With the recent storms in the county, and the potential for more to come this spring, it’s important to be prepared. If you have been lucky enough to bypass the damage to your home or property thus far, be thankful. But it is time to get prepared before the next storm hits.
Before the spring thunderstorms continue it is a good idea to remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and injure someone or damage property.
As a thunderstorm and lighting approaches it is important to secure outdoor objects that could blow away and cause damage. Unplug any electronic equipment and get inside a home, building or hard top automobile. You may still be injured if lighting strikes your car, but you are much safer inside a vehicle than outside. Also keep in mind that rubber soled shoes and tires provide NO protection from lighting.
Once a storm is upon you, avoid contact with corded phones or devices including cell phones plugged into electric outlets for recharging. Power surges from lighting can cause damage so it is a good idea to unplug electrical items during thunderstorms. This includes turning off the air conditioning system. Also, avoid plumbing. Do not wash your hands, take showers, wash dishes or do laundry as plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity.
Likewise stay away from doors, windows and off porches. Do not lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls. And since you should not still be outside, staying away from trees, hilltops, open fields or being on open water should not be an issue.
Try to avoid contact with anything metal, this includes farm equipment, golf carts, and bicycles. If you are caught out on the roads and need to safely pull off, be certain to turn on the emergency flashers and avoid touching metal or other surfaces that conduct electricity outside the vehicle.
And most important, stay aware of the changing weather situations by listening to the radio; it’s a good idea to have a battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio for updates. Information above is for a thunderstorm with lightening, precautions for tornado weather differs.
Information from this article can be found on the TAMU EDEN website and http://www.ready.gov/thunderstorms-lightning
