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Ramsey County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2018 Page | 84 Wind chill values dropped below -35° F for several hours in Ramsey County in January of 2014, during a prolonged period of cold. Propane supplies in the region became very low, leading to the Governor declaring a Peacetime State of Emergency. Earlier in the month the Governor cancelled all public-school classes in the state due to extreme wind chills. It was the first such closing in 17 years. Two men died in Ramsey County in January of 2009, when the wind chill fell below -35° F. Extreme Cold and Climate Change Although climate research indicates that Minnesota’s average winter lows are rising rapidly, and our coldest days of winter are now warmer than we have ever recorded (NCEI, 2018), cold temperatures have always been a part of Minnesota’s climate and extreme cold events will continue. An increase in extreme precipitation or storm events such as ice storms as the climate changes could lead to a higher risk of residents being exposed to cold temperatures during power outages or other storm-related hazards during extreme cold. Vulnerability Extreme cold temperatures affect the county nearly every year. The amount of snow and ice, number of blizzards, and days of sub-zero temperatures each year are unpredictable. Within Ramsey County the risk of extreme cold does not vary geographically. Citizens living in climates such as these must always be prepared for situations that put their lives or property at risk. It is not always the depth of the cold, but an unprepared individual with a vehicle breakdown or lack of a personal winter safety kit that are at risk. The vulnerability of each jurisdiction to extreme cold has not changed due to any development in the last 5 years. Plans and Programs in Place Ramsey County Emergency Operations Plan, Ramsey County COOP/COG Plan; Ramsey County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, THIRA – Ramsey County maintains several different plans including an Emergency Operations Plan, a Ramsey County COOP/COG Plan and the Ramsey County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, which are designed as guides for emergency and/or recovery operations. These plans are intended to assist key county/municipal officials and emergency organizations to carry out their responsibilities for the protection of life and property under a wide range of emergency conditions. Public Warning and Notification – In the event of emergencies or hazardous conditions that require timely and targeted communication to the public, Ramsey County utilizes the Everbridge Mass Notification System, the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), Ramsey County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Facebook page, and local news media. Ramsey County promotes the use of NOAA weather radios by critical facilities and the public to receive information broadcast from the National Weather Service. Local television & radio stations assist with sharing public information. Ramsey County Emergency Communications Center has recently upgraded its siren system to be fully functional with the use of polygon-based warnings. Tornado warnings issued by the National Weather Service will automatically sound sirens inside or very near the polygon. School Closings – The major school districts within Ramsey County have school closing policies and communications plans in place if inclement weather or temperatures create a hazardous situation for students or staff. School districts also use local mass media to relay information.