With an arctic front expected to drop temperatures to near-record lows tonight and tomorrow, residents are being urged to use caution and practice safety as Wilmington prepares for unusually frigid weather.
The Wilmington office of the National Weather Service warns of near-record lows expected tonight, with wind chill temperatures reaching the single digits.
Record cold temperatures are expected for some areas all day Tuesday, with lows remaining in the teens Tuesday night. The high for Tuesday is forecast at 32 degrees.
The temperature change is a significant drop from Monday morning, when the high reached 67 degrees as a band of showers passed through the area. In light of that drop, several agencies are advising the public to take precautions to ensure safety and protect property.
The Eastern NC Region of the American Red Cross notes home heating is a leading cause of house fires. The chapter advises keeping flammable items at least three feet away from space heaters and any other surface that gets hot. Portable heaters should also be turned off when leaving a room or going to sleep.
Smoke detector safety checks are also advised, and residents are advised to wear layers of lightweight clothing to help stay warm. Pets and plants should be brought indoors, and thermostats should be kept at consistent temperatures.
Fire risks are also increased outdoors, as the National Weather Service notes minimum relative humidity values will reach critical thresholds Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority also advises tips to prevent water pipes from freezing. Allowing faucets to drip cold water is advised, as is opening cabinets to allow warm air to reach circulate. Water does not need to trickle out of faucets, according to a notice from the CFPUA.
Other tips are also advised, including closing doors and windows tightly, insulating pipes in unheated areas, shutting off and draining pipes that lead to outside faucets, and closing the inside valves and draining pipes leading to outside hose bib or faucet.
Should a frozen pipe be suspected, the CFPUA advises identifying the problem area, circulating air, using a hair dryer or a portable heater on a low setting to thaw a pipe, as well as wrapping towels soaked in warm water around the frozen pipe. More tips and additional information are available here.
Updated forecasts and other weather info can be found on the National Weather Service website, accessible via Port City Daily by clicking the “Weather” tab at the top of each page.
See related story: Cold weather to cause delays for Brunswick County students
