The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.
The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.
Closures & Cancellations

Tuesday, Jan. 29
 Divine Mercy, RCIA class canceled
Library closing 5 p.m.
Paulding Schools: All junior high and high school athletic practices and games canceled tonight
Wayne Trace: boys bb game with Continental postponed

Wednesday, Jan. 30
 Courthouse closed
Library closed
County Court closed
WIC office closed
Divine Mercy, all parish activities canceled
Caring and Sharing Food pantry closed
Trash pickup in Paulding will be delayed
Kohart's closed
Paulding Exempted Village Schools closed
Haviland Drainage Products closed
Paulding County Health Dept. closed
Past Time Café
Paulding County OSU Extension Office closed
Paulding Progress office closed
Fessel Jewelers closed

Thursday, Jan. 31
 Courthouse closed
Library closed
Paulding County Health Dept. closed
Hands of Hope Paulding Pregnancy Services
Paulding County OSU Extension Office closed
By MELINDA KRICK

Progress Editor

Paulding County currently is under a wind chill warning until 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31. The warning, which started 1 p.m. Tuesday, means very cold air and strong winds combine to create wind chills as low as 45° below zero.

Several county offices, businesses and other locations have announced they will be closed Wednesday and some events have been canceled. (See list.)

“What we’re looking at is sometime late [Tuesday] afternoon, all the way through till Thursday night, we are not going to see the thermometer above zero. That’s 60-plus hours of temperatures below zero” said Ed Bohn, director of the Paulding County Emergency Management Agency (EMA). “The coldest will be Wednesday morning at -45°. That’s the lowest they are predicting.”

Bohn added, “The concerns with those temps is if you’re not properly covered, you can receive frostbite in as little as 10 minutes.”

Extreme cold temperatures are a big danger during winter months. Prolonged exposure to the cold can cause frostbite, hypothermia, or in extreme cases, death. In fact, excessive cold is one of the leading weather-related causes of death across the country.

Infants and the elderly are most susceptible to extreme cold.

Frostbite occurs when the skin becomes cold enough to actually freeze. A loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the nose are symptoms of frostbite.

Hypothermia (Low Body Temperature) can occur during long periods of exposure when the body temperature drops below 95°. A person will become disoriented, confused, and shiver uncontrollably, eventually leading to drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. In severe cases, death is possible.

Outside, dress in layers and limit exposure, Bohn said.

Bohn said residents should take the weather conditions seriously.

“This is not just our typical cold snap. These temps haven’t been seen since the 1990s. This will be one of the longest timeframes we’ve seen – usually the cold will last 24 hours or so, but we will have minus-zero temps for over 60 hours.”

If power goes out, contact the EMA office at 419-399-3500 and they will find warm shelter. Bohn has a plan in place to implement if needed in case power is interrupted.

Freezing temperatures also cause damage to crops and property.

One of the biggest concerns is how extreme cold can impact homes and vehicles.

Don’t forget to care for pets, especially those kept outside or in unheated garages or outbuildings.

If not properly insulated, a home’s water lines can freeze. It is strongly recommended that homeowners have a steady stream of water running from faucets during a cold spell to reduce the potential that plumbing can freeze.

Bohn advises anyone using auxiliary heating sources be extremely cautious due to fire risk.

Space heaters should be placed in the middle of the room with at least 3 feet of clearance all the way around, not against or close to curtains, upholstery or anything that can catch fire.

Make sure heaters are plugged into an outlet that is not overloaded and is rated for the amperage the heater needs.

If a heater is plugged into an extension cord, make sure it is properly rated for that use. An extension cord can short out and catch fire.

Bohn recommends that vehicle gas tanks are completely full – if you have less than half a tank, it increases the risk of fuel line freeze-up, which can occur while you’re on the road.

Make sure your battery is fairly new; if not, that you have means of jumpstarting them if need to in the morning.

“If you’re driving, have an emergency kit with blankets, stocking caps, gloves, and necessities if you’re stranded to properly protect yourself,” Bohn said.

Residents should monitor media for weather updates and additional advisories.

The dire cold won’t last, but the respite won’t last, either.

“Temps will go up, then turn around and get cold again,” said Bohn. “That will be the pattern going into second week of February –- no consistent weather whatsoever..”

TIPS FOR SURVIVING THE COLD



• Limit your time outside. If you need to go outside, then wear layers of warm clothing. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

• Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows. Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven.

• Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia and begin treatment right away.

• Check on neighbors. Older adults and young children are more at risk in extreme cold.

 Stay off roads if at all possible. If trapped in your car, then stay inside.

RECOGNIZE FROSTBITE



 Frostbite causes loss of feeling and color around the face, fingers, and toes.

• Signs: Numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, firm or waxy skin



• Actions: Go to a warm room. Soak in warm water. Use body heat to warm. Do not massage or use a heating pad.

RECOGNIZE HYPOTHERMIA



Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature. A temperature below 95° is an emergency.

• Signs: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, or drowsiness

• Actions: Go to a warm room. Warm the center of the body first – chest, neck, head, and groin. Keep dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head and neck.