If you are indoors:
• Secure objects outdoors, such as yard furniture that might fly away or cause damage and injuries. Take light object indoors.
• Tightly shut the windows and prop doors leading outside.
• Listen to a battery operated radio to receive last minute emergency information.
• Do not handle electrical equipment or phones, lightning might follow the wire. Televisions are especially dangerous at this moment.
• Avoid bath tubs, faucets and sinks, metal piping may conduct electricity.
If you are outdoors:
• Try to get into a building or car.
• If there is no structure available, go to an open space and crouch near the ground as soon as possible. If you are in the woods, seek an area sheltered by a group of short trees; never stand under a single tree in an open space. Be aware of the possibility of flooding in low lying areas.
• Crouch with your hands on your knees.
• Avoid high structures, such as skyscrapers, tall trees, fences, phone lines and power lines.
• Stay away from natural arresters, such as golf clubs, tractors, fishing poles, bicycles or camping gear.
• Stay away from rivers, ponds or other water bodies.
• If you are isolated in a clearing or prairie and feel your hair standing (which indicates lightning is about to strike), lean forward and put your hands on your knees. Crouching with your feet together is recommended while retrieving all metallic objects. Do not lie on the ground.
If you are in a car:
• Drive to the edge of the road to stay safe, away from trees that might fall on the vehicle.
• Stay in the car and light the emergency lights until rain recedes.
• Avoid flooded roads.
Thunder storm distance calculation
Since light travels faster than sound, lightning can be seen much before the resulting thunder is heard. Calculate the distance of the thunder storm in miles counting the number of seconds between lightning and the next thunder storm. Divide this number by five.
Important: You are in danger of lightning if you can hear thunder. Knowing the distance of a storm does not mean you are only in danger when the storm is directly above.
Hail
Hail is produced by many strong thunder storms. Hail can be smaller than a pea or as large as a baseball and may be very destructive for plants and crops. In a hail storm, seek shelter immediately. Pets and cattle are particularly vulnerable to hail, for which animals should be taken to a shelter.
