Boo!

The National Weather Service says:

Message:	NOAA-NWS-ALERTS-VA20091219030300LWXSpecialWeatherStatementLWX20091219091500VA from w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov
Sent:	22:03 EST on 12-18-2009
Effective:	22:03 EST on 12-18-2009
Expires:	04:15 EST on 12-19-2009
Event:	Special Weather Statement
Alert:	...RECORD BREAKING DECEMBER SNOWFALL FOR BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREAS BRINGING HAZARDOUS WINTER WEATHER TO THE REGION OVERNIGHT AND SATURDAY... TOTAL STORM SNOWFALL TOTALS OF 1 TO 2 FEET ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR IN THE BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREAS BY DAWN SUNDAY...WHICH SHOULD ECLIPSE THE DECEMBER RECORDS FOR BOTH CITIES. THE RECORD DECEMBER SNOWFALL FOR WASHINGTON IS 12.0 INCHES ON 18-19 DECEMBER 1932...AND FOR BALTIMORE TO RECORD IS 14.1 INCHES ON 12-13 DECEMBER 1960. SHOULD ACCUMULATIONS EXCEED 14 INCHES...THIS STORM WILL MAKE THE LIST OF THE ALL-TIME TOP 10 SNOWSTORMS ON RECORD FOR BOTH CITIES. HERE ARE SOME HAZARDOUS WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS TIPS... 1. TRAVEL IS NOT RECOMMENDED ON SATURDAY...AS CONDITIONS WILL DETERIORATE RAPIDLY AFTER DAYBREAK. IF YOU HAVE TO TRAVEL SATURDAY IN AN EMERGENCY...CARRY A WINTER STORM SURVIVAL KIT WHICH INCLUDES A CHARGED MOBILE PHONE...BLANKETS...FLASHLIGHT WITH EXTRA BATTERIES...HIGH CALORIE NON-PERISHABLE FOOD...WATER...AND A SNOW SHOVEL. KEEP YOUR GAS TANK FULL...AND AVOID TRAVELING ALONE. LET SOMEONE KNOW YOUR TIMETABLE AND YOUR PRIMARY ROUTE. 2. IF YOU DO GET STRANDED...STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE. ATTEMPTING TO WALK FOR HELP IN A WINTER STORM COULD BE A DEADLY DECISION. RUN THE MOTOR FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES EVERY HOUR FOR HEAT. OPEN THE WINDOW A LITTLE FOR FRESH AIR TO AVOID CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. MAKE SURE YOUR EXHAUST PIPE IS NOT BLOCKED FROM ICE AND SNOW. 3. IF YOU NEED TO USE A PORTABLE GENERATOR...FOLLOW MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS TO KEEP THE AREA SURROUNDING YOUR GENERATOR WELL VENTILATED. 4. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SHOVEL SNOW UNLESS YOU ARE PHYSICALLY FIT. HYDRATE YOURSELF OFTEN WITH WATER WHILE SHOVELING...AND TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS. 5. MOVE PETS AND FARM ANIMALS TO SHELTERED LOCATIONS AND ENSURE THEY HAVE PLENTY OF FOOD AND DRINK. 6. LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...LOCAL AND CABLE OUTLETS TO STAY INFORMED ON THE PROGRESS OF THE STORM.