As Local State of Emergency Lifts, Remember Winter is Not Over Those reading this issue of the Orange County Insight are likely still dealing with some of the lingering effects of the winter storm which impacted our area almost a month ago. The storm’s unique blend of snow, sleet, and ice, paired with some of the coldest temperatures we’ve seen in decades, created a tough layer of precipitation that stuck around on the landscape. Difficult to remove, easy to slip on, hard to melt, and almost unnaturally smooth when undisturbed, this “snowcrete,” as we came to call it, certainly caused problems around the state. Thankfully, the storm, dubbed Winter Storm Fern by the Weather Channel, did not cause widespread power outages in our area. Given the persistent, bitterly cold temperatures that followed the storm, power outages could have been extremely dangerous. Orange County appreciates the efforts made by our local utility providers to prevent outages and to promptly respond to any that did occur. By: Oragne County Communicatiosn Department
Recognizing the potential threat as it approached, Orange County declared a Local State of Emergency (LSOE) which began on Friday, January 23. The LSOE helped facilitate mobilization of response resources and the ability to request additional aid from the state if needed. As conditions eventually improved, the LSOE was lifted on Thursday, February 5. Both the declaration and the lifting of the emergency state were ratified at the Board of Supervisors’ February 10 meeting.
As we move past this storm and look froward to warmer temperatures, it’s important to remember that winter is not necessarily behind us, and even if it is, there are other weather hazards to prepare for. The good news is that there are many steps you can take to prepare which are helpful regardless of the actual type of emergency faced. For example, creating emergency kits for your household and vehicles can provide a great deal of safety and comfort when needed. Visit www.ready.gov/kit for details about how to make a kit. Remember to include enough supplies for at least three days for each member of your family, and don’t forget your pets.
Prescriptions and medical devices (such as oxygen concentrators) are often overlooked until the situation becomes dire. Don’t let that happen to you! Before the next event arrives, take time to talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or medical provider. Consider: Is it possible to get an extra supply of a prescription before the storm (or other disaster) arrives? How long can your medications remain useable if not refrigerated? Is a battery backup available for your medical device? Do you have enough batteries to keep your device working for several days?
Remember the old adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Be safe!
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OCI February 2026
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