The New Hampshire Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is encouraging state residents and visitors to take precautions in advance of a major winter storm that is expected to strike New England beginning tomorrow.

“There is still uncertainty about the exact track of this storm, but it seems certain that New Hampshire will experience heavy snowfalls, especially in southern areas,” said Perry E. Plummer, Acting Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. “We may also see high wind gusts that could cause scattered power outages.”

Plummer said road travel was likely to be the greatest hazard from this storm.

In advance of the storm, Plummer urged people to stock up on emergency supplies and take the following precautions:

• Monitor weather conditions via news media, NOAA weather radio, or Internet sources.
• Limit road travel during the storm to allow public works crews to clear and treat the roads.
• Anyone who has to drive should slow down and allow extra space between vehicles. Drivers could experience sudden whiteout conditions during high wind gusts.
• Keep vehicle fuel tanks at least half full.
• Monitor snow loading, especially on flat roofs.
• Be a good neighbor and check on the well-being of relatives and acquaintances, especially the elderly or others with special needs.

If the power goes out:

• Use flashlights and battery-powered lanterns, not candles, for emergency lighting.
• Operate emergency generators safely, with exhaust directed away from buildings.
• Never use outdoor cooking appliances indoors because of the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Report the outage to your electric utility.
• Stay clear of downed wires. Always assume downed power lines are live.

Plummer said the State Emergency Operations Center in Concord will be staffed as needed during the storm.