Final answer:
When your vehicle is stuck in a winter storm, staying with your vehicle and staying visible is key. Contacting the National Guard may be necessary if the situation is severe. Conserve fuel, stay warm with layers and blankets, and keep physical activity balanced to prevent excessive fatigue or sweating.
Step-by-step explanation:
If your vehicle becomes stuck in a winter storm, the best course of action is to stay with your vehicle unless help is visible within a hundred yards. Keeping the engine off can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, but if the temperatures are extremely cold, you can run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour, making sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow. To ensure visibility to rescuers, tie a brightly colored cloth to your antenna or place it at the top of a rolled-up window. It is important to stay warm and avoid overexertion when trying to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow, as sweating can lead to a chill and a drop in your body temperature, which can be dangerous.
In the event of severe winter storms, authorities like governors can call upon the National Guard to assist residents and aid in storm recovery. While you wait for help, it is advisable to keep emergency supplies in your vehicle, such as extra clothing, blankets, food, and water. During extreme cold, keeping yourself insulated and hydrated is crucial to helping your body maintain its core temperature.
If your vehicle becomes increasingly cold and you are running low on fuel, do what you can to conserve heat by layering clothing, huddling with passengers, and utilizing whatever items you have to keep warm. Should you find yourself in a prolonged situation, ration food and water carefully, and maintain a level of physical activity to encourage blood circulation, being careful not to become overly fatigued or to sweat excessively.