Rapid Freeze In Fairfax County: Tips To Stay Warm, Prevent Hypothermia

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — As an Arctic cold front causes temperatures to rapidly drop Friday, Fairfax County shared tips to stay safe during the frigid weather.

Plummeting temperatures combined with windy conditions combine to create a chilling weather outlook. A wind chill advisory will be in effect from 4 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday in Fairfax County. Wind chills as low as 10 degrees below 0 are expected by the National Weather Service.

Temperatures are below freezing as of early Friday afternoon and will be 20 degrees or lower by the late afternoon. Wind chills will be at or below 0 by sunset.

County government encourages residents to be prepared for icy conditions on roads, sidewalks and driveways due to the dropping temperatures. Residents are also encouraged to check on elderly neighbors and take steps to protect pets.

If power outages occur, Dominion Energy customers should contact 1-866-366-4357, and Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative customers should contact 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500.

For those that have to be outside, appropriate attire for the extreme cold is recommended. That includes multiple layers of clothes, an outer layer to keep out the wind, warm hat, face mask, gloves and waterproof boots. Residents are encouraged to limit time outdoors, as prolonged exposure to extreme cold can cause hypothermia or frostbite.

Hypothermia is when the body is losing heat more than it can produce heat to stay warm. Early symptoms are shivering, fatigue, loss of coordination, confusion and disorientation. Later symptoms include blue skin, dilated pupils, slow pulse and breathing and loss of consciousness.

If you believe someone is experiencing hypothermia, call for medical assistance and move them to a warm room or shelter, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Wet clothing should be removed, then the center of their body should be warmed first with an electric blanket or skin contact under loose, dry blankets, clothing or towels. If the person, is conscious, warm non-alcoholic drinks can increase the body temperature. If the person has no pulse, CPR is recommended.

Frostbite involves freezing on the body and most commonly affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers or toes. Symptoms include reduced blood flow to the hands and feet, numbness, aching, tingling or stinging, and bluish or pale, waxy skin. A person experiencing frostbite should be moved to a warm room. Warm, not hot, water should be used on the impacted area.

For unsheltered people out in the cold, Fairfax County has a hypothermia prevention program providing guaranteed shelter. The program, which runs from Dec. 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, provides warm shelter, food and other services to adults in immediate need of shelter.

If you see an unsheltered person who may be at risk of hypothermia, call the non-emergency police phone number at 703-691-2131, and a police officer will do a welfare check. If a person appears to be in distress, call 911.

Residents can find more information from Fairfax County on winter weather preparedness, preparing an emergency kit and more.