Thunderstorms and Lightning

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Thunderstorms and Lightning
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Facts About Thunderstorms

• Storms may occur singly, in clusters, or in lines
• Storms can be most severe when affecting one
  location for an extended time
• Storms typically produce heavy rain for a brief
  period

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Facts About Thunderstorms

• Warm, humid conditions are favorable for storm
  development
• Ten percent of storms are severehigh winds and
  hail

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Facts About Lightning

• Unpredictability increases the risk to
  individuals and property
• Lightning often strikes outside of rainfall
• Heat lightning is from a far away storm

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Facts About Lightning

• Most deaths and injuries occur outside in summer
  months
• Your chance of being struck by lightning 1 in
  600,000
• Lightning strike victims carry no electrical
  charge and should be attended to immediately

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Know the Terms

• Severe thunderstorm watchthunderstorms are
  likely listen to radio or TV for information
• Severe thunderstorm warningsevere weather has
  been reported imminent danger to life and
  property

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Before Thunderstorms and Lightning

• To prepare for a thunderstorm
• Remove dead or rotting trees
• Remember the 30/30 lightning safety rule

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Before Thunderstorms and Lightning

• Postpone outdoor activities
• Get inside a home, building, or hard top
  automobile
• Remember rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires
  provide no protection

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Before Thunderstorms and Lightning

• Secure outdoor objects
• Shutter windows and secure outside doors

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Before Thunderstorms and Lightning

• Avoid showering or bathing
• Avoid using corded telephones
• Unplug appliances
• Listen to a battery-operated radio for
  information

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During a Thunderstorm

• If you are outside
• Avoid natural lightning rods hilltops, open
  fields, beaches, or a boat on the water
• Avoid isolated sheds or small structures in open
  areas
• Avoid anything metal
• Seek shelter in a low area

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During Thunderstorms and Lightning

• If you are on open water
• Get to land and find shelter immediately

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During Thunderstorms and Lightning

• If you feel your hair stand on end
• Squat low to the ground place hands over ears,
  head between knees
• Make yourself the smallest target possible

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After a Thunderstorm

• To assist a victim of lightning
• Call 9-1-1 as soon as possible
• Check
• Breathing
• Heartbeat
• Pulse