Freeze Watch Issued for North Florida/South Georgia

1/29/2019 (Permalink)

All it takes is a few hours of freezing temperatures for your pipes to freeze.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service, the Polar Vortex is affecting more than the Midwest and Northeast.

Though our local temperatures are supposed to reach the low 60’s today, there has been a freeze watch issued for tonight. Here’s the actual bulletin.

Freeze Watch

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 

Tue Jan 29 2019

Inland Duval-Bradford-Clay-Gilchrist-Alachua-Coastal Nassau- Coastal Glynn-Coastal Camden- Including the cities of Normandy, Ortega, Riverside, San Marco, Starke, New River, Doctors Inlet, Lakeside, Bellair, Middleburg, Orange Park, Trenton, Gainesville, Gainesville Airport, Newnans Lake, Amelia City, Fernandina Beach, Yulee, Jekyll Island, Glynn Haven, Sea Island, St. Simons, Country Club Estate, Dock Junction, Dover Bluff, Kingsland, and Dungeness

Tuesday Jan 29 2019 ...FREEZE WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING...

* TEMPERATURES...Lows in the lower 30s.

* TIMING...Late tonight into Wednesday morning.

* IMPACTS...Freezing temperatures could kill sensitive vegetation.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Freeze Watch means sub-freezing temperatures are possible for at least 2 hours. Precautions may be required to protect plants, pets and those vulnerable to the cold if a freeze warning is issued.

Though it’s unlikely some areas of North Florida and South Georgia could get frozen pipes. Water pipes in houses in southern climates often are more vulnerable to winter cold spells. The pipes are more likely to be located in unprotected areas outside of the building insulation, and homeowners tend to be less aware of freezing problems, which may occur only once or twice a season.

All it takes is a few hours of freezing temperatures for your pipes to freeze.

Letting a faucet drip during extreme cold weather can prevent a pipe from bursting. Opening a faucet will provide relief from the excessive pressure that builds between the faucet and the ice blockage when freezing occurs. If there is no excessive water pressure, there is no burst pipe, even if the water inside the pipe freezes. A dripping faucet wastes some water, so only pipes vulnerable to freezing (ones that run through an unheated or unprotected space) should be left with the water flowing. The drip can be very slight.

Here are some helpful hints to help you avoid problems:

• Keep one or two faucets dripping
• Direct warm air to any colder areas of your home
• Leave cabinet doors open to allow warm air in--especially if your kitchen sink is on an outside wall
• Disconnect your hose from the outside faucet
• Seal leaks that allow cold air into your home where pipes are located

Water damage caused by frozen pipes can be one of the most damaging problems a homeowner can face. Most homeowners insurance will cover damage resulting from a frozen pipe provided you can prove that you took measures to prevent the pipe from freezing.

The good news is that SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee will be here to help 24/7 if you run into frozen pipes and resulting water damage problems. Call us at 904-729-2401.