Severe Weather Safety

Finally, Spring has arrived. Since Mother Nature is not always friendly this time of year, it’s best to prepare for severe weather and have a plan of action in place. Here are a few ways you can remain safe:

THUNDERSTORMS & LIGHTNING: Stay indoors, away from windows and open doors in case it hails. Before the storm arrives, unplug televisions and computers. Avoid bathtubs, water faucets, and sinks because electric currents from lightning can travel through wires and pipes. If outdoors, seek shelter immediately, such as the inside of a car, and close the windows.

FLOODING: Stay tuned to your local news station and take flash flood warnings seriously. Evacuate if told to do so. If you find yourself in the midst of a flood, move to the highest ground you can find.

TORNADOES: When indoors, seek shelter in the lowest level of the structure, and keep away from windows and glass doors. Interior hallways, restrooms, or interior stairwells provide the safest refuge. If outside, lie flat in a ditch or ground depression and cover your head with your hands. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. If in a vehicle, keep your seat belt on, put your head below windows, and cover your head.

WILDFIRES: Pay attention to the local Air Quality Index (AQI), health warnings about smoke, and visibility guidelines on the news, particularly if you suffer from respiratory ailments such as asthma. Pack a small suitcase and prepare yourself and your vehicle to evacuate if told to do so.