The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch at 5:22 p.m. Thursday, valid until 6 p.m. for Jefferson County.
Residents should be prepared for wind gusts up to 60 mph.
“At 5:22 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located over Mountain Brook and has nearly stopped,” the weather service said. “Expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.”
Locations affected by the advisory include Birmingham, Vestavia Hills, Homewood, Mountain Brook, Irondale, Cahaba Heights, Kingston, Five Points South, The Summit, UAB Campus, Samford University, Lake Purdy, Brook Highland, Ruffner Mountain, Birmingham Zoo, Liberty Park , Vulcan Park and Highland Park Golf Course.
The weather service adds: “For your protection, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.”
Preparing for a Lightning Strike: Safety Advice from Experts
Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for taking the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as storms approach, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually decreasing as it moves away.
To protect yourself during a storm, consider these recommendations:
Lightning safety plan:
- When venturing outdoors, it is essential to have a clear plan in place for seeking shelter in the event of lightning.
- Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for threatening signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it is a clear indication of nearby lightning.
- Find a safe place to take shelter, preferably indoors.
Indoor safety measures:
- Once you have found shelter indoors, avoid using corded telephones, electrical appliances or plumbing fixtures, and avoid approaching windows and doors.
- These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive paths.
Wait for the green light:
- After the last lightning or thunder, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
- Lightning can strike even when the storm appears to have passed, so be careful.
When there is no indoor shelter available:
If you are outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a storm, follow these steps to maximize your safety:
- Avoid open fields, hilltops or mountain ridges as they expose you to a higher risk of lightning.
- Stay away from tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to smaller groups of trees.
- If you are in a group, make sure individuals are spaced apart to prevent electrical current from being transferred between people.
- Camping outdoors during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If there is no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying area. Remember that a tent does not provide protection from lightning.
- Avoid going near bodies of water, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they are effective conductors of electricity and can pose significant risks.
In short, when faced with the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparation are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.
Driving in torrential rain: Safety guidelines for wet roads
Heavy rains can lead to flooding if prolonged or if there is excessive runoff. Excessive runoff can be a result of saturated soil and/or rainfall intensity. Follow these recommendations from the weather service to stay safe in heavy rains:
Beware of swollen waterways:
In case of heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near storm drains or drainage ditches, where fast-moving water can pose a great danger.
Keep safe distances when driving:
Follow the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.
Slow down and drive carefully:
On wet roads, reducing speed is crucial. Ease off the accelerator pedal gradually and avoid sudden braking to avoid skidding.
Choose your lane wisely:
Stay in the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. The outer lanes are more prone to water accumulation.
Prioritize visibility
Turn on your headlights and watch out for other vehicles behind you and in your blind spot, as it is especially difficult to see them through rain-spattered windows.
Beware of slippery roads:
The first half hour of rain is when the roads are most slippery due to a mix of rain, dirt and oil. Be extra careful during this time.
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:
Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Be careful when passing them too; if you have to pass them, do so quickly and safely.
Be careful with windshield wipers:
Overloaded wiper blades can impair visibility. If rain severely limits your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek shelter in rest areas or protected spots.
When stopping on the side of the road is your only option, position your vehicle as far away from the road as possible, ideally beyond the guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate your hazard lights to alert other drivers to your position.
In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and follow local authorities’ advice for safe travel.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
from Tampopo https://ift.tt/HMVD0oQ
