Thunderstorms with damaging winds in Houston County Saturday

An updated severe thunderstorm warning was issued by the National Weather Service at 8:54 a.m. Saturday, in effect until 9:45 a.m. for Houston County.

Residents should prepare for wind gusts of up to 60 mph.

“At 8:53 a.m., a severe thunderstorm was located 9 miles southeast of Graceville, moving east at 35 mph,” the weather service said. “Expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.”

Locations affected by the warning include Marianna, Malone, Cottondale, Greenwood, Campbellton, Bascom, Jacob City, Crosby, Grangeburg, Blue Spring, Lovedale, Haynes, Dellwood, Two Egg, Hornsville, Chattahoochee SP, Cottondale Airport, Jacobs, Lucy and Chipola. Terrace.

The weather service comments: “For your protection, locate in an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.”

Lightning on the horizon: expert safety measures in case of thunderstorms

Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the bulk of these lightning strikes occurring during the summer months. Tragically, lightning claims the lives of around 20 people each year, as reported by weather services. The risk of lightning incidents increases as thunderstorms approach, peaking when the storm looms directly overhead. However, it gradually recedes as the storm moves away.

To ensure your safety in the middle of a storm, consider the following recommendations:

1. Lightning protection plan:

• When venturing outdoors, it is essential to have a lightning protection plan in place.
• Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it is a clear indication that lightning is nearby.
• Quickly seek shelter in a safe place, preferably indoors.

2. Indoor safety measures:

• Once you find shelter indoors, avoid using corded telephones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
• Lightning can follow conductive paths and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.

3. Wait for the green light:

• After the last flash of lightning or thunder, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming your outdoor activities.
• Lightning can strike even when a storm appears to have passed, so be careful.

When indoor shelter is not available:

If you find yourself outside without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, follow these steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which put you at greater risk of lightning.
• Avoid large, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay near lower stands of trees.
• If you are in a group, make sure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
• It is strongly recommended not to camp in an open environment during a storm. If there is no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying area. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
• Do not approach bodies of water, wet objects or metal objects. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity efficiently and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when faced with the threat of lightning, preparation and vigilance are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety.

Mastering Wet Roads: Safety Tips in Heavy Rain

Rain can turn roads into hazards. Stay informed and follow these tips from the weather service to stay safe in heavy rain:

Beware of swollen waterways:

• During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where fast-moving water can pose a serious hazard.

Maintain safe driving distances:

• Respect the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an extra two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and reduced braking effectiveness.

Slow down and stay safe:

• On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Release the accelerator pedal gradually and avoid sudden braking to avoid skidding.

Choose your path wisely:

• Stay towards the middle lanes – water tends to collect in the outer lanes.

Visibility matters:

• Improve your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Be wary of vehicles in blind spots, as rain-stained windows can obscure them.

Be careful of slippery roads:

• Be very careful during the first half hour after the rain starts. Dirt and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

• Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them quickly and safely.

Pay attention to your windshield wipers:

• Overloaded wiper blades can impede visibility. If rain seriously impairs your vision, stop and wait for conditions to improve. Seek shelter in rest areas or sheltered places.
• When stopping at the side of the road is your only option, position your vehicle as far from the road as possible, ideally beyond the guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate the hazard lights to alert other drivers of your location.

By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce the risks and ensure your well-being during heavy rain. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your trip safe and sound.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.