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Health Risks During Winter Storms in Great Falls,
Health Risks During Winter Storms in Great Falls,
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Guest
Guest
Aug 27, 2026
6:12 AM
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Winter storms in Great Falls, Montana, can create more than difficult driving conditions and snow-covered sidewalks. Severe cold, blowing snow, ice, power outages, blocked roads, and prolonged periods indoors can combine to create serious health risks. Some problems develop gradually, while others, such as carbon monoxide poisoning or a heart attack, can become life-threatening within minutes.
Great Falls residents should take winter weather warnings seriously, particularly older adults, people with heart or lung conditions, individuals who live alone, young children, people who take daily medications, and anyone who depends on electricity for medical equipment. Before heading outdoors during a major storm, residents can monitor local weather information and review the Great Falls winter storm warning today to understand whether conditions are expected to worsen.
The safest approach is not simply to prepare for snow. It is to prepare for what snow and extreme cold can do to the human body and to the health-care system.
Snow Shoveling Can Increase Heart Attack Risk
One of the most overlooked winter hazards is the physical effort required to clear snow. Shoveling can look like an ordinary household chore, but moving heavy snow is strenuous cardiovascular exercise. Cold temperatures add another layer of stress because the body constricts blood vessels to conserve heat, which can increase blood pressure and make the heart work harder.
The combination can be particularly dangerous for adults with coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or a previous heart attack. People who are normally sedentary may also be at risk when they suddenly perform intense physical work after a storm.
Wet, compacted snow is especially demanding. A person may begin with a light layer and then encounter heavier snow underneath, forcing them to lift or push substantial weight repeatedly. Wind and freezing temperatures can make the work even more exhausting.
The CDC specifically warns that overexertion during snow removal can contribute to heart attacks.
Know the warning signs
Anyone experiencing chest pressure, squeezing, or pain during or after shoveling should stop immediately. Other possible heart attack symptoms include shortness of breath, unusual sweating, nausea, lightheadedness, discomfort spreading to the arm, shoulder, back, neck, or jaw, and sudden extreme fatigue.
Do not assume symptoms are simply caused by cold air or physical exertion.
If symptoms are severe, persistent, or suggest a heart attack, call 911 rather than attempting to drive yourself to an emergency department. During a major storm, roads may be hazardous and emergency responders need to know where help is required.
Safer snow removal
If you have a history of heart disease or have been told to limit strenuous exercise, ask your clinician before taking on snow removal. When possible, arrange for a family member, neighbor, or professional service to handle heavy snow.
For people who are medically able to shovel, taking frequent breaks, avoiding heavy lifting, staying hydrated, and using a smaller shovel load can reduce exertion. Pushing snow may be less strenuous than repeatedly lifting it, although deep or wet snow can still require considerable effort.
The best strategy during severe weather is to avoid turning snow removal into an endurance workout.
Hypothermia Can Develop Before You Realize How Cold You Are
Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. A body temperature below 95°F (35°C) is considered hypothermia and requires prompt medical attention.
In Great Falls, exposure can happen during snow removal, walking to a vehicle, helping someone who is stranded, clearing outdoor equipment, or dealing with a power outage. Wind can accelerate heat loss, while wet clothing can dramatically reduce insulation.
Early symptoms may include shivering, tiredness, clumsiness, confusion, and difficulty coordinating movements. As hypothermia becomes more severe, a person may stop shivering, develop blue or pale skin, experience slowed breathing and pulse, become increasingly confused, or lose consciousness.
The disappearance of shivering is not a sign that someone is getting better. In severe hypothermia, the body may no longer have enough energy to generate the normal shivering response.
If you suspect hypothermia, move the person indoors or to another warm, sheltered location. Remove wet clothing and replace it with dry layers or blankets. Focus on warming the chest, neck, head, and groin. If the person is awake and able to swallow safely, a warm nonalcoholic beverage may help. Never give food or drink to someone who is unconscious or unable to swallow safely.
Severe hypothermia is an emergency. Call 911 and follow the dispatcher's instructions while waiting for help.
Frostbite Requires Careful Treatment
Frostbite happens when skin and underlying tissue freeze. Fingers, toes, ears, nose, cheeks, and chin are especially vulnerable because they are exposed and have less protection from the cold.
Early symptoms may include numbness, tingling, stinging, unusual skin color, or pain. With deeper frostbite, the affected area may become hard, pale, waxy, blue, or eventually black as tissue damage progresses.
The first priority is getting out of the cold. Move indoors, remove wet clothing, and protect the affected area from additional exposure.
If medical care is not immediately available, CDC guidance recommends warming the affected area in warm water rather than using direct high heat. Water that is excessively hot can burn numb skin because the person may not be able to accurately feel the temperature.
Do not rub, massage, or vigorously manipulate frostbitten skin. Avoid walking on frostbitten feet or toes unless absolutely necessary, because frozen tissue can be damaged further.
Do not use a fireplace, heating pad, radiator, hair dryer, or other intense heat source directly on numb skin. These methods can cause burns.
After rewarming, frostbitten tissue may become swollen and painful. Medical evaluation is important, particularly when the skin is blistered, deeply discolored, numb, or severely painful. Severe frostbite can damage deeper tissues and may require specialized treatment.
Carbon Monoxide Is a Major Winter Storm Threat
Power outages create a dangerous temptation: finding alternative ways to heat a home. This is where carbon monoxide poisoning becomes a serious concern.
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a colorless and odorless gas produced when fuels do not burn completely. Because people cannot see or smell it, they may not realize it is accumulating inside a home.
Portable generators are one of the most important storm-related sources of CO exposure. A generator should never be operated inside a house, basement, garage, shed, enclosed porch, or other enclosed or partially enclosed structure. The CDC recommends operating portable generators outdoors at least 20 feet away from the home.
A generator can produce dangerous levels of CO even when a garage door is open. Keeping the generator near windows, doors, or vents can also allow exhaust to enter the home.
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