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Watches and Warnings |
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Safety Information |
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During severe thunderstorms, the air near a lightning
strike is heated to 50,000 degrees; hotter than the surface of the
sun. So what should you do when thunderstorms approach? Remain indoors
away from windows, electrical appliances and avoid using home
phones.
Automobiles can be the safest location during a lightning storm. If
you're caught outside, find a low spot and
crouch down on the balls of your feet with your feet together. Limit
contact with the ground and avoid being the tallest object.
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A few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall can cause
flash flooding. Surprisingly enough, more weather deaths can be
blamed on flash flooding than any other type of severe weather.
Nearly half of all flash flooding fatalities are auto related. The
key to survival during flooding is to avoid running water, such as
you would find in swollen streams and low water crossings. Drive
cautiously, never go through road blocks or travel over flooded
roads. Shallow water, one foot deep can carry your car off the road.
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Tornadoes are
nature's most violent storms. If you think you're in the path of a tornado get to a secure home or building. Avoid mobile homes. Head for the basement, if you have
one, or go to the center of the room on the lowest floor, away from
windows. A bathroom or central closet provides better protection.
Use blankets or a mattress to protect yourself and others from
flying debris. If caught outside or in a vehicle, do not try to
outrun the tornado in your car; lie flat in a
nearby ditch or depression.
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Strong winds and heavy accumulations of ice
and snow can bring down trees, utility poles and
power lines. Small amounts of ice can be an
extreme hazard to motorists and pedestrians.
Prolonged exposure to extreme cold may cause
frostbite or hypothermia which could be life
threatening, especially to infants and elderly. Snow, sleet and freezing rain make up
the winter precipitation types during a storm.
If you lose power during a storm, use space
heaters, a fireplace or a wood stove to keep
warm. |
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