Severe Weather Safety Information
With the chance for severe weather across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana...this is a good opportunity to go over some basic safety information and tips on what to do during a severe weather event. TORNADO SAFETY RULES
In schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and other public buildings, go to small interior rooms or halls on the lowest floor. Stay away from windows. Avoid large rooms such as gymnasiums or auditoriums. In high rise buildings, it is not necessary to get to the lowest floor. Go to small interior rooms, halls, or stairwells – but stay away from windows. In mobile homes, make plans to go to a nearby substantial structure when the tornado watch is issued, before the storm hits. Nationwide, about 40% of tornado deaths occur in mobile homes. Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car. If a tornado is approaching and there is not time to get to a place of safety, get out and lie flat on the ground in a low spot or ditch and cover your head with your hands.
LIGHTNING SAFETY RULES
You are safe from lightning in an enclosed metal vehicle. Convertibles and golf carts are unsafe in lightning storms. If you are swimming or boating, get out of the water immediately. Use the flash to bang method for judging a storm’s distance. When you see a flash of lightning, count how many seconds until you hear the bang of thunder and divide by five to determine the distance in miles. For example if thunder is heard 15 seconds after the lightning flash, the lightning was 3 miles away. Follow the 30/30 rule. If thunder is heard within 30 seconds of the lightning (within 6 miles) it is time to stop outdoor activities and seek shelter inside a substantial enclosed building. Do not resume outdoor activity until at least 30 minutes after the last lightning flash is seen or thunder is heard.
FLASH FLOOD SAFETY RULES
Do not drive through flooded roads, especially if water is moving rapidly. You may not know the depth of the water and the road bed may be washed out under the water. Two feet of moving water can cause a vehicle to become buoyant and out of control.
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