National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

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.

In homes, go to the basement. The southwest corner (or any corner) does not offer the best protection. Get under the stairs or under a heavy piece of furniture. If there is no basement go to a small interior room on the lowest floor, such as a closet, bathroom or hallway. Do not open windows! Stay away from windows.

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.

Plan ahead and avoid dangerous lightning situations. Check the latest forecast before going outdoors for extended periods. Watch for storms and seek shelter inside a substantial enclosed building when storms approach. Lightning is attracted to tall objects. If caught outdoors and no shelter is available, find a low spot away from trees, poles and fences. Standing out in the open is dangerous. If you are in the woods, seek shelter in a low area in a clump of smaller trees or brush rather than near lone tall trees. In a home or building, avoid using the telephone or electrical appliances. Do not take a shower or bath during a thunderstorm. Metal wiring and pipes can conduct electricity.

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. 

If you live or work near a stream, creek, drainage ditch, or low lying flood prone area, move to higher ground if water rises rapidly or if a flash flood warning is issued for your area. Do not let children play near flooded areas or storm drains.

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.