Be Prepared for Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms can be one of nature’s most beautiful shows. I have sat and watched many storms and marveled at what nature can do. I have also seen some major damage done in matter of minutes by the wind and hard rains that come along with the storms. Storms are more than just rain, noise and flashing light, they can be deadly if you are not protected. Thunderstorms can involve flash flooding, hail, damaging winds, and spawn tornados. It is very important to know how to protect yourself if you are caught in a thunderstorm.

If you are caught in a thunderstorm, whether it sounds distant or right on top of you, get indoors. If you cannot reach somewhere indoors stay in your car, but do not touch anything metal. Do not try to drive through a storm if you can help it, hard rains make it difficult to see. If you are having trouble seeing, so is that oncoming traffic heading straight toward you. If you are driving in a hailstorm, find the closest drive thru with a roof and stay there. Banks work really well for that purpose. If you cannot find shelter stay away from isolated trees, poles, or posts. Try to stay crouched with your head down, to keep from being the tallest thing. Make sure you stay out of standing water. If you are out in the water, come in at the first signs of a storm, DON’T WAIT! Do not play with your life and others.

If you do make it indoors stay away from windows, even though it is so tempting to see what is going on out there. Do not use the computer, phone, take a bath, or wash dishes. Lightning can strike the plumbing and the electric wires in your home and this would cause electric shock. Turn off the television and unplug the computer. I have had many friends lose their computer to a power surge when the power came back on. You can also lower the blinds in case of a window getting broke; this will help the glass from being thrown. Do not go outside in a thunderstorm if you can help it. This is just a few examples of what you need to do in case of a thunderstorm.

The best protection from a thunderstorm is being prepared for it before hand. Watch the weather if the sky starts looking ominous, or you hear distant thunder. Check the weather channel to see warnings that are listed around your area, and watch to see if it is heading your direction. You can buy weather radios that will let you know every time severe weather is happening. Cut down any dead trees you may have around your home, these will come down if the wind gets bad enough. Have plenty of flashlights and batteries so you are prepared if the power does go off. Make sure your children know what to do if a thunderstorm hits and you are not home. These days we seem to be having more severe weather than what we are use to, so try to be as prepared as possible.