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IN THE EVENT OF A THUNDERSTORM:
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.
Before the tornado:
Knowing that your area is prone to tornadoes is the first step in becoming prepared for one. The key to being safe is to have a plan. Knowing what you will do when a tornado is approaching will help you get out of harms way, fast.
Some steps to prepare for a tornado can take place any day of the year; these include:
• Planning what you would do in the event a tornado watch or warning is issued.
• Purchase a weather radio
• Designate a tornado shelter and route to it
When forecasters determine that tornadoes are possible in your area, a tornado watch will be issued. This is your clue to:
• Tune in your radio and stay tuned to future weather updates and listen for possible warnings.
• Check on the elderly, children that may be in school or at a friend's house, and your pets.
• Stay close to safe shelter in the event a warning is issued and be ready to act quickly.
A tornado watch can turn into a warning from a half-hour to a just a few minutes in advance of a tornado. While improving technology lets forecasters to predict weather further in advance with a greater degree of accuracy, there are still occasions when nature throws a surprise at us, spinning up a tornado with little or no warning.
If a tornado WARNING is issued for your location, take the following steps immediately if you are at home:
* Go at once to the basement, storm cellar, or the lowest level of the building.
* If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a smaller inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.
* Get away from the windows.
* Go to the center of the room. Debris can sometimes come through walls.
* Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.
* If you have time, get a mattress or blankets to protect your head and the heads of any children with you. If you don't have time, use your arms to protect your head and neck.
* If you live in a mobile home, get out and find shelter elsewhere in a permanent building.
A tornado could threaten you when you are away from home, in a car, a building, or a park. Here are several steps you can take:.
If at work or school:
* Go to the basement or to an inside hallway at the lowest level.
* Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, or shopping malls.
* Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.
* Use your arms to protect your head and neck.
If outdoors:
* If possible, get inside a building.
* If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
* Use arms to protect head and neck.
If in a car:
* Never try to out drive a tornado in a car or truck. Tornadoes can change direction quickly and can lift up a car or truck and toss it through the air.
* Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.
* If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle.
* Be aware of the potential for flooding.
After the tornado
The aftermath of a tornado can be devastating, but knowing what to do after a tornado strikes will make the recovery effort easier, quicker and safer.
• Listen to local officials, and emergency management personnel.
• Stay away from downed power lines and other harmful debris.
• Remain calm, especially around children.
• Check on the elderly and your pets.
• Use a flashlight and not candles to inspect damage.
• Check for any gas leaks and turn the valves off if there's a leak
• Turn off electricity if there are signs of sparks.
• Watch for any loose debris that could fall.
• Take pictures of your damaged property for insurance claims.
What to do when a flood watch or warning is issued:
A flood watch means flooding is possible in and around the watch area.
This is your clue to be prepared in the event a warning is issued
You may wish to move valuable items, including furniture, to higher ground
A flood WARNING means flooding is occurring or
imminent.
Stay tuned to radio, television outlets for further information
Evacuate if told to do so
A flash flood watch means that flash floods are possible in and around the watch area.
This is your clue to be prepared to act quickly in the event a warning is issued
A flash flood WARNING means flash flooding is occurring or imminent. Seek higher ground immediately!
Evacuate immediately! Seconds could be the difference between life and death.
Move to higher ground, away from rivers, streams and drainage systems.
If your car stalls in rapidly rising water, abandon it and climb to higher ground.
An urban and small stream flooding advisory means flooding is occurring or imminent in urban areas, but is expected to be more of an inconvenience rather than life-threatening. Flooding of low-lying and poor drainage areas is likely and small streams may reach bankfull.