More Storms Ahead For East Coast: How To Stay Safe In The Nor'easter

By Erin Hicks

A week after Hurricane Sandy left more than 100 dead in the U.S., meteorologists warn that another dangerous weather system may be just days way from striking the New York and New Jersey metro area -- this time a nor'easter packing winds that could reach 55 miles per hour.

Struggling to recover from Hurricane Sandy, an estimated 780,000 are still without power in New Jersey, and 540,000 are without power in New York, according to ABC News. Damage estimates lie somewhere between $50 and $60 billion in the Northeast.

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The National Weather Service (NWS) is now warning the region to brace for a nor'easter -- a type of storm that has similar characteristics to a hurricane. The nor'easter is predicted to bring more rain, wind and cold when it hits the region by Wednesday -- and, potentially, the kind of power outages and storm damage that presented serious health threats last week.

Here are some tips on how to survive this storm:

Stay Indoors
The NWS predicts the nor'easter could bring wind gusts of up to 55 mph. Strong winds could bring down trees and limbs that we already weakened by Sandy, according to the NWS. Therefore, stay indoors during the storm and avoid parks. The strong winds could also raise the surf and push some of the storm surge inland, possibly flooding some of the coastal areas in New Jersey and southern New England once again, so stay off of beaches during the storm.

Beware of Downed Wires
It's possible the latest storm could bring down more power lines and further delay power companies from restoring power to those still in the dark.

Consolidated Edison (Con Edison) in New York is warning the public that they should consider any downed wire a live wire. Last week @conedison tweeted: “If you see downed wires, assume they're live. Do not go near them.”

They advise to avoid puddles or standing water if you suspect live wires are down, because they can conduct electricity and give off an electrical shock.

Stay Warm
Nighttime temperatures are expected to dip to the low to mid 20s for most of the area between New York and Washington, D.C., and the daytime highs are only expected to reach the mid-40s for most areas. That means those without power should try to bunk up with a friend, or seek warmer shelter elsewhere.

“It's going to become increasingly clear” homes without heat are uninhabitable, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, according to The Associated Press. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that 20,000 people in the city "could need housing help" this week as temperatures dip.

…But Not Too Warm
If you're lucky enough to have power, make sure you're following heating safety tips. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater. Also, never use your oven to heat your home, and make sure you have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

"More Storms Ahead For East Coast: How To Stay Safe In The Nor'Easter" originally appeared on Everyday Health