At 7:32 p.m. on Wednesday, the National Weather Service upgraded its weather notice for Dallas and Lowndes counties, predicting severe thunderstorms until 8:15 p.m.
The storms are bringing with them wind gusts of up to 40 mph and pea-sized hail (0.25 inches).
“At 7:31 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm over Selmont-West Selmont, moving south at 15 mph,” according to the weather service. Gusty winds have the potential to blow around unsecured objects and topple tree branches. There is a chance of minor hail damage to vegetation.
Selma, Mosses, Selmont-West Selmont, White Hall, Gordonville, Benton, Belknap, Beechwood, Gardner Island, Tyler, Dallas Lake, Dallas County Horse Arena, Carlowville, Craig Field Aiport, Minter, Selma Drag Strip, Collirene, Farmersville, Fostoria, and Edmund Pettus Bridge are among the places affected by the alert.
The weather service states that “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.”
Lightning on the horizon: Expert safety measures for thunderstorms
About 25 million lightning strikes occur in the US annually, primarily in the summer. According to the weather service, lightning kills roughly 20 individuals per year. As thunderstorms approach, the likelihood of lightning-related incidents increases, peaking when the storm is directly overhead. However, as the tempest moves, it gradually disappears.
Think about the following suggestions to make sure you’re safe during a thunderstorm.:
Plan for lightning safety:
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When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
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Monitor the sky for threatening signs and listen for the sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s an indication that lightning is nearby.
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Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.
Indoor safety precautions:
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Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
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These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways.
Hold off till the all-clear:
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After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
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Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly passed, so exercise caution.
When there is no indoor shelter:
Take these precautions to increase your safety if you are outside during a thunderstorm without access to inside shelter:
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Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.
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Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
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If you’re in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
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Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It’s crucial to note that a tent provides no protection against lightning.
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Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.
In conclusion, readiness and alertness are your greatest allies while dealing with the threat of lightning. You may put your safety first and drastically lower the chance of lightning-related mishaps by adhering to these rules.
Navigating rainy roads: Safety tips for wet weather
Roads can become dangerous when it rains. Keep yourself updated and heed these weather service recommendations to stay safe during periods of intense precipitation:
Watch out for flooding rivers:
Avoid parking or strolling close to drainage ditches or culverts during periods of intense rain, since the swift-moving water can be quite dangerous.
Keep your distances from other vehicles safe:
To keep a safe following distance behind the car in front of you, follow the two-second rule. To account for decreased traction and braking efficiency in heavy weather, give yourself an extra two seconds.
Reduce your speed and exercise caution:
Reduce your speed if it’s raining and the roads are wet. Reduce your speed gently by taking your foot off the accelerator. Never apply the brakes abruptly since this could cause the vehicle to slide.
Pick your lane carefully:
On multilane highways, stay in the middle lanes to reduce the chance of hydroplaning because water tends to pool in the outer lanes.
Visibility is important.
Turn on your headlights to improve visibility in severe rain. Rain-stained windows can hide cars in blind zones, so be cautious.
Be cautious on slick roads:
Because of a combination of rain, oil, and grime, roadways are at their slickest during the first 30 minutes of precipitation. Be especially careful during this time.
Stay a safe distance away from big cars:
Avoid following buses or big vehicles too closely. Their big tires produce a mist that blurs your eyesight. Additionally, if you have to pass them, proceed with caution.
Be mindful of your wipers:
Visibility may be hampered by overloaded wiper blades. If the rain makes it very difficult to see, stop and wait for the weather to clear up. Look for cover in covered areas or rest areas.
Position your car as far off the road as you can, preferably beyond guardrails, if stopping by the side of the road is your only choice. To let other cars know where you are, turn on your emergency flashers and keep your headlights on.
Taking these safety measures will significantly improve your road safety while it’s raining a lot. For a safe trip, keep yourself updated on weather conditions and follow local authorities’ instructions.
United Robots offers a service called Advance Local Weather Alerts that gathers the most recent information from the National Weather Service using machine learning.
