Winter storms in Lincoln, Nebraska, can create more than transportation problems and school closures. Heavy snow, freezing temperatures, strong winds, ice, power outages, and blocked roads can create serious health risks for residents. Some dangers are obvious, such as frostbite after prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures. Others are less visible, including carbon monoxide poisoning inside a home, heart strain caused by snow shoveling, medication interruptions when pharmacies become inaccessible, and mental health challenges associated with prolonged isolation and reduced daylight.

Lincoln residents can reduce many of these risks by preparing before severe weather arrives. The City of Lincoln specifically identifies hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, heart attacks caused by overexertion, and other cold-weather hazards as concerns during winter weather events. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} Checking reliable weather information is also important. If you have a heart condition, check the Lincoln winter storm warning today before deciding whether to shovel — during an active warning, heavy snow, cold temperatures, wind, and poor conditions can make strenuous outdoor activity particularly dangerous.

Understanding the major health risks associated with winter storms can help individuals and families make better decisions about when to stay indoors, when to seek medical care, and how to prepare for disruptions that may last for several days.

Heart Attack Risk From Snow Shoveling

Snow shoveling may look like an ordinary household chore, but it can place significant stress on the cardiovascular system. Moving heavy snow requires repeated lifting, pushing, bending, and twisting. Cold temperatures add another physiological challenge because the body must work harder to maintain its core temperature. The combination of strenuous exercise and cold exposure can be particularly concerning for people with existing cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure.

The City of Lincoln advises residents to avoid overexertion while shoveling and to take frequent rest breaks. Nebraska health officials likewise recommend reducing heart-attack risk by avoiding excessive exertion while shoveling snow or walking through deep snow. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

People with known heart disease, a history of heart attack, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or other cardiovascular conditions should follow their healthcare professional's advice before taking on strenuous snow removal. Older adults should also consider asking family members, neighbors, or professional snow-removal services for assistance rather than attempting to clear a large driveway themselves.

Warning signs of a heart attack can include pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the chest; pain or discomfort involving the arm, shoulder, back, neck, jaw, or upper abdomen; shortness of breath; unusual sweating; nausea; or sudden weakness. Symptoms can vary, particularly among older adults and people with diabetes. Anyone experiencing possible heart-attack symptoms should stop physical activity and seek emergency medical assistance rather than attempting to finish the job.

Even healthy adults should approach snow removal gradually. Use a shovel that is appropriate for your strength, push snow when possible instead of repeatedly lifting it, take frequent breaks, stay hydrated, and dress appropriately. If the snow is deep, wet, compacted, or mixed with ice, consider having someone else handle the most physically demanding work.

Hypothermia: Symptoms and Emergency Response

Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Although it is most likely during very cold conditions, hypothermia can also occur at temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit when someone becomes chilled by rain, sweat, or cold water. Winter storms can increase the risk because people may become stranded outdoors, lose home heating during a power outage, or spend too much time clearing snow. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Early symptoms can include shivering, fatigue, and difficulty performing normal tasks. As hypothermia progresses, a person may develop confusion, memory problems, fumbling hands, slurred speech, unusual drowsiness, or poor coordination. A dangerous feature of severe hypothermia is that the affected person may become unable to recognize how serious their condition has become.

According to the CDC, a body temperature below 95 degrees Fahrenheit in a person showing signs of hypothermia requires immediate medical attention. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

If someone may have hypothermia, move them into a warm location as quickly and safely as 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. Warm beverages may be appropriate for an alert person, but alcohol should never be used as a treatment. Do not give anything by mouth to someone who is unconscious or unable to swallow safely.

Severe hypothermia is an emergency. If the person is unconscious or appears not to be breathing normally, call emergency services immediately and follow dispatcher instructions. Handle a severely hypothermic person gently, because rough handling can potentially trigger dangerous heart rhythms. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Frostbite: Recognizing It and Treating It Safely

Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing of body tissues. It most commonly affects the fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks, and chin. Lincoln's cold-weather conditions can become especially hazardous when low temperatures are combined with wind, because exposed skin can lose heat rapidly.

Early frostbite may cause redness or pain. As the injury progresses, affected skin may become numb and develop a white, grayish-yellow, unusually firm, or waxy appearance. Numbness can make frostbite difficult to recognize because the affected person may no longer feel pain in the injured area. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

The first priority is to get out of the cold. Seek medical care as soon as possible, especially when the affected area is extensively involved, appears severely damaged, or the person also has symptoms of hypothermia.

If immediate medical care is unavailable and there are no signs of hypothermia, the CDC recommends placing the frostbitten area in warm, not hot, water. Water should feel comfortably warm to unaffected skin. If warm water is unavailable, body heat can be used in some circumstances, such as placing frostbitten fingers against a warm armpit. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Do not rub or massage frostbitten skin. Do not rub it with snow. Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, stove, fireplace, radiator, or other intense heat source because numb tissue can be burned easily. Also avoid walking on frostbitten feet or toes unless necessary for safety, because walking can worsen tissue damage. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}