Health Information Portal (HIP)

Winter Weather, Severe Storms, and Flooding

Extreme weather events, such as extreme cold, winter storms, and floods, pose significant health risks, creating a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heart attacks from overexertion.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cold-Related Illness

How can I prevent frostbite and hypothermia?

Try to stay indoors when the weather is very cold.

Dress warm and stay dry if you must go outside. Bundle up with:

• Hats, scarves, and water-repellent coats
• Mittens instead of gloves (They'll keep your hands warmer.)
• A few layers of loose-fitting clothing
• Water-repellent boots

When going outside in very cold weather, make sure your nose, ears, toes, cheeks, chin, and fingers are covered in warm, dry clothing. These body parts are most often affected by frostbite.

Who is at high risk for serious health problems in very cold weather?

The following groups are at high risk for serious health problems in very cold weather:

• People without adequate heating at home or at work
• Children 
• Older adults
• Unsheltered individuals
• People living with mental illness
• People who drink alcohol or use drugs
• People with medical conditions that affect the body's ability to regulate body temperature
• People who take medications that affect the body's ability to regulate body temperature (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, narcotic pain medications, sedatives, and others)

What are the signs and symptoms of frostbite?

One of the first signs of frostbite is redness or pain in any area.

Other signs and symptoms include a white or grayish-yellow skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.

What are the signs and symptoms of hypothermia?

Signs and symptoms in babies include:

• Bright, red, and cold skin
• Very low energy

Signs and symptoms in adults include:

• Shivering
• Exhaustion
• Confusion
• Fumbling hands
• Memory loss
• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness

How can I help a person who may be experiencing hypothermia or frostbite?

Get medical attention as soon as possible.

• If a person's temperature is below 95 degrees, call 911 immediately.

Get the person into a warm area or room.

Warm them under dry layers of blankets and clothing.

Place areas affected by frostbite in water that is warm-to-the-touch.

Since skin may be numb, be careful when treating frostbite and:

Unless you have to, do not walk on feet or toes with frostbite.

Do not use a fireplace, heat lamp, radiator, or stove for warming.

Do not use a heating pad or electric blanket for warming.

Do not rub or massage areas with frostbite.

How can I stay informed about severe weather in Philadelphia?

Sign up for ReadyPhiladelphia

• Text ReadyPhila to 888-777 to receive text alerts to your phone about emergencies or severe weather.
• Most alerts are available in eleven languages.
• You can sign up to get alerts for up to five addresses in Philly. Consider your home, work, school, or other addresses important to you.

Visit bit.ly/ReadyPhila to select preferences and get other alerts sent to you, like transit and special event alerts, in addition to emergencies and weather alerts.

Frequently Asked Questions about Severe Storms and Flooding

How can I prepare for a flood?

• Keep a battery-operated AM/FM radio tuned to a local station.
• Create an emergency go bag. For more information, visit bit.ly/MakeAGoBag.
• Sign up with ReadyPhiladelphia for free weather alerts by texting READYPHILA to 888-777 or at phila.gov/ready.

How can I stay safe during and after a flood?

• Avoid flood waters. They may contain harmful germs, chemicals, and trash.
• DO NOT drive or walk through flooded roads. Just one foot of rushing water is enough to carry a car away.
• Wash your hands if you touch flood water.
• TURN OFF gas, power, and water if your home floods.
  • If you lose power:
    • Discard food if the refrigerator has been off for more than four hours.
    • Replace medications that need refrigeration.
• If you see fallen power lines or smell gas, call PECO's emergency line at 1-800-841-4141.

How can I prevent mold?

• Mold can cause eye and skin irritation and allergic reactions.
• If you have asthma, mold can trigger asthma attacks.
• To prevent mold:
  • Clean and dry wet surfaces within 24 hours. Discard items that can’t be dried.
  • To dry your home, use fans, air conditioning, or dehumidifiers.

How can I safely clean up after a flood?

• Wear rubber gloves, eye protection, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and an N-95 face mask.
• Open doors and windows.
• You do not need to use bleach. Use a non-ammonia soap or detergent. NEVER mix bleach with ammonia.

For more information on floods and mold, visit bit.ly/FloodSafetyandMoldFree.

Weather-Related Resources

Winter 2026 Newsletter

English (PDF) | Amharic (PDF) | Arabic (PDF) | Chinese (PDF) | Dari (PDF) | French (PDF) | Haitian Creole (PDF) | Indonesian (PDF) | Khmer (PDF) | Polish (PDF) | Portuguese (PDF) | Russian (PDF) | Spanish (PDF) | Swahili (PDF) | Vietnamese (PDF)

Severe Weather Brochure

English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF) | French (PDF) | Chinese (PDF) | Russian (PDF) | Vietnamese (PDF) | Portuguese (PDF) | Khmer (PDF) | Haitian Creole (PDF) | Arabic (PDF) | Amharic (PDF) | Indonesian (PDF) | Ukrainian (PDF) | Swahili (PDF) | Dari (PDF)

Severe Storms/Flooding - Text Messaging Template

English

Utility Interruptions - Text Messaging Template

English