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Health Risks During Winter Storms in Marquette, MI
Health Risks During Winter Storms in Marquette, MI
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Guest
Guest
Aug 17, 2026
6:51 AM
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Winter storms are a familiar part of life in Marquette, Michigan, but familiarity should never be mistaken for safety. Heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures, strong winds, icy roads, power outages, and prolonged periods of limited travel can create health risks that extend well beyond slips and falls. A major storm can affect the heart, lungs, circulation, mental health, access to medications, and the ability of emergency medical services to reach people who need help.
For residents of Marquette and surrounding communities in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, winter health preparedness is especially important because severe weather can make ordinary activities—shoveling a driveway, walking to a vehicle, picking up a prescription, or operating a backup heater—considerably more hazardous. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends limiting unnecessary outdoor exposure during winter storms and preparing in advance for cold temperatures, power failures, communication disruptions, and dangerous travel conditions.
Understanding the major health hazards can help residents recognize emergencies earlier and make safer decisions when conditions deteriorate.
Snow Shoveling and the Risk of Heart Attack
Snow removal is one of the most underestimated winter health hazards. Clearing a driveway or sidewalk combines strenuous physical exertion with exposure to cold air, and that combination can place significant stress on the cardiovascular system.
Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, which can raise blood pressure. At the same time, shoveling heavy or wet snow requires repeated lifting, pushing, bending, and twisting. People who are not accustomed to vigorous exercise may suddenly be performing a demanding workout for 30 minutes or longer.
The risk can be greater for people with known heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or a history of cardiovascular problems. Older adults may also be more vulnerable. The CDC specifically advises people with heart disease or high blood pressure to follow their doctor's advice about shoveling and other strenuous work in cold weather.
A safer approach is to avoid shoveling during the worst part of a storm whenever possible. If snow must be cleared, use a lightweight shovel, push snow rather than lifting it when conditions allow, take frequent breaks, and dress in layers that keep the body warm without causing excessive sweating.
Residents should also pay attention to warning signs of a possible heart attack. These can include pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the chest; pain spreading to the arm, shoulder, back, neck, jaw, or upper abdomen; shortness of breath; unusual sweating; nausea; or sudden weakness.
Do not assume chest discomfort is simply the result of physical exertion. A person experiencing possible heart attack symptoms should stop working and seek emergency medical assistance.
Before going outside to clear snow, residents should also consider whether conditions are appropriate for outdoor work at all. Checking the Marquette winter storm warning today can help residents understand whether an active storm or dangerous conditions make postponing snow removal the safer choice.
Hypothermia: When the Body Loses Heat Too Quickly
Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Although it is associated with extremely cold weather, it can also occur in temperatures above 40°F when someone becomes wet, exhausted, or chilled for an extended period.
In Marquette, hypothermia can become a concern when residents are stranded outdoors, dealing with a disabled vehicle, walking through deep snow, clearing storm debris, or losing home heating during a power outage.
Early symptoms can include shivering, fatigue, poor coordination, and difficulty performing simple tasks. As hypothermia progresses, symptoms may include confusion, memory problems, slurred speech, drowsiness, and fumbling hands. A dangerously cold body temperature can impair the brain, meaning the affected person may not recognize how serious the situation has become.
A body temperature below 95°F is considered an emergency. Medical attention should be obtained immediately.
While waiting for assistance, move the person into a warm, dry environment if possible. Remove wet clothing and replace it with dry layers or blankets. Focus on warming the center of the body, particularly the chest, neck, head, and groin. If the person is awake and able to swallow normally, warm nonalcoholic beverages may help. Never give liquids to someone who is unconscious or severely impaired.
Hypothermia can affect judgment, so someone who appears confused or unusually sleepy should not simply be told to "go inside and warm up." They may need assistance.
Frostbite Requires Prompt Attention
Frostbite is another serious cold-weather injury. It occurs when skin and underlying tissues freeze, most often affecting exposed or poorly protected areas such as the fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks, and chin.
Early frostbite may cause redness or pain followed by numbness. More advanced frostbite can produce skin that appears white, grayish-yellow, or unusually firm and waxy. Because numbness can occur, a person may not realize how severe the injury is.
The first priority is getting out of the cold. Seek medical care as soon as possible, particularly when the affected area is extensive, deeply numb, discolored, blistered, or associated with other signs of cold injury.
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