Severe Weather Awareness Week: Severe Thunderstorms

Severe Thunderstorms-The National Weather Service considers a storm severe if it has winds of 58+ mph, or at least ¾” in diameter (penny sized). Straight-line winds that occur ahead of, or inside a thunderstorm can cause damage equal to or greater than a tornado. Thunderstorms always produce lightning, which is responsible for more deaths in the United States than tornadoes. Hail from thunderstorms can cause injury and damage to vehicles, structures, and trees.

Preparing for a Severe Thunderstorm

• Get an Emergency Alert Radio.
• Ensure you have a disaster supply kit which contains plenty of water, non-perishable food, manual can opener, flashlight, radio, batteries, medications, and first aid kit.
• Keep trees and shubbery trimmed. Remove damaged limbs and branches. These can become airborne missiles in high winds.
• Consider permanent shutters for windows.

Before a Severe Thunderstorm

• Monitor weather conditions.
• Make sure your Emergency Alert Radio is set to receive alerts for Etowah County (SAME code 001055).
• Insure that you have working flashlights and a battery operated radio in case of a power failure
• Make sure your cell phone is fully charged.
• Cancel or postpone outdoor plans until bad weather has passed.
• Secure outdoor furniture or light objects that can be blown away in high winds.
• Pull automobiles under a garage or shed if possible to protect from hail.

During a Severe Thunderstorm

• If outdoors, get indoors immediately. If caught outside of a substantial structure, seek shelter inside an automobile (unless a tornado warning has been issued). If none of these are available, crouch down with only your feet on the ground (do not lie flat).
• Shut blinds or curtains to shield from possible broken glass.
• Avoid contact with electrical appliances and plumbing. You may use cordless or wireless phones, but not wired phones.
• If driving, pull off to the side of the road where safe. Avoid heavily wooded areas and standing or flowing water on roads. Turn on emergency blinkers.