OAKLAND COUNTY (WWJ) - One man is dead due to cold exposure in Oakland County as an intense wave of subzero Arctic air continues to grip Southeast Michigan this week, authorities said.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office confirmed the death on Sunday, Jan. 14, stating the victim -- identified only as a 60-year-old homeless man in Orion Township -- died of hypothermia, an emergent medical condition where one's body temperature drops dangerously low due to long exposure to cold weather.
Oakland County Undersheriff Curtis D. Childs said via the Macomb Daily that deputies and Orion Township firefighters responded to an undisclosed address off Height Road around 10 a.m. and found an unconscious man under a blue tarp.
Firefighters began life-saving efforts before the man was rushed to McLaren Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The man's name has not been released pending notification of his family, Childs added.
The sheriff's office posted the update on Facebook with a safety message warning residents of the dangers of extreme cold and to keep an eye out for anyone who may need assistance when the temperature drops.
"If you know of people that are homeless, shelters and warming centers are important with subzero temperatures," the OCSO wrote. "Please be extra careful with your pets, and take extra care of the elderly. When you you travel in your car, make sure you have warm clothing with you in case you have any issues."
Not a day before, the sheriff's office posted a message about their Coats for the Cold program and how important it is to the community when frigid winter weather sets in.
This past November, the OCSO held its 36th annual coat drive which collected new or clean, used coast for different charitable organizations who then distribute the coats to those most in need at no cost.
"Exposure to winter temperatures can be deadly," the sheriff's office wrote. "Combined with the exertions of shoveling or other physical activity it multiplies that possibility. We encourage people to be extremely careful about their physical activities while outside based on their own health, and to make sure they’re appropriately dressed. We’ve seen tragedy when these actions are not taken."
A Wind Chill Advisory from the National Weather Service has been issued from 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16 until noon Wednesday, Jan. 17 for all of Southeast Michigan including Tuscola, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Wayne, Lenawee and Monroe counties.
Wind chills will be dangerously cold, at -15 to -20F.
The cold wind chills could cause frostbite -- or freezing damage that occurs to skin, nerves, and blood vessels below the top layer of the skin due to extreme cold -- on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes, the NWS said.
Fingers, toes, nose and ears are especially at risk, but frostbite can affect any area of the body that isn't properly covered in frigid weather.
Signs and symptoms of frostbite include:
• Redness or pain in any skin area may be the first sign of frostbite
• A white or grayish-yellow skin area
• Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
• Numbness
To avoid frostbite, stay inside during severe cold. If you must go out, the NWS recommends the following tips:
• Try to cover every part of your body: ears, nose, toes and fingers, etc.
• Mittens are better than gloves.
• Keep your skin dry.
• Stay out of the wind when possible.
• Drink plenty of fluids since hydration increases the blood's volume, which helps prevent frostbite.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes.Caffeine constricts blood vessels, preventing warming of your extremities. Alcohol reduces shivering, which helps keep you warm. Cigarettes restrict the blood flow to your hands.
WWJ AccuWeather Meteorologist Dean Devore warned: "I just don't think we're prepared for how cold this is going to be."
Metro Detroit communities will get blasted with wind chill values close to zero before it gets progressively more frigid going into the work week.