Winter wonderland possible in Cape Fear region as experts urge caution

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY) — The Cape Fear Region could potentially see a winter wonderland this weekend.  

Another year of the Cape Fear region preparing for a winter wonderland, one that had residents sledding down the sand dunes of Wrightsville Beach last year. 

In addition to sledding this weekend, a lot of us will be shoveling. 

“That is aerobic activity. It’s lifting a weight, it’s twisting, and it’s putting down the weight,” said Joel Caschette. 

Joel Caschette is the Chief Medical Officer for UnitedHealthcare Medicare and Retirement. 

He says shoveling snow can contribute to a multitude of potential health risks, from stress on the spine causing back pain, to the risk of a heart attack. 

Constance Foreman is a family medicine physician for Novant Health, and she says that shoveling adds a tremendous strain on the body, especially a dormant one. 

“If you don’t have a routine, physical exercise, a routine that you follow, shoveling that snow can be detrimental to your health because it creates a load on the heart that was not ordinarily there,” says Foreman.   

When venturing outside, Caschette says senior citizens should proceed with extra caution. 

“For older adults, this could be even a greater risk, where even a short walk to the mailbox, which we do every day, could result in a fracture or serious injury. If you have a cane or walker, making sure it has an ice-tip or traction attachment is important,” said Caschette. 

He says no matter what age, most North Carolinians are not used to these kinds of conditions. 

Three tips would be to layer properly, wear shoes with rubber soles, and, a particularly interesting one, keep your hands out of your pockets to help maintain balance. 

Another tip: if you use medical equipment that needs electricity, make a backup plan now. 

Charge batteries and power banks. 

Keep a list of medicines and doses, and always have an emergency kit.