Severe Weather Safety - Lightning & Flash Flood/Flooding

4/10/2017 (Permalink)

Severe weather safety tips

Lightning Safety Tips:

• Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent. Lightning can travel 5-10 miles away from the thunderstorm and strike the ground with blue sky overhead.
• Move to a sturdy shelter or vehicle. Do not take shelter in a small shed, under isolated trees, or in a convertible-top vehicle. Stay away from tall objects such as trees or towers or poles.
• If in your vehicle when lightning strikes – don’t touch a metal surface. You are safer in a vehicle than being outdoors.
• Remember that utility lines or pipes can carry the electrical current underground or through a building. Avoid electrical appliances, and use telephones or computers only in an emergency.
• If you feel your hair standing on end – get down into a baseball catcher’s position and plug your ears with your finger tips so if lightning does hit it will not blow your ear drums out. Do not lie flat!
• 30/30 rule – if the time between lighting and thunder is 30 seconds or less, go to a safe shelter. Stay there until 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder.

For more information on lightning safety go to www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov.

Flash Flood/Flood Safety Tips:

• Nearly half of all fatalities in a flash flood involve a person driving a vehicle. Do not drive into a flooded area – Turn Around Don’t Drown! It takes only 2 feet of water to float away most cars. It’s amazing how powerful we feel when we get behind the wheel – don’t do it!
• It takes only 6 inches of fast-moving water to sweep a person off their feet – don’t walk through a flooded area!
• If you are camping in a river valley, move to higher ground if thunderstorms with heavy rains are in the area. Do not attempt to drive away.
• Don’t operate electrical tools in flooded areas.
• Most flash flood deaths occur in the middle of the night when it is more difficult to see rising water levels judge the depth of water covering road surfaces.