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February 6, 2012

Severe Weather Awareness Week: Thunderstorm safety

Submitted by Whitfield County government

EDITOR’S NOTE: Gov. Nathan Deal, in cooperation with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security (GEMA), the National Weather Service (NWS) and Georgia’s local emergency management agencies, has proclaimed the week of Feb. 6-10 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Georgia. This annual observance is designed to educate Georgians about weather-related topics, including family preparedness, NOAA weather radios, thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning and floods. Special topics each day include today, family preparedness/NOAA weather radios; Tuesday, thunderstorm safety; Wednesday, tornado safety (statewide tornado drill); Thursday, lightning safety; and Friday, flooding (alternate drill day).

Thunderstorms affect relatively small areas when compared to hurricanes and winter storms. Despite their small size, all thunderstorms are dangerous because they can produce strong winds, lightning, tornadoes, hail and flash flooding. The typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of 30 minutes.

“Straight line winds can reach speeds excess of 100 mph and produce damage similar to a tornado,” said Claude Craig, Whitfield County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) director.

 The biggest threat from severe thunderstorms is damaging straight-line winds and large hail. These winds occur, on average, 19 days each year in Georgia. They occur in every month of the year but are most common in the spring and summer months, peaking in July.

Here is some information to help you recognize severe weather, develop a plan and be ready to act when threatening weather approaches:     

To prepare for a thunderstorm, you should do the following:

• Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage during a severe thunderstorm.

• Remember the 30/30 lightning safety rule: Go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.

What you should do if a thunderstorm is likely in your area:

• Postpone outdoor activities.

• Get inside a home, building or hard top automobile (not a convertible). Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer there than outside.

• Remember, rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide no protection from lightning. However, the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal.

• Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.

• Shutter windows and secure outside doors. If shutters are not available, close window blinds, shades or curtains.

• Avoid showering or bathing. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity.

• Use a corded telephone only for emergencies. Cordless and cellular telephones are safe to use.

• Unplug appliances and other electrical items such as computers and turn off air conditioners. Power surges from lightning can cause serious damage.

• Use your battery-operated NOAA weather radio for updates from local officials.

Avoid the following:

• Natural lightning rods such as a tall, isolated trees in an open area.

• Hilltops, open fields, the beach or a boat on the water.

• Isolated sheds or other small structures in open areas.

• Anything metal — tractors, farm equipment, motorcycles, golf carts, golf clubs and bicycles.

To help families prepare, Ready Georgia, a statewide emergency preparedness campaign established by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security offers the tools needed to make an emergency supply kit, develop a communications plan and stay informed about potential threats.

Visitors to Ready Georgia’s website, www.ready.ga.gov, can create an online profile to receive a tailored plan for the entire family that includes the specific amount of supplies to put in their household Ready kits. They can also find local emergency contact information, learn about Georgia-specific disasters and read preparedness testimonials from local sports stars.

For more information, contact the Whitfield County EMA at (706) 259-3730 or visit these websites: www.ready.ga.gov, www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc/ or www.gema.ga.gov.

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