Gov. Gary Herbert issues warning about approaching storm

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Gary Herbert urged residents along the northern Wasatch Front Saturday night to prepare for another wind storm, which is forecast to begin at 5 p.m. Sunday, and continue overnight into Monday.

The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a high wind advisory which calls for sustained winds of 35 to 45 mph, gusting up to 75 mph. The strongest winds are predicted to blow between 10 p.m. Sunday and 1 a.m., Monday. The winds are expected to overlap with a snowstorm, and blowing snow could produce white-out conditions.

"The high winds coupled with the snow could make it a very dangerous situation," Herbert said Saturday night.

The winds forecast for Sunday may not be as severe as the destructive storm on Thursday. However, any items on houses and buildings that came loose during in the previous storm could dislodged and scatter.

"Please secure any piles of debris — especially branches which could easily become airborne — and anything on your homes which could present a hazard if dislodged," Herbert said.

Herbert, in a press briefing, urged Utahns to ride the storm out at home.

"It’s a good time to stay off the roads and stay home," he said.

Meanwhile, the Utah Highway Patrol also asked motorists to avoid unnecessary travel on Sunday in Davis and Weber counties. 

“We will have multiple troopers out and many more on standby,” said Daniel Fuhr, UHP superintendent.

"As part of that group, we will have our commercial vehicle troopers out working with high-profile vehicles.  These troopers have the ability to communicate with commercial vehicle operators and warn them of impending dangers.”

If necessary, the UHP will close roads to high-profile vehicles but allow those not at risk to travel the roadways. 

For more information about storm go to:

The National Weather Service: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov

Utah Department of Transportation: http://www.commuterlink.utah.gov

More preparedness information is available at http://bereadyutah.gov and on Twitter by following @bereadyutah.

Filing an insurance claim

Assess the damage

Call an insurance agent immediately

Document the damage

Make sure only approved companies make emergency repairs

Document any contact with the insurance company

Be present when the adjuster inspects damage

If necessary, get a second opinion

E-mail: marjorie@desnews.com