IntroductionWinter storms occur under a perfect set of conditions. Winter storms bring strong winds, heavy sleet, rain and snow. There are several types of winter storms, and each can paralyze entire regions for days or weeks. Ice storms, blizzards, lake effects, and northeast storms are specific winter storms that occur in temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Like all disasters, extreme weather events must be planned for. A series of unexpected catastrophic natural disasters have shaped the field of emergency management. The actions of the local government, military and volunteers were unprecedented. There was no plan to manage waste, dead bodies, prevent disease or clean up communities. The focus on disasters has led and continues to lead emergency planning for natural disasters like winter storms. Disaster cycle The disaster cycle has five phases. The first phase of the disaster cycle is prevention. Prevention involves stopping the event from happening. Man has no control over a winter storm; a preventable disaster would be considered an oil spill or t...