Emergency Response Guidelines

Thunderstorms

A thunderstorm develops in an unstable atmosphere when warm moist air near the earth’s surface rises quickly and cools. The moisture condenses to form rain droplets and dark thunderclouds called cumulonimbus clouds. There storms are often accompanied by hail, lightning, high winds, heavy rain and tornadoes. Thunderstorms are usually over in an hour although a series of thunderstorms can last for several hours.

HAIL:

Hail forms when updrafts in thunderclouds carry raindrops upwards into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere. The raindrops freeze and are bounced around in the powerful winds within a thunderstorm while new layers of ice are added. Eventually, the hailstones grow too heavy to be supported by the updrafts and fall to the ground. Some hailstones are the size of peas, while others can be as big as grapefruits.

LIGHTNING:

Refer to Lightning tab for further information.

TORNADOES:

Refer to Tornadoes tab for further information.

In Doors

a. Stay away from doors and windows;
b. DO NOT use a corded telephone, except in an emergency. Cordless and cellular telephones are safer to use;
c. Take off head sets;
d. Turn off, unplug and stay away from appliances, computers, power tools and televisions. Power surges from lightning can cause serious damage; and
e. Avoid showering or bathing. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity.

Out Doors

a. Take shelter, preferably in a building; failing this, in a depressed area such as a ditch or a culvert, but never under a tree.
b. In heavy rain, be on the look out for flash floods.
c. Do not ride bicycles, motorcycles or golf carts or use metal shovels or golf clubs, as they conduct electricity.

Safety Tips

a. Keep a watchful eye to changes in the weather;
b. Carry a portable weather radio;
c. If a thunderstorm watch/warning has been issued consider postponing any outdoor activities;
d. Remember the 30 – 30 lightning safety rule – go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder; and
e. Rubber soled shoes and rubber tires provide NO protection from lightning. The Steel frame of a hard topped vehicle does provide increased protection if you are not touching metal. Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer inside a vehicle than outside

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