Safety Rules to Follow During a Thunderstorm

Thunderstorms can be quite an awesome sight, with their dark thundering clouds and the refreshing rain they leave behind, but they can also be very dangerous. To keep you and your family safe during these sometimes deadly storms, you need to follow some safety rules.

Thunderstorm Formation

• Thunderstorms require moisture to create clouds and rain, unstable warm air that rises rapidly, and the lifting of air created by the sun's heat, sea breezes or by mountain ranges. Clouds form into large towering anvil-shaped clouds. They appear dark and threatening when viewed from below, but are very bright and white when viewed from the side at some distance. Thunderstorms are typically around 15 miles wide and last about 30 minutes. It is estimated that 100,000 thunderstorms happen every year in the United States. About 10 percent of these storms are classified as severe and cause countless damage and even loss of life.

Lightning Safety

• Thunderstorms produce lighting that can debilitate or kill a human being.

  Stay clear of all electrical equipment, water pipes, wall sockets and land phones. Lightning may strike outside and be conducted through these objects.

  Stay away from open areas and isolated tall objects that attract lightning such as light poles and trees.

  If you are caught outside during lightning storms, crouching down to the ground and putting your hands on you knees makes you as small a target as possible for a lightning strike.

  If you are traveling in your automobile, stay inside because it provides reasonable lightning protection. Do not touch any exposed metal while inside your car.

  If your hair stands on end or your skin feels tingly, lighting may be getting ready to strike you--immediately drop to the ground.

Hail Safety

• Hail causes a lot of property damage and can reach the size of a softball, falling at over 100 mph.

  Find cover as soon as possible. Smaller hail can quickly increase in size and become larger more deadly stones.

  Your vehicle can provide safety from smaller-sized hail, but larger hail has been known to break through windshields and rear windows.

Flood Safety

• Flash flooding is the leading cause of death associated with thunderstorms, with over 70 fatalities every year.

  When a flash flood watch is issued, prepare for a possible flood by moving valuables to upper rooms, and prepare to take action if a warning is issued.

  When a flash flood warning is issued for an imminent flood, stay tuned to media outlets and be prepared to evacuate when the flood waters surge.

  Move to higher ground, away from canals, rivers and streams.

  Avoid walking or driving through roads covered in water. You do not know the depth of the water and may be pulled under due to the swift current.

  If your vehicle stalls in rising water, abandon it and seek higher ground.

High Wind and Tornado Safety

• High winds can cause lots of damage and even exceed 125 mph. Tornadoes can form in extreme cases and can exceed 250 mph.

  Seek shelter in your basement, windowless interior room or hallway, all on the lowest floor available. Upper stories are unsafe.

  Do not seek shelter in a mobile home; they are vulnerable to overturning in high winds.

  If no safe shelter is available to you, get into your vehicle, put on your seat belt and drive to the nearest shelter.

  If you experience flying debris while driving, pull over and park. Keep your seat belt on, keep your head below the windows, covering it with your hands or a jacket. If you notice an area lower than the roadway such as a ditch, exit your car if it is safe to do so, and lie flat in the depression, covering your head with your hands.