The Newsletter of the Buffalo Forecast Office
Page 3
Thunderstorm and Lightning Safety
Before the Storm...
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Develop a plan for you and your family for home, work, school, and when outdoors.
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Have frequent drills.
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Know the county or parish in which you live and the names of nearby major cities. Severe weather warnings are
issued on a county or parish basis.
·
Check the weather forecast before leaving for extended periods outdoors.
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Watch for signs of approaching storms.
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If a storm is approaching, keep a NOAA Weather Radio or AM/FM radio with you.
·
Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent. This is your best way to avoid being caught in a
dangerous situation.
·
Check on those who have trouble taking shelter if severe weather threatens.
When Thunderstorms Approach...
·
Remember: if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter
immediately!
·
Move to a sturdy building or car. Do not take shelter in small sheds, under isolated trees, or in convertible
automobiles.
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If lightning is occurring and a sturdy shelter is not available, get inside a hard top automobile and keep windows up.
·
Get out of boats and away from water.
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Telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity. Unplug appliances not necessary for obtaining weather
information. Avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances. Use phones ONLY in an emergency.
·
Do not take a bath or shower.
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Turn off air conditioners. Power surges from lightning can overload the compressors.
·
Get to higher ground if flash flooding or flooding is possible. Once flooding begins, abandon cars and climb to higher
ground. Do not attempt to drive to safety. Note: Most flash flood deaths occur in automobiles.
If Caught Outdoors and No Shelter Is Nearby...
·
Find a low spot away from trees, fences, and poles. Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding.
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If you are in the woods, take shelter under the shorter trees.
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If you feel your skin tingle or your hair stand on end, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your
hands on your knees with your head between them. Make yourself the smallest target possible, and minimize your
contact with the ground.
·
If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter immediately!
The 30/30 Rule of Lightning
WATCH
Safety
Conditions are favorable for severe
weather in or near the watch area.
30 Seconds: Count the
Watches are issued for tornadoes,
seconds between seeing
severe thunderstorms and flash
the lightning and hearing
floods.
the thunder. If this time is
30 seconds or less, then
the lightning is close
WARNING
enough to be a threat.
Seek shelter immediately.
The severe weather event is immi-
nent or occurring in the warned area.
30 Minutes: After seeing the last lightning flash, wait 30
Warnings are issued for tornadoes,
minutes before leaving shelter. More than half of lightning
severe thunderstorms, flash floods
deaths occur after the thunderstorm has passed. Stay in
and river flooding
a safe area until you are sure the threat has passed.