachrich said that students who are concerned about operating hours in the event of school cancellations can check their emails for updates from Dining services, follow BGSU Dining on social media and visit their website.

Staffing for the available dining facilities will be limited due to potentially dangerous road conditions and increased hesitancy to travel. Student staffing will be mostly available, but a list of employees will be decided upon by the night of Feb. 1.

In terms of the Starship robots, snow-filled sidewalks and roads will prove to be too difficult for the robots. This will be leaving out a potential method to get food, while also increasing the necessity for students to buy food before the storm arrives, in the event of major road issues and restaurant closures across the city of Bowling Green.

Maintenance

According to the Campus Operations page on BGSU’s website, BGSU utilises a heating plant that provides steam and heating capabilities via three boilers.

The Heat Plant is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and typically a single boiler is sufficient for campus needs. However, in the event of temperature drops and snowstorms, “the second boiler may be run as well. The third boiler remains on standby.”

During times of extreme low temperatures and/or large amounts of snowfall, students living or working in the older buildings on campus such as Kohl Hall and McDonald Hall are at the highest risk for potential issues. However, the buildings are routinely examined for issues and are maintained for the best quality of living possible.

If a student living on campus has an issue, or a building as a whole has an issue as well, students are able to contact the Campus Operations help desk at [email protected], or at 419-372-2251.

Snow Removal

BGSU collaborates directly with the city of Bowling Green and the Wood County Sheriff’s Office for information about snow removal policies and safety transportation protocols.

On the Wood County Sheriff’s Office’s official website, under Ohio Revised Code Section 311.07, the sheriff’s office has authority to “declare a “snow emergency” and temporarily close any township, municipal, county, U.S. interstates or state roads within his jurisd

The three emergency level classification breakdowns are as follows:

Level 1: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be icy. Motorists are urged to drive very cautiously.

Level 2: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be very Icy. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roads. Contact your employer to see if you should report to work. Motorists should use extreme caution.

Level 3: All roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be driving during these conditions unless it is absolutely necessary to travel or a personal emergency exists. All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work. Those traveling on the roads may subject themselves to arrest.

With the projections in the Bowling Green region of upwards of 12-18 inches of snow and nearly a quarter of an inch of ice, students should expect an announcement of at least a Level 2 emergency. It is important regardless to avoid as much non-essential travel as possible and to stay indoors.

For more information about the upcoming storm and the responses from local authorities, visit the attached links throughout the article and all related social media platforms. In the event of an emergency, make sure to dial 911 for response from emergency crews.

For students specifically, make sure to check your BGSU emails for information on school closings and more information. However, based on the BGSU cancellation policy, “Students, employees, guests and visitors should assume the University is open unless they have received official communication from the University.”