Notes
Slide Show
Outline
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Thunderstorm Safety
  • A Guide To Action
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Defining A Thunderstorm
  •    The Glossary of Meteorology defines a thunderstorm as “A local storm invariably produced by a cumulonimbus cloud, and always accompanied by lightning and thunder, usually with strong gusts of wind, heavy rain, and sometimes with hail. It is usually of short duration, seldom over two hours for any one storm."
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Recognizing Thunderstorms
  •    Thunderstorms usually present with several generic traits:
  • Dark, towering, or threatening clouds.
  • Distant lightening and thunder
  • Periods of moderate to heavy rainfall.  During severe storms high winds, and hail may also be present.
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What Do I Do?
  •    Seek Appropriate Shelter! Appropriate places of shelter can include:
  • A non-convertible car, making sure to keep the windows rolled up.
  • A building.  Avoid metal buildings such as sheds, as these are not appropriate.  Buildings such as commercial or residential structures are best.
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What Do I Do? (cont’d)
  • Avoid taking a shower or bath, or running water for any other purpose.
  • Do not go outdoors until at least 30 min. after a thunderstorm.  Lightening may still be able to strike in  your area during this time frame.
  • Avoid Using Corded Telephones.
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Take A Pro-Active Approach
  •    Being prepared is a crucial component of insuring the safety of yourself, and the ones you love during a thunderstorm.  One way of doing this is to prepare a kit of disaster supplies to use in the event a (Severe) thunderstorm occurs. Contained in the next slide is a list of things you may want to include in your disaster supply kit.
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Disaster Supply Kit Items
  • Flashlight w/extra batteries.
  • Portable radio or weather radio w/extra batteries.
  • First aid kit w/manual.
  • Emergency food and water.
  • Non-electric can opener.
  • Essential Medications.
  • Cash and credit cards.
  • Sturdy Shoes
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Damage Control
  •    Here are a few tips for reducing the potential for damage during a thunderstorm:
  • Unplug TV from cable outlet or conventional antenna.
  • If there is a power failure, turn off all electrical appliances and switches until the power comes back on. This may avoid damage if there is a power surge.
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Other Considerations
  •    If someone is struck by lightening here are some tips for helping them:
  • First, call 9-1-1.
  • People struck by lightening do not carry an electrical charge and can be handled safely.
  • Give first aid. If person has stopped breathing, begin rescue breathing.  If the person’s heart  has stopped beating, a trained person should begin CPR.
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Other Considerations (cont’d)
  •    What if I am not trained in CPR?
  • CPR classes are offered here at Mt.Orab Fire Dept.  If you are interested in taking a CPR class more information is available by calling:
  •    (937) 444-3903 and ask for extension 27.
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Sources
  •    Thanks to the following sources:
  • The N.O.A.A.
  • Skywarn
  • The American Red Cross
  • AvertDisasters.org