weather safety tips

Please click on the links below for information.
Flooding
Thunderstorms and Lightning
Tornados

flooding

Flash floods can come rapidly and unexpectedly - Be cautious during storms.
Do not walk through flowing water - Six inches of swiftly moving water can knock you off your feet and you never how deep the water is.
Do not drive through a flooded area - Cars can be carried away or you may get trapped. Turn around and find an alternate route or seek higher ground. If your car stalls in water, abandon it immediately.
Stay away from power lines and electrical wires - You can get electrocuted and electrical currents can travel through water. Report downed power lines to your utility company immediately.
Turn off your electricity when you get home - You can get shocked even after appliances have been unplugged. Never use wet appliances.
Watch where you step - The ground, after a flood, can be covered with debris, including glass, nails, etc.
Be alert for gas leaks - Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. Don't smoke or use candles, lanterns, or open flames unless you are sure that the gas has been turned off and the area has been aired out.
Be cautious with equipment - Use generators or other gasoline-powered machines outdoors only. Be sure you have a working carbon monoxide alarm.
Clean everything that got wet - Flood waters are a breeding ground for bacteria. Sewage backup and chemicals can be floating around so be sure to throw out food, cosmetics and medicine that may have come in contact with contaminated water. If you're unsure, toss it out.

Drive carefully - Be sure to have your headlights on so other drivers can see you and leave enough room for braking on slick roads. Pull off the road and turn on your emergency flashers in severe rain. Check your windshield wipers and tires regularly to insure that they are ready for severe weather. Approach intersections with caution.
Have disaster supplies on hand - Flashlights and extra batteries, emergency food and water, first-aid kits.
If outside - Seek shelter in a sturdy building to protect yourself from lightning. If you are in a car during lightning storms, stay in the car and keep the windows up. If no shelter is nearby, find a low spot away from trees, fences, and poles. If you are in the woods, take shelter under the shortest trees.
Stay away from power lines and electrical wires - They may still have live electricity.
Telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity - Unplug appliances not necessary for obtaining weather information. Use phones only in emergencies.
Cover windows - Draw blinds and shades over windows to prevent windows shattering into your home.
If someone is struck by lightning - Call 911 immediately.

Look & Listen - Large hail, heavy rain, strong winds, greenish sky, frequent intense lightning, a dark and low-flying cloud (particularly if rotating), a loud roar that is similar to a freight train. These can be possible indicators of a tornado so be aware.
Seek safe shelter - A basement is the best place to find shelter. Never choose upstairs locations. If no basement is available, choose a small closet or bathroom and get in the tub if there are no glass tub enclosures or large mirrors nearby.
Cover yourself - Debris can fly through the air so get under heavy furniture or cover yourself with blankets, pillows, or coats. Wear shoes to protect your feet from broken glass and other debris and protect your head and chest by staying low to the ground.
If outside with no shelter - Lie flat in a ditch and cover your head. Be aware of the potential for flooding. Do not get under an overpass or bridge; you are safer in a low,flat location. Never try to outrun a tornado.
If driving - Never try to outrun a tornado. Pull over and leave your vehicle immediately and seek shelter or a low, flat location.
Be aware of safety issues brought on by the tornado - Broken glass and other debris, downed power lines, gas leaks, contaminated water, damaged electrical wiring, weak building structures, slippery floors, fallen trees, chemical spills, dead animals, flooded areas, fires. Notify local authorities about any of these health and safety issues.