We're back now at 7:41 with "Gma" on the lookout. And what to do if you find yourself stranded on road, stuck in snow in freezing cold weather. We have seen it happen to so many people this week.
And rob Marciano is in Minneapolis with the story. Good morning. Reporter: It's been an unusual start to the winter weather this year.
More than twice the usual amount of snow covering the country right now. Driving has been dangerous for millions of Americans. And getting stuck or stranded is a very real and life-threatening possibility.
It can happen in an instant. We aren't going anywhere. Reporter: You're driving in an unfamiliar area, and suddenly you're lost.
Or worse, stranded in the snow. That truck ain't going nowhere until we get help up here. Reporter: It happened to four men in Oregon on Tuesday.
Their gps sending them the wrong way into rough, secluded country. We didn't know how long we were going to be there. Reporter: Hunkering down for 18 hours until help finally arrived.
We want to get out as soon as possible. Reporter: And in western new York, this women's basketball team stranded for 30 hours after heavy snow brought traffic to a dead stop. We made it out.
Reporter: Some are not as fortunate. In 2006, James Kim and his family became stranded on this desolate mountain road in Oregon. James set out on foot looking for help, dying from hypothermia.
What happens when you get stranded ? What do you need to do to survive? Above all, do not leave the vehicle.
Reporter: Bruce is an expert with the Minnesota department of public safety, taking me through survival tips. We're stranded in the middle of nowhere, temperatures in the teens. What to do?
Stay cool and keep warm. Reporter: Bundle up. Make your car visible.
Tie a rag or brightly-colored ribbon so people can find you. Run your vehicle about ten minutes for every hour. Have the heat running during that time and charge your cell phone at the same time.
And stay with your vehicle. Don't leave this car. But I had to ask -- my instinct is to leave the vehicle and find help.
How do you keep from doing that? Fight the instinct, keep your wits about you and stay with the vehicle. It's a lot easier to find you in the vehicle than to find you walking through that field right over there.
Reporter: There's a light, I feel like I can walk to it. You don't know how far that is. Reporter: And a simple survival kit, with a whistle, bright rag, hand warmers, emergency blankets, protein bars and a flash flight with extra batteries and a first aid kit.
When you're in a situation like we are in right now, it will save your life. Reporter: Doesn't take much. Most can fit in a very small piece of tupperware.
