A Winter Storm is expected to impact parts of western Iowa Wednesday night and Thursday, with a Winter Storm Watch currently in effect for Monona and Harrison Counties in the KJAN listening area. The storm track is still being determined. Here in Atlantic, we expect to start out with rain Wednesday night, which will change to snow early Thursday morning. Winter storms and cold temperatures can be hazardous. The Healthy Cass County Emergency Preparedness Sub-Committee suggest you and your family stay safe by planning ahead and preparing your vehicles. When traveling, be aware of current and forecast weather conditions. It is best to avoid traveling when weather advisories are issued. Here are some additional tips:

Prepare Your Car this Winter: Service the radiator and maintain antifreeze level; Check tire tread or, if necessary, replace tires with all-weather or snow tires; Keep gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. And, use a wintertime formula in your windshield washer.

Prepare a winter emergency kit to keep in your car in case you become stranded.

That includes: A cell phone, portable charger, and extra batteries; blankets; food and water; booster cables, flares, tire pump, and a bag of sand or cat litter (for traction); compass and maps; flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries; and first-aid kit.

One goal of the Healthy Cass County Health Improvement Plan is to increase knowledge of Cass County residents of how to respond in a Public Emergency. One of the best ways to keep current on any local alerts is registering your cell phone or email address with the WEN system. WEN stands for “Wireless Emergency Network” and is a tool our county utilizes for mass communication of emergent situations. The WEN system offers more efficient and timely notifications to area residents, improves safety, and keeps the public informed of emergencies and how to take action. Not only is it important to enroll yourself in the system but also remember to enroll your children’s cellular phones and older adults you care for as well.

You can sign up for this FREE service by visiting the Cass County Emergency Management page located at: http://www.atlanticiowa.com/county/county-departments/emergency-management/ or call Mike Kennon, Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator, at 712-243-1500 for assistance. Be sure to visit CDC’s Winter Weather webpage for more winter weather safety tips.