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EMERGENCY INFORMATION
1. Thunderstorms can bring heavy rains (which can cause flash flooding), strong winds, hail,
lightning and tornadoes. In a severe thunderstorm get inside a sturdy building and stay tuned
to a battery-operated radio for weather information.
2. Lightning is a major threat during a thunderstorm. In the United States, between 75 to 100
Americans are hit and killed each year by lightning. If you are caught outdoors, avoid natural
lightning rods such as tall, isolated trees in an open area or the top of a hill and metal objects
such as wire fences, golf clubs and metal tools.
3. It is a myth that lightning never strikes twice in the same place. In fact, lightning will strike
several times in the same place in the course of one discharge.
DANGER ZONES
While thunderstorms and lightning can be found throughout the United States, they are most
likely to occur in the central and southern states. The state with the highest number of
thunderstorm days is Florida.
WHAT IS A THUNDERSTORM?
A thunderstorm is formed from a combination of moisture, rapidly rising warm air and a force
capable of lifting air such as a warm and cold front, a sea breeze or a mountain. All
thunderstorms contain lightning. Thunderstorms may occur singly, in clusters or in lines. Thus,
it is possible for several thunderstorms to affect one location in the course of a few hours.
Some of the most severe weather occurs when a single thunderstorm affects one location for
an extended time.
WHAT IS LIGHTNING?
Lightning is an electrical discharge that results from the buildup of positive and negative
charges within a thunderstorm. When the buildup becomes strong enough, lightning appears
as a "bolt." This flash of light usually occurs within the clouds or between the clouds and the
ground. A bolt of lightning reaches a temperature approaching 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit in a
split second. The rapid heating and cooling of air near the lightning causes thunder.
HELP YOUR COMMUNITY GET READY
The media can raise awareness about thunderstorms and lightning by providing important
information to the community. Here are some suggestions:
1. Publish a special section in your local newspaper with emergency information about
thunderstorms and lightning. Place special emphasis on what people should do if they are
caught outside. Localize the information by printing the phone number of local emergency
services offices, the American Red Cross, and hospitals.
2. Interview officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture about the Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation.
3. Periodically inform your community of local public warning systems.
4. Have your meteorologist speak to elementary schools and youth groups about
thunderstorms, lightning and hail.
5. Interview a representative of the American Red Cross about giving first aid to people struck
by lightning.
DID YOU KNOW...
At any given moment, nearly 1,800 thunderstorms are in progress over the surface of the earth.
On average, the United States gets 100,00 thunderstorms each year. Approximately 1,000
tornadoes develop from these storms.
Large hail results in nearly $1 billion in damage to property and crops.
The power of lightning's electrical charge and intense heat can electrocute on contact, split
trees, ignite fires and cause electrical failures.
More deaths from lightning occur on the East Coast. More forest fires are started in the West as
the lightning season coincides with the dry season there.
Approximately 10,000 forest fires are started each year by lightning.
Approximately $100 million in annual losses result from forest and building fires caused by
lightning.
Straight-line winds exceeding 100 mph are responsible for most thunderstorm damage.
Fact Sheet: Thunderstorms and Lightning
Some thunderstorms can be seen approaching, while others hit without warning. It is important
to learn and recognize the danger signs and to plan ahead.
BEFORE
Learn the thunderstorm danger signs.
Dark, towering, or threatening clouds.
Distant lightning and thunder.
Have disaster supplies on hand
Flashlight with extra batteries
Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
First aid kit and manual
Emergency food and water
Nonelectric can opener
Essential medicines
Cash and credit cards
Sturdy shoes
Check for hazards in the yard.
Dead or rotting trees and branches can fall during a severe thunderstorm and cause injury and
damage.
Make sure that all family members know how to respond after a thunderstorm.
Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity and water.
Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, fire department, and which radio station to
tune for emergency information.
Severe Thunderstorm Watches and Warnings
A severe thunderstorm watch is issued by the National Weather Service when the weather
conditions are such that a severe thunderstorm (damaging winds 58 miles per hour or more,
or hail three-fourths of an inch in diameter or greater) is likely to develop. This is the time to
locate a safe place in the home and tell family members to watch the sky and listen to the radio
or television for more information.
A severe thunderstorm warning is issued when a severe thunderstorm has been sighted or
indicated by weather radar. At this point, the danger is very serious and everyone should go to a
safe place, turn on a battery-operated radio or television, and wait for the "all clear" by the
authorities.
Learn how to respond to a tornado and flash flood.
Tornadoes are spawned by thunderstorms and flash flooding can occur with thunderstorms.
When a "severe thunderstorm warning" is issued, review what actions to take under a
"tornado warning" or a
"flash flood warning."
Develop an emergency communication plan.
In case family members are separated from one another during a thunderstorm (a real
possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for
getting back together.
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact". After a disaster, it's
often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone knows the name, address, and phone
number of the contact person.
Contact you local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more
information on thunderstorms and lightning.
WHAT TO DO DURING A THUNDERSTORM
If indoors:
Secure outdoor objects such as lawn furniture that could blow away or cause damage or injury.
Take light objects inside.
Shutter windows securely and brace outside doors.
Listen to a battery operated radio or television for the latest storm information.
Do not handle any electrical equipment or telephones because lightning could follow the wire.
Television sets are particularly dangerous at this time.
Avoid bathtubs, water faucets, and sinks because metal pipes can transmit electricity.
If outdoors:
Attempt to get into a building or car.
If no structure is available, get to an open space an squat low to the ground as quickly as
possible.
(If in the woods, find an area protected by low clump of trees--never stand underneath a single
large tree in the open.)
Be aware of the potential for flooding in low-lying areas.
Crouch with hands on knees.
Avoid tall structures such as towers, tall trees, fences, telephone lines, or power lines.
Stay away from natural lightning rods such as golf clubs, tractors, fishing rods, bicycles, or
camping equipment.
Stay from rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water.
If you are isolated in a level field or prairie and you feel your hair stand on end (which indicates
that lightning is about to strike), bend forward, putting your hands on your knees. A position with
feet together and crouching while removing all metal objects is recommended.
Do not lie flat on the ground.
If in a car:
Pull safely onto the shoulder of the road away from any trees that could fall on the vehicle.
Stay in the car and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rains subside.
Avoid flooded roadways.
Estimating the Distance from a Thunderstorm
Because light travels much faster than sound, lightning flashes can be seen long before the
resulting thunder is heard. Estimate the number of miles you are from a thunderstorm by
counting the number of seconds between a flash of lightning and the next clap of thunder.
Divide this number by five.
Important: You ARE in danger from lightning if
you can hear thunder.
Knowing how far away a storm is does not mean that you're in danger only when the storm is
overhead.
Hail
Hail is produced by many strong thunderstorms. Hail can be smaller than a pea or as large as
a softball and can be very destructive to plants and crops. In a hailstorm, take cover
immediately. Pets and livestock are particularly vulnerable to hail, so bring animals into a
shelter.
AFTER THE STORM
Check for injuries.
A person who has been struck by lightning does not carry an electrical charge that can shock
other people.
If the victim is burned, provide first aid and call emergency medical assistance immediately.
Look for burns where lightning entered and exited the body.
If the strike cause the victim's heart and breathing to stop, give cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) until medical professionals arrive and take over.
Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance--infants, elderly
people, and people with disabilities.
Report downed utility wires.
Drive only if necessary. Debris and washed-out roads may make driving dangerous.
This information provided by FEMA from WWW.FEMA.gov website
Last Updated: Friday, 22-Oct-2004 21:19:00 EDT
FEMA 500 C Street, SW Washington, D.C. 20472
Phone: (202) 566-1600
