SPRINGTIME CAN BRING SEVERE WEATHER

4/27/2016 (Permalink)

With the spring season comes lush green lawns, colorful flowering trees and warmer sunny days. However, spring can also be the prime season for severe weather. According to the American Red Cross, there are steps that can be taken to help ensure your safety if dangerous weather is predicted in your community.

Tornadoes often occur during the spring season between the hours of 3:00 and 9:00pm. The following are a few safety steps that can be taken to be ready if a tornado warning is issued is your area:

·        Know your community’s warning system

·        Pick a safe room in your home for your family to meet if a tornado is headed your way. This room should be a basement, storm cellar, or interior room on the lowest floor and should have no windows.

·        Prepare your lawn for strong winds by removing damaged limbs from trees and securing lawn furniture, trash cans, hanging plants, etc.

Thunderstorms are also common in the afternoon and evening hours in the spring and can produce very dangerous lightning. A few thunderstorm safety tips recommended by the American Red Cross are:

·        Where there is thunder, there is lightning! If thunder can be heard, then you are close enough to be in danger of lightning strikes. Go indoors!

·        Postpone any outdoor activities, such as sporting events and picnics until the storm passes. It is possible to get struck by lightning even if it is not raining.

·        Take shelter in a building or vehicle with windows closed and stay clear of the windows.

·        Do not shower or bathe during a thunderstorm.

Spring can also be the time of year for flooding. Flash floods occur suddenly when water rises rapidly along a stream or low-lying area. Below are some safety steps recommended in the event of flooding:

·        Be prepared to evacuate and head for higher ground.

·        Stay away from floodwaters.

·        Do not drive on flooded streets.

·        Be especially cautious at night when it is more difficult to recognize flood danger.

While severe weather can be frightening, you can help ensure your safety and the safety of the ones you love, by being prepared and taking precautions.