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Thunderstorms... What YOU Can Do!

• Know the county or parish in which you live and thenames of nearby major cities. Severe weatherwarnings are issued on a county or parish basis.
  Check the weather forecast before leaving forextended periods outdoors.
  Watch for signs of approaching storms.
• If a storm is approaching, keep a NOAA WeatherRadio or AM/FM radio with you.
• Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms areimminent. This is your best way to avoid beingcaught in a dangerous situation.
• Check on those who have trouble taking shelter ifsevere weather threatens.

If Caught Outdoors and No Shelter Is Nearby…

• Find a low spot away from trees, fences, and poles.Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding.
• I f you are in the woods, take shelter under the shorter trees.
• If you feel your skin tingle or your hair stand on end, squat low to theground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands on your knees withyour head between them.  Make yourself the smallest target possible,and minimize your contact with the ground.
• If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter immediately!

When Thunderstorms Approach…

• Remember : if you can hear thunder, you are closeenough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go tosafe shelter immediately!
• Move to a sturdy building or car. Do not take shelterin small sheds, under isolated trees, or in convertibleautomobiles.
• If lightning is occurring and a sturdy shelter is notavailable, get inside a hard top automobile and keepwindows up.
• Get out of boats and away from water.
• Telephone lines and metal pipes can conductelectricity. Unplug appliances not necessary forobtaining weather information. Avoid using thetelephone or any electrical appliances. Use phonesONLY in an emergency.
• Do not take a bath or shower.
• Turn off air conditioners. Power surges from lightningcan overload the compressors.
• Get to higher ground if flash flooding or flooding is possible.
• Once flooding begins, abandon cars and climb to higher ground.
• Do not attempt to drive to safety. Note: Most flash flood deaths occur