Safety Tips

Janurary 2010 Safety Tips

Source : http://www.usatoday.com/weather/resources/safety/wtstorm.htm

Thunderstorm and Flood Safety

Thunderstorms can throw one of nature's most spectacular shows, but at the same time prove to be deadly. Dangers associated with thunderstorms can include lightning, hail, heavy rain, flooding, strong winds associated with downbursts, microbursts and tornadoes.

When certain atmospheric conditions coexist, a general thunderstorm can become severe. According to the National Weather Service, a thunderstorm is classified severe when winds reach or exceed 57.5 mph or produces hail three-quarters of an inch (size of a dime) in diameter or larger.
Out of the estimated 100,000 thunderstorms that occur in the U.S. each year, only 10 percent become severe, but account for most of the damage and loss of life.
Thunderstorms typically last less than a half an hour, but at times they form into long-lasting lines, known as squall lines (2), or grow to become powerful supercells (1)(3) that can last for hours and spawn killer tornadoes.

Each state in the USA is prone to thunderstorms and the first step in staying safe is to stay tuned to the latest forecasts. If thunderstorms are possible in your area, keep up with forecasts. Plan your day accordingly, which may include postponing or canceling your outdoor activities. Severe thunderstorms might also prompt the National Weather Service to issue watches and warnings for tornadoes and floods.
When forecasters at the nation's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., determine that severe thunderstorms are possible in your area, a severe thunderstorm watch will be issued.
What to do during a thunderstorm:
Indoors:

Stay off the phone
Stay away from windows
Use flashlights if the power goes out
Discontinue use of phones and electrical equipment. You may also want to unplug appliances and computers.
Avoid taking a shower or bath. If lightning strikes your house it may send a current of electricity across metal plumbing throughout the house.

While driving:

Reduce your speed
Pull off to the shoulder of the road. Be sure you're away from tall objects, such as trees, which could fall due to wind or lightning and do not clog highway underpasses.
Turn on your emergency flashers
Remain in the car until the storm passes
Do not touch any metal objects in the car
Avoid driving on roads covered by water

Outdoors:

Stay low
If possible, find shelter in a building
Keep away from trees, tall objects, metal objects and water
Boaters and swimmer should get to land as a soon as possible
If you're in a group caught outside, spread out.
If you begin to feel your hair stand on end, this indicates lightning is about to strike. You should drop to your knees and bend forward placing your hands on your knees and crouch down. Do not lie flat on the ground, this will only make you a larger target.

10 Things to Know about Flood Safety
Flooding can occur as streams and rivers overflow their banks, when dams or levees break, with run-off from deep snow cover, or any time there is rainfall with significant duration and intensity.
Keep these facts in mind to stay alive and dry.

Flash floods can come rapidly and unexpectedly. They can occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall, or when a dam or levee fails and even a sudden release of water held by an ice or debris jam. Be cautious during storm seasons, or any time that flooding is common in your area.
You may not have warning that a flash flood is approaching.
Do not drive unless absolutely necessary.
Do not drive through flooded areas. If you see a flooded-out road ahead, turn around. Find another route to your destination.
If there is no other route, get to higher ground and wait for the waters to subside.
Even if the water appears shallow enough to cross, don't try it. Water hides dips in the road. Worse yet, there may be no road at all under the water. Flooding can scour away the entire road surface and a significant amount of ground beneath.
If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.
Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control or possible stalling.
One foot of water will float almost many vehicles.
Two feet of rushing water can sweep away most vehicles — including SUVs and pick-ups.