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Sometimes thunderstorms, especially the ones that are severe, can be a threatening experience to your home and family. Learn how to protect your property as well as your loved ones and get prepared in advance for oncoming storms.
Dark, low rolling clouds,lightning, and thunder are the usual signs of an approaching thunderstorm. You can figure out how close a thunderstorm is to your location by waiting for the next lightning flash. Immediately after you see it, start counting the seconds until you hear the next clap of thunder. Divide this number by 5 and the answer will be the approximate number in miles that the thunderstorm is away from you.
The first thing you need to have on hand in order to be properly prepared is a portable, battery-operated radio with an extra set of fully-charged batteries. You should monitor the local weather forecasts issued by the National Weather Service and listen closely for advisories of severe thunderstorm watches or warnings, flash flood warnings, and tornado watches or warnings.
Some other emergency supplies you should have on hand are spare flashlights, spare batteries, a complete first aid kit, a food supply as well as an emergency supply of clean water, and some heavy blankets. Don't forget to pack a hand crank can opener in the box along with the canned food.
If you are inside when a thunderstorm comes up, it is best to stay inside if atall possible. Turn off televisions, satellite receivers, air conditioning units, and all other unnecessary electrical appliances. Stay off of the telephone-unless you need to make an emergency call- and do not use bathtubs, shower stalls, or sinks at this time. Copper or other types of metal plumbing pipes can act as conductors of electricity. Lightning can strike your electrical or telephone lines outside your house and the electricity can travel into your house. You or your family could get electrocuted by having any contact with the plumbing pipes or anything they are connected to. Also, close the windows and the doors of your home.
If your home is located in a low-lying area, or inan area that is prone to flooding, be prepared to evacuate your premises in a moment's notice. Move to safety in an area where the ground is higher.
If you happened to be caught outside in the open during a thunderstorm, try to get to a safe haven as soon as possible, preferably a low spot of ground which is away from tall trees, electric and telephone lines, ponds, rivers, and lakes. Crouch down low to the ground. Don't lie on the ground as you want as little contact with the ground as possible in case lightning would strike.
If you are caught in a vehicle, be especially alert to falling trees, power lines, and debris on the roadway, as well as flooded roadways caused by the thunderstorm. If heavy rains hinder your driving vision, pull off the road into a parking lot or other safe area until the rain slacks off. Remember to turn your vehicle's emergency flashers on so you can be seen if you are forced to pull off along the side of the roadway.
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