That was a humdinger!

Snow

While El Nino whips up record setting storms for the California and the Gulf Coast, Maryland faces a different kind of hazard this winter — heavy snow – with what meteorologist Dan Hoffman calls some humdinger–type storms possible.

We began to have our doubts, but now we can say: You were right Mr. Hoffman!

The same scenario – El Nino and a southward dipping cold-air jet stream – remains in place and more humdingers could be on the way. Regardless of the severity of a winter storm, there are some things you should do in order to remain safe during these events. Are you prepared?

First of all, here are some National Weather Service terms you should know:

Winter Storm Outlook – Winter storm conditions are possible in the next 2 to 5 days.

Winter Weather Advisory – Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. When caution is used, these situations should not be life threatening.

Winter Storm Watch – Winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. People in a watch area should review their winter storm plans and stay informed about weather conditions.

Winter Storm Warning – Life-threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours. People in a warning area should take precautions immediately.

What should you do?

Here is what the American Red Cross advises for your winter storm emergency kit.

  • Water—at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day
  • Food—at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
  • Flashlight
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)  Extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc.)
  • Multi-purpose tool
  • Sanitation and personal hygiene items
  • Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
  • Cell phone with chargers
  • Family and emergency contact information
  • Extra cash
  • Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
  • Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
  • Tools/supplies for securing your home
  • Sand, rock salt or non-clumping kitty litter to make walkways and steps less slippery
  • Warm coats, gloves or mittens, hats, boots and extra blankets and warm clothing for all household members
  • Ample alternate heating methods such as fireplaces or wood- or coal-burning stoves

Don’t wait until for a warning broadcast to gather these items. Get them now and have them on hand, especially water and non-perishable foods

And if you heat your home with oil, it’s important that you have an adequate supply of home heating oil in your tank. This chart will give you an estimate of how long your heating oil supply will last.

If you are on Tevis Automatic Heating Oil Delivery, you don’t need to worry about your fuel level. We know how much heating oil you have in your tank, based on your usage history. And whenever a Winter Storm Outlook is issued, we look ahead at all of the pending deliveries in our system. Those heating oil deliveries that might be impacted by a storm will be made earlier than originally scheduled. In other words, Tevis has your back! Please note, if your household habits have caused you to use more or less heating oil, it’s very important to let us know, especially if it causes your usage to increase!

 If a winter storm is on the way and you are on Tevis Will Call Heating Oil Delivery, it is important that you call for heating oil delivery as soon as possible! Although we typically deliver to Will Call within 1 or 2 business days, winter storms can lengthen that timeframe. Especially the “humdingers”! Will Call heating oil customers are important to us, and Tevis will do everything in our power to make your will call heating oil delivery!

Then there’s the aftermath of a winter storm (oh, is there ever!!) When you dig out please be sure that your driveway is cleared at least 10 feet to accommodate our trucks. Additionally, we ask that a footpath be cleared to your fill location and that the fill pipe be marked as necessary. It doesn’t need to be fancy or perfect, just something that allows our driver to safely make their way to and find the heating oil fill pipe.

Whether it’s a humdinger snow storm or just plain cold weather, you can rest assured that Tevis Energy is here for you!  Tevis Energy is always working to make sure our customers receive the best home oil delivery service at competitive heating oil prices in the area.

Locally-owned and always competitively priced, Tevis Energy is the company thousands of homeowners TRUST for their home heating oil delivery in Baltimore County MD, Carroll County MD, Howard County MD, as well as Adams County PA and York County PA.

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