Severe Weather

Severe storms strike quickly. Thunderstorms can produce heavy rain, strong winds, lightning, hail, and tornadoes. Respond promptly to these threats posed by a storm in your area.

Make sure you have multiple methods of getting alerts for severe weather. Listen to local meteorologists, use NOAA weather radio, and subscribe to alerting tools. Register at www.bcalert.com for free local alerts.

The most destructive and devastating product of a thunderstorm, tornadoes are characterized by a funnel-shaped cloud, which forms at the bottom of a wall cloud and reaches the ground. Tornadoes are more often than not accompanied by lightning, heavy rain, and hail.

While tornadoes can occur all year, they are most common in the spring and summer months, where they develop along dry lines. Dry lines separate very warm, moist air to the east from hot, dry air to the west. Most tornadoes in the state occur in the afternoon or early evening as these dry lines move east.

Know the difference between a WATCH and a WARNING:

   – Tornado Watch: Conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes.

   – Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter  

       immediately

Before a Tornado: Identify a safe room in the basement of your home. If no basement, find an area in the interior most portion of your home away from windows. Use the D.U.C.K. acronym to determine your best shelter options.

D – Down to the lowest level of your home.

U – Get Under something sturdy if possible.

C – shelter in the Centermost portion of your home          

      away from exterior walls.

K – Keep in your shelter until the storm has passed.

 If you have a tornado shelter, consider registering your shelter. Have an emergency kit packed and placed in your safe room, as it may take time before help arrives. Consider keeping a helmet and sturdy shoes inside the shelter, as it could be hazardous outside of your shelter once the storm has passed.

If outside during a tornado and no storm shelter is available, possible actions include: take shelter in a vehicle, buckle seat belt, and cover head and arms. Do not seek shelter under an overpass or bridge; you are safer in a flat, low-lying area.

During lightning storms, seek shelter inside or under a thick canopy. “When thunder roars, go indoors”. If on the water, head to shore immediately. Avoid natural lightning rods such as an isolated tree in an open area. Unplug electrical devices and refrain from use.

For additional severe weather safety information, go to: https://www.ready.gov/severe-weather.