This past week was Winter Weather Awareness Week in Alabama. Didn’t know that? You are probably not alone.

We are blessed in the South to not have to think about winter weather often. We all saw the chaos a couple of inches of unexpected snow can bring last January.

Less than two inches of snow — an amount our brothers and sisters to the North would barely notice — brought a civil emergency and stranded motorists on the road and kids at schools.

I look at pictures from this week’s epic storm in Buffalo, New York, where more than seven feet of snow was dumped in just a few hours, and wonder how people even begin to dig themselves out.

I remember covering my first snow as a new reporter at The Shelby County Reporter in Columbiana. Equipped with my camera, I hit the road to photograph the winter weather.

Just a few miles between Montevallo and Columbiana, I came up on a steep hill where two people had gotten off the highway and into the ditch. I slowed down and got ready to take pictures of the helpless saps.

In parking, I might have gotten my passenger side wheels two or three inches off the road, but it was enough to find myself sliding into the ditch. In just a few seconds, my truck to was completely off the highway and joining the party at the bottom of the hill.

I got out to survey the damage. There was none, but I immediately knew I was in big trouble. The door had closed and locked behind me. I peek into the truck, which was running with keys in the ignition and saw my phone lying on the dashboard.

Thankfully, someone came along shortly with a phone and called a tow company. I’ve since never gotten out of my vehicle to take a picture without my keys in hand, too.

Hopefully, there won’t be too many winter storms to deal with this season, but the National Weather Service offers these tips just in case:

Make sure your home is well-insulated.

Check battery powered equipment and stock extra batteries for flashlights and a portable television/radio.

Keep some type of emergency heating equipment available, so you can keep at least one room warm enough to be livable.

Check your supply of heating fuel, and prevent fire hazards.

Stock and emergency supply of food/water.

Keep water pipes from freezing by wrapping them in insulation. Let faucets drip a little.

Stay indoors during cold snaps. The elderly, children and those in bad health may be especially susceptible to cold weather.

Move livestock to sheltered areas.