Next week's forecast for Gulf Shores and the surrounding area makes one shiver just reading the temperatures. This next Tuesday could bring temps 10 degrees below freezing! Throw in the anticipated wind speed of 15 MPH and it could make you rush to Amazon to order a new coat.

The National Weather Service is calling for a rainy day on Tuesday, January 16th. That afternoon and evening is when the dangerous conditions arrive. After the day's rain the temperatures drops to an estimated 21° F and a fairly strong cold wind be blowing.

For many homes in the coastal region of Alabama this creates havoc for pipes, boats and elevated homes. The area has gone through similar situations in the past but the rain, wind and freezing temps are not typically combined. In case you have forgotten those past freezes, here are a few tips to remember:

How to prepare ahead of storm, freeze: Remember the 4 P's

Pipes: 

• Locate the home’s master water valve. If a pipe does break, this is the valve to use to turn off the water to the home.
• Prevent drafts in unheated areas, like crawl spaces and basements, by replacing broken glass or making other home repairs.
• Wrap pipes with insulation material or heat tape.
• Wrap indoor water meters with a blanket.
• For interior plumbing located on an outside wall (such as a kitchen sink) install heat tape to the pipes beneath the sink. Open cabinet doors to allow warm air to reach the pipes if there are no small children in the home.
• When temperatures linger near freezing, you can run a thin stream of water continuously from at least one tap in the home. Plumbers recommends the tap that runs be the one that’s farthest from the meter. The additional water cost is cheaper than the cost to repair ruptured pipes.
• If you locate the frozen area of a pipe, you can open the spigot and use a hand-held hair dryers or heat tape to thaw the area. If this does not resolve the issue, contact a licensed plumber.

People:

• You will want to make sure you have transportation in case you also have a power outage or need to travel for an emergency. Drivers should make sure their vehicles are properly fueled in advance of the storm to prevent a low-fuel scenario while out driving. Alongside filling up your gas tank, it’s strongly recommended to add air to your tires to prevent low tire pressure or, even worse, a flat tire.
• In the event of a power outage or any sudden changes in road conditions, residents are encouraged to keep several days’ worth of non-perishable food for each person in their homes. Similarly, experts at the Red Cross advise people to have on hand at least one gallon of drinking water per person per day.
• Keep some emergency items on hand that are also useful when you have tropical weather: Flashlights with extra batteries, Backup and portable chargers, Portable radio, First aid kit, Prescription medications, Matches in a sealed plastic bag, Candles in fireproof holders, Non-electric can opener, Hand sanitizer, wet wipes and Cash.
• If you need to leave your home, the Red Cross said people should make sure their nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes are fully covered in warm and dry clothing

Pets:

• Taking care of the furry and feathered friends must be remembered. Have food and water stored in case a pipe breaks.
• Think about how and where they will rest inside the home.

Plants:

• Most plants can recover from a quick blast of cold weather. However, if you wish to protect some of your fragile ones you may want to consider bringing them indoors, or providing protective covering if moving that is not an option.

We hope you stay warm during the cold blast and get you accurate weather from THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE!