Different Types of Storms

5/5/2017 (Permalink)

Tornadoes 

Tornadoes can strike without warning and destroy a community in seconds. Before a tornado warning is issued for your area, here are some things you should do:

1. Know your warning system for your community.


2. Pick a place where you know your family members can gather if a tornado is headed your way. It could be a basement or, if there isn't a basement, a center hallway, bathroom, or even a closet on the lowest floor. Keep the places uncluttered.


3. If you are in a high up building and do not have enough time to go down to the lowest floor, pick a space in the hallway in the center of the home or business.


4. Remove diseased and damaged limbs from trees.


5. Move or secure lawn furniture, trash cans, hanging plants or anything else that can be picked up by the wind and become a projectile.

Thunderstorm Safety Steps

Thunderstorms injure an average of 300 people every year, and can cause about 80 fatalities. These are the top thunderstorm safety steps you should follow:

1. If you can hear the thunder, you are definitely close enough to the storm to be struck by any lightning. Go to a safe shelter immediately.


2. As the storm approaches, take shelter in a building.


3. If you are driving down the road, pull off of the roadway and park your car. Stay inside of the car with all the windows up and closed and turn on your emergency flashers. Avoid touching any metal or other surfaces that can conduct electricity in and outside of the vehicle.


4. If you happen to be inside. unplug appliances and avoid using the telephone or any other electrical appliances. Avoid taking a bath or shower, or running water for any other purpose.


5. If you happen to be caught outside and cannot reach any safe buildings, avoid any high ground, water, tall, isolated trees and metal objects such as fences or bleachers. Picnic shelters, dugouts and sheds are not safe.

Flooding

Heavy rains can fill rivers and streams, and bring flooding to the area. If your neighborhood is threatened with the possibility of flooding, here are some things you can do:

1. Be prepared to evacuate immediately. When a flood or even a flash flood warning is issued for your area make sure you head for higher ground and you stay there.


2. Stay away from any floodwaters.


3. If you come upon any flooded road while you are driving, turn directly around and go a different path. If you are caught on any flooded roads and waters happen to be rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to some higher ground. Most cars can be immediately swept away by less than two feet of moving water.


4. Keep children out of the water. 


5. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize any flood danger.