Fresh snow and clear skies combining with a cold air mass are helping to produce these bone-chilling temperatures, meaning it will be cold for the foreseeable future.
And boy, is it cold.
MORE: Last time it was this cold, Dayton threw an epic winter carnival
“Yea, though I walk through the valley…” Dayton resident Stephen Port tweeted early Tuesday with a picture of his cell phone’s thermometer showing a “feels like” temperature of minus 22.
Storm Center 7 Meteorologist Kirstie Zontini predicted another cold morning today with temperatures on either side of zero. Wind chill values could range from 5 below to 15 below zero as clouds increase through the day. Highs will reach about 20 degrees with a few snow showers or flurries possible toward the late afternoon or early evening. On Thursday, temperatures could start in the single digits with broken clouds through the day as highs peak around 13 degrees, before heading back below zero by Friday morning.
Miami Valley Hospital doctors said Monday they had treated a few patients for minor cold-related injuries. Emily Maupin, an emergency medicine physician, said the hospital saw some very minor frostbite injuries last week and prepared to see some fall-related injuries as black ice emerged. Maupin reminded, “Nobody is immune to the cold.”
The Ohio Department of Aging asked agencies and residents to make sure elderly persons are safe during the cold snap. Beverley Laubert, the agency’s interim director, said it is important to make sure older residents are safe from the bitter cold and have heat working properly in their homes.
“Older adults are at increased risk for complications from conditions including snow, ice, bitter cold and more. Factors like age-related changes and medication side effects can intensify the impact,” Laubert said. “Extremely cold temperatures equal severe weather, and we ask all Ohioans to check on older loved ones, neighbors and friends during this and other severe weather.”
MORE: Lose power in the cold? Here’s what to do
An employee with the Montgomery County Coroner said Tuesday the office did not yet know if any reported deaths over the holiday weekend were related to the cold.
The cold weather stressed some utilities Tuesday. More than 2,800 Dayton Power & Light customers in Montgomery County were without power early in the morning. In Harrison Twp., about 40 residents were without heat after water main breaks forced Vectren to shut off gas services.
City of Dayton spokeswoman Toni Bankston said as of noon Tuesday she knew of four water main breaks that morning, and said the city dealt with another three over the holiday weekend.
Just as county and municipal water crews kept busy over the weekend, so did Animal Resource Center personnel, said Cathy Peterson, the Montgomery County spokeswoman.
“They’re going on a lot of welfare calls for animals that they see out in the cold,” Peterson said.
On New Year’s Day, a Dayton police officer was sent to the 400 block of Delaware Avenue to check on a report of abandoned dogs and fired 10 rounds when one of the two dogs charged him, according to a police report. An animal control officer arrived and retrieved both animals for treatment. An anonymous tipster into police told emergency dispatchers the residents had moved to Columbus and left the dogs outdoors.
Staff Writers Drew Simon, Mike Campbell and Wayne Baker contributed reporting.
DURING A POWER OUTAGE:
• All supplemental sources of heat and portable generators must have proper ventilation. Never place a generator in your garage or near a window, where fumes could enter the home.
• Gas and wood-burning fireplaces both emit carbon monoxide. Make sure you have a functioning carbon monoxide detector in your home to detect the odorless gas. Use caution when burning anything in your home.
• Turn off all heat producing appliances, like the stove, if you experience an outage, in case you are not home when power is restored.
• For outdoor pets, add straw or bedding to provide insulation and during extreme cold, bring pets inside or into a garage or outbuilding.
• If your home loses power for more than a few hours or you have inadequate supplies to stay warm overnight contact your local shelter. You can text SHELTER and your ZIP CODE to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter.
BEFORE A POWER OUTAGE:
• Create an emergency storm kit, with an emergency radio, water, non-perishable food, flashlights and a first aid kit.
• Make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors.
Source: Dayton Power & Light, Ready.gov
FROSTBITE PROTECTION
Protect yourself from frostbite:
• Dress in loose, light, comfortable layers
• Protect feet, toes, head and hands
• Ensure snow doesn’t get inside boots or clothing
• Keep hydrated
• Recognize symptoms of frostbite, which include redness and a stinging, burning, throbbing or prickling sensation followed by numbness.
Source: The American Academy of Dermatology
CHECK ON YOUR NEIGHBORS
Before, during and after severe winter conditions, check in on older loved ones, friends and neighbors to ensure that they are okay and have the resources they need to remain safe and healthy.
• Do they need medical attention? Have they fallen? Are they staying warm enough? Are they taking their medicines as prescribed?
• Do they have safe food and water? Are they eating and drinking regularly?
• Is the temperature in their home comfortable? Do they have safe means to heat the home if temperatures continue to fall?
• Do they have access to a phone that will work without power or landline service?
Be aware that confusion, disorientation and irritability can be symptoms of conditions such as dehydration, stress and fatigue. If someone appears ill or is injured, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Source: The Ohio Dept. of Aging.
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