What is Severe Weather?

Severe weather can take many forms. Wind, rain, hail and lightning are all examples of weather events that impact our region. Knowing as much as you can about each of these potentially deadly events and how to protect yourself is crucial in preparing for the severe weather season.

Flooding

Flooding is the No. 1 severe weather killer and takes 130 to 140 lives each year. Flash flooding occurs when there is heavy or excessive rainfall (1 to 5 inches) in a short period of time, generally less than six hours. With this amount of rain, dams can fail, causing a flash flood. depending on the type of dam and time period during which the break occurs.

Flooding is the inundation of a normally dry area caused by an increased water level in an established watercourse, such as a river, stream, drainage ditch or a pond of water at or near the point where the rain fell.

PROTECTING YOURSELF from floodwaters:

If you are inside and high water is threatening, leave immediately and get to higher ground. If you are caught outdoors, the most obvious preventive measure you can take is to get to higher ground. However, you will reduce the chance of encountering floodwater if you avoid small rivers or streams, low spots, canyons and dry riverbeds. Do not try to walk through even ankle-deep water, and don’t allow children to play around streams, drainage ditches or viaducts, storm drains or other flooded areas.

If you are in a vehicle, DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED AREAS! Even if it looks shallow enough to cross, it is hard to estimate the force of the water. The large majority of deaths due to flash flooding are because people drive through flooded areas. Water only 1 foot deep can displace 1,500 pounds! Two feet of water can quickly and easily carry an automobile away.

Lightning

Lightning is the second most prevalent killer associated with the severe weather season. It’s a visible electrical discharge produced by a thunderstorm. The discharge may occur within or between clouds, between the cloud and air, between a cloud and the ground or between the ground and a cloud. Between 90 and 100 people each year lose their lives due to lightning strikes. This is more than tornadoes and hurricanes combined. There are 20 million lightning strikes per year in the continental 48 states.

PROTECTING YOURSELF from lightning:

If you are indoors during a lightning storm, avoid using the telephone or any other electrical appliance. Don’t take a bath or shower. If you are caught outdoors, keep these things in mind:

• Lightning has been known to strike 10 miles away from the main thunderstorm. Most deaths by lightning have been found to occur before or after the most intense part of the storm. Just because the main action of the storm has ended does not mean the lightning abruptly ends.
• When you see the lightning, count the number of seconds until you hear the thunder. Five seconds means lightning is one mile away. This is not a myth. It’s called the 30-30 rule and was devised by the National Weather Service. You’ll know you are at risk if you see lightning, then hear thunder in 30 seconds or less. Go to a safe place. If you can’t see the lightning, just hearing the thunder is a good backup rule to use to take cover. Wait 30 minutes or more after hearing the last thunder before leaving the safer location.

If you get caught outside during a thunderstorm, remember these rules:

• Go to a safe shelter immediately. A sturdy building or a hardtop automobile with the windows up can also offer fair protection.
• If you are boating or swimming, get out of the water immediately and move to a safe shelter away from the water.
• If you are in a wooded area, seek shelter under a thick growth of relatively small trees.
• If you feel your hair standing on end, squat with your head between your knees. Do not lie flat.
• Avoid isolated trees or other tall objects, bodies of water, sheds, fences, convertible automobiles, tractors and motorcycles.

Indoors: The ground fault circuit in a home is one of the first things lightning hits. This includes much-needed safety equipment such as smoke detectors and other sensitive electronic equipment, including security systems and garage door openers. Lightning can also create power surges, which can overload your electrical system and lead to fire. There are preventive measures you can take to protect your home’s electronic equipment as much as possible. Arrow Circle Electric in Kansas City highly recommends installing whole-house surge protection, which is inexpensive and easier to deal with than a multitude of surge protector strips.

Tornadoes and Microbursts

The third deadliest severe weather is tornadoes and microbursts. About 60 to 70 people each year lose their lives to these violent winds. Winds higher than 58 miles per hour are considered severe.

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air, usually located beneath a cumulonimbus (thunderstorm) cloud, with circulation reaching the ground. It nearly always starts as a funnel cloud and may be accompanied by a loud roaring noise. On a local scale, it is the most destructive of all atmospheric phenomena. Tornado strength is classified on the Fujita (F) scale from 1 to 5.

A microburst is a convective downdraft with an affected outflow area of less than two miles wide and peak winds lasting less than five minutes. Microbursts can cause dangerous horizontal or vertical wind shears. The wind shears are strong enough to cause extensive property damage.

PROTECTING YOURSELF from tornadoes and microbursts:

If you are in a home or small building, go to the basement first. If a basement is not available, go to an interior room on the lowest floor of the house, like a closet or bathroom. Wrap yourself in overcoats or blankets to protect yourself from flying debris.

If you are in a school, hospital, factory or shopping center, go to interior rooms and halls on the lowest floor. Stay away from rooms enclosed in glass or places or areas with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums and warehouses.

Crouch down and cover your head.

If you are in a high-rise building, go to interior small rooms or halls. Stay away from exterior walls or glassy areas.

If you are in a car or mobile home, GET OUT IMMEDIATELY. Most deaths occur in cars and mobile homes. Go to a substantial structure or designated tornado shelter. If you can’t get inside, lie flat in the nearest ditch or depression and use your hands to cover your head.

There is a great saying that summarizes the best tornado safety: “Go to the SMALLEST PART, LOWEST LEVEL, CENTER ROOM.”

Hail

Hail seldom causes loss of human life. It can destroy crops, roofs, cars, lawn furniture and has been known to kill farm animals. Each year about $1.5 billion in crop losses are due to hail. Hail 1 inch or more in diameter is considered severe.

You’ve often heard hail described as softball or marble size. But did you know those descriptions aren’t just ballpark figures? There are very specific measurements to go along with each.

PROTECTING YOURSELF from hail:

Stay inside and bring cars, pets, farm animals and lawn furniture inside as well