This is a very busy time for everyone and we all hope to enjoy the holidays with our family and friends. Unfortunately, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm and Wind Chill Warning for Cuyahoga County beginning this evening through the weekend. The major threat from this weather event will be high winds and low wind chill temperatures as low as -30 degrees. A flash freeze will also likely occur Friday morning. Very strong winds are expected with this event, so please secure loose outdoor items like toys, lawn furniture, trash cans, garden decorations and small potted plants by moving them to a shed or garage.

Cuyahoga County Office of Emergency Management recommends the following to stay safe against the impending winter weather:

  • Limit the amount of time spent outdoors.
  • Dress appropriately, making sure to cover all exposed skin.
  • Be especially careful when operating portable heaters.
  • Check on neighbors, friends, and family members who may be especially vulnerable to the cold temperatures due to illness, age, or other conditions.
  • If it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pets, so keep your animals inside.
  • Watch for signs of frostbite. These include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ears and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are present, get medical help immediately.
  • Watch for signs of hypothermia. These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. Get medical help as soon as possible.

For more detailed information click here.

FirstEnergy is also preparing for the winter storm. In addition to having around-the-clock, all-hands-on-deck coverage during severe weather, FirstEnergy’s utilities in Ohio – including the Illuminating Company – have additional resources on standby to assist their line crews with any potential outages that might occur. For this particular storm, they are most concerned with the potential for sustained, high winds. If you experience an outage, please contact FirstEnergy at 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) or click here.

There are also ways for residents to be prepared in case of a power outage:

  • Consider keeping an emergency kit handy with items such as a flashlight, first-aid kit, extra batteries, bottled water, cell phone and car charger and a battery-powered radio.
  • Turn off or unplug sensitive electrical devices to safeguard them from power surges that may occur during the restoration process. Leave an incandescent light on so you know when the power comes back.
  • NEVER OPERATE A GENERATOR INSIDE YOUR HOME. Exhaust from backup generators contain a high level of carbon monoxide (CO) gas, which can be dangerous or even fatal if inhaled.
  • Do not use candles around pets or small children and never leave burning candles unattended.

View FirstEnergy’s tips for managing through a power outage.

Orange Village crews are also preparing for the storm. Please note that with the expected low temperatures the deicing materials will not be as effective, so please drive carefully. The Service Department will be working diligently to maintain our roads. In order to make their job easier, please “don’t crowd the plow”.

Please note that if snow exceeds two inches, a parking ban will be in effect. 

This law enables the service department to clear snow from the streets allowing everyone including emergency vehicles the ability to move through the Village safely. This ban remains in effect for 24 hours or until the end of the snow event and the streets have been cleared.

I would like to wish everyone a very safe and happy holiday.

Sincerely,
Kathy
Kathy U. Mulcahy, Mayor