TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — When you wake up Wednesday morning, you could see some frost on the grass.
Tuesday temperatures hovered around the freezing mark with a brisk wind from the NW leading to wind chills in the mid to upper 20's.
Another cool morning is on tap for Wednesday with Freeze Warnings in effect across the entire area. Wednesday, we'll see better potential for widespread frost with a light wind and temperatures in the lower 30's.
A freeze warning is issued by the National Weather Service when sub-freezing temperatures are expected in the next 36 hours.
With below-freezing temperatures, comes the potential of damage to your water pipes.
To avoid water pipes breaking due to frigid air, City of Tallahassee utility customers are advised to run at least one faucet in their home or business at a thin stream.
The City of Tallahassee also shared additional tips to follow during a hard freeze – about 30 degrees (F) or below for more than one hour:
- Insulate all outside pipes with cloth or a similar material to help prevent freezing. All piping in attics, including those to water heaters, should be protected as well.
- Check to make sure the cover to your water meter fits tightly. If your pipes do freeze, you can use the valve inside the meter box to shut off all the water to the house, helping to prevent indoor flooding when pipes thaw.
- If you have a backflow assembly on your water service line, it, too, may freeze with very cold temperatures. Insulate the assembly properly by wrapping or covering the pipe. Do not cover the bottom relief opening on the underside at the middle of the apparatus to avoid creating other flooding problems.
- Commercial water customers should also wrap any fire lines in their buildings. Disconnect any outside water hoses from spigots, as water trapped inside can freeze and crack the hose.
- The Tallahassee Fire Department advises residents exercise caution when using supplemental heating units. Make sure all combustible materials, such as drapes or chairs, are at least three feet away from any heating unit.
- To reduce the chance of fire, avoid using flammable liquids to start fireplaces and do not leave a fireplace unattended. Most importantly, check your smoke alarm to make sure it is working properly.
- If you are cold outside, your pet is, too. Tallahassee Animal Services recommends bringing outside pets indoors during cold snaps, especially at night when temperatures dip to their lowest.
- The Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) recommends that you check in on neighbors and family members who may be more susceptible to cold weather conditions, such as the elderly or disabled. If you are unable to reach them, TPD will conduct a welfare check for you. Simply call the Consolidated Dispatch Agency at 850-606-5800 to request the service.
