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Thunderstorms Thunderstorms Approach 1 38 ARE YOU READY? ARE YOU READY? 39 What to do before thunderstorms Thunderstorms approach 1. Know the terms used by weather forecasters: • Severe Thunderstorm Watch— Tells you when and where severe thunderstorms are likely to occur. Watch the sky and stay tuned to ra- dio or television to know when warn- ings are issued. • Severe Thunderstorm Warning— Issued when severe weather has been reported by spotters or indi- cated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property to those in the path of the storm. 2. Know thunderstorm facts: • Thunderstorms may occur singly, hunderstorms are very common in clusters, or in lines. and affect great numbers of people Teach year. Despite their small • Some of the most severe weather size in comparison to hur- occurs when a single thunder- ricanes and winter storms, storm affects one location for all thunderstorms are dan- When an extended time. gerous. Every thunderstorm thunderstorms • Thunderstorms typically produces lightning. Other threaten your produce heavy rain for a brief associated dangers of thun- area, get inside period, anywhere from 30 min- derstorms include tornadoes, a home, building utes to an hour. strong winds, hail, and flash • Warm, humid conditions are flooding. Flash flooding is or hard top very favorable for thunder- responsible for more fatali- automobile and storm development. ties— more than 140 annu- stay away from ally— than any other thun- metallic objects • A typical thunderstorm is derstorm-associated hazard. and fixtures. 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of 30 minutes. Some thunderstorms do not produce rain that reaches • Of the estimated 100,000 the ground. These are generically referred thunderstorms each year in the to as dry thunderstorms and are most United States, about 10 percent are prevalent in the western United States. classified as severe. Known to spawn wildfires, these storms • A thunderstorm is classified as occur when there is a large layer of dry severe if it produces hail at least air between the base of the cloud and the three-quarters of an inch in diam- ground. The falling raindrops evaporate, eter, has winds of 58 miles per hour but lightning can still reach the ground. or higher, or produces a tornado. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY 40 ARE YOU READY? ARE YOU READY? 41 3. Know the calculation to determine how disorders, numbness, dizziness, stiffness close you are to a thunderstorm: in joints, irritability, fatigue, weakness, • Count the number of seconds be- muscle spasms, depression, and an tween a flash of lightning and the inability to sit for a long period of time. next clap of thunder. Divide this When thunderstorms threaten your area, number by 5 to determine the dis- get inside a home, building or hard top tance to the lightning in miles. automobile (not a convertible) and stay 4. Remove dead or rotting trees and away from metallic objects and fixtures. branches that could fall and cause 1. If you are inside a home: injury or damage during a severe thun- derstorm. • Avoid showering or bathing. Plumb- ing and bathroom fixtures can con- 5. When a thunderstorm approaches, duct electricity. secure outdoor objects that could blow • Avoid using a corded telephone, away or cause damage. except for emergencies. Cord- Shutter windows, if less and cellular telephones possible, and secure are safe to use. outside doors. If shutters If a Tornado are not available, close Warning • Unplug appliances and window blinds, shades, other electrical items such as or curtains. is issued, computers and turn off air take shelter conditioners. Power surges immediately. from lightning can cause serious damage. Lightning • Use your battery operated NOAA Weather Radio for he ingredient that de- updates from local officials. Tfines a thunderstorm is lightning. Since lightning creates thunder, 2. If outside, with no time to reach a safe a storm producing lightning is called a location, follow these recommenations: thunderstorm. • In a forest, seek shelter in a low Lightning occurs during all thunder- area under a thick growth of small storms. Lightning results from the trees. buildup and discharge of electrical energy • In open areas, go to a low place between positively and negatively charged such as a ravine or valley. Be alert areas. for flash floods. The unpredictability of lightning increases • Do not stand under a natural light- the risk to individuals and property. In ning rod, such as a tall, isolated tree the United States, an average of 300 in an open area. people are injured and 80 people are killed • Do not stand on a hilltop, in an open each year by lightning. Although most field, on the beach or in a boat on lightning victims survive, people struck the water. by lightning often report a variety of • Avoid isolated sheds or other small long-term, debilitating symptoms, includ- structures in open areas. ing memory loss, attention deficits, sleep FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY 40 ARE YOU READY? ARE YOU READY? 41 • Get away from open water. If you your local emergency management are boating or swimming, get to land office or American Red Cross chapter and find shelter immediately. for information on CPR and first aid • Get away from anything metal— classes. tractors, farm equipment, motor- • “Heat lightning” is actually lightning cycles, golf carts, golf clubs and from a thunderstorm too far away for bicycles. thunder to be heard. However, the • Stay away from wire fences, clothes- storm may be moving in your direc- lines, metal pipes, rails and other tion! metallic paths that could carry • Most lightning deaths and injuries lightning to you from some distance occur when people are caught out- away. doors in the summer months during • If you feel your hair stand on end the afternoon and evening. (which indicates that lightning is • Many fires in the western United about to strike), squat low to the States and Alaska are started by ground on the balls of your feet. lightning. Place your hands over your ears • Lightning can occur from cloud- and your head between your knees. to-cloud, within a cloud, cloud-to- Make yourself the smallest target ground, or cloud-to-air. possible and minimize your contact with the ground. DO NOT lie flat on • Your chances of being struck by the ground. lightning are estimated to be 1 in 600,000 but could be even less by 3. Remember the following facts and following safety tips. safety tips about lightning. Safety Tips: Facts: • Postpone outdoor activities if thun- • Lightning often strikes outside of derstorms are likely. heavy rain and may occur as far as • Remember the 30/30 lightning 10 miles away from any rainfall. safety rule – Go indoors if, after see- • Lightning-strike victims carry no ing lighting, you cannot count to 30 electrical charge and should be before hearing thunder. Stay indoors attended to immediately. If breath- for 30 minutes after hearing the last ing has stopped, begin mouth-to- clap of thunder. mouth resuscitation. If the heart has • Rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires stopped, a trained person should provide NO protection from lightning. administer CPR. If the victim has a However, the steel frame of a hard- pulse and is breathing, look for oth- topped vehicle provides increased er possible injuries. Check for burns protection if you are not touching where the lightning entered and left metal. Although you may be injured the body. Be alert also for nervous if lightning strikes your car, you system damage, broken bones, and are much safer inside a vehicle than loss of hearing or eyesight. Contact outside. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY 42 ARE YOU READY? ARE YOU READY? 43 tornadoes have been known to move in Tornadoes any direction. 5. The average forward speed is 30 mph but may vary from stationary to 70 mph with rotating winds that can reach 300 miles per hour. 6. Tornadoes can accompany tropical storms and hurricanes as they move onto land. 7. Waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water. 8. Tornadoes are most frequently report- ed east of the Rocky Mountains during spring and summer months but can ornadoes are nature’s most violent occur in any state at any time of year. storms. Spawned from powerful thun- T 9. In the southern states, peak tornado derstorms, tornadoes can uproot trees, season is March through May, while destroy buildings and turn harmless objects peak months in the northern states into deadly missiles. They can devastate a are during the late spring and early neighborhood in seconds. summer. A tornado appears as a rotating, funnel- 10. Tornadoes are most likely to occur shaped cloud that extends to the ground between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., but can with whirling winds that can reach 300 occur at any time of the day or night. miles per hour. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. Every state is at some risk from this hazard. What to do before tornadoes threaten Tornado facts 1. Know the terms used to describe 1. A tornado is a violently rotating column tornado threats: of air extending from a thunderstorm to • Tornado Watch— Tornadoes the ground. are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Listen to your 2. Tornadoes are capable of destroying battery-operated NOAA Weather Ra- homes and vehicles and can cause fa- dio or local radio/television outlets talities. for updated reports. 3. Tornadoes may strike quickly, with little • Tornado Warning — A tornado has or no warning. been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately. 4. Tornadoes may appear nearly transpar- ent until dust and debris are picked 2.
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