THUNDERSTORMS (LIGHTNING & HAIL) Each summer brings the chance of significant thunderstorms with the potential of causing property damage and the risk of injury or death to individuals who do not take appropriate precautions.
Before Severe Weather Arrives Refer to: Preparedness Essentials
Have a 72-Hour Preparedness Kit assembled. Home Kit + Go Kit + Car Kit = 72-Hour Preparedness Kit.
Create your Communications plan.
Learn the Early Warning & Information Systems available in Broomfield.
Learn the warning terms for Thunderstorms so that you clearly understand the risk to your family and your community.
Obtain a NOAA Public Alert Weather Radio or utilize a weather alert app on your mobile device to monitor severe weather.
Thunderstorm Watch—conditions are favorable for thunderstorms to produce wind gusts to 58 mph or stronger, or hail to 3/4 inch or larger in the watch area. These watches are issued for 4 to 6 hours at a time and for a number of counties. Stay informed, watch the sky, and take cover if a severe thunderstorm is approaching. Thunderstorm Warning—a severe thunderstorm has been detected by radar, or by a trained spotter. Take cover if you are near the severe thunderstorm.
Learn CPR and First Aid.
During Thunderstorms and Lightning If caught outside: ·Move quickly to shelter. ·If you feel your hair stand on end, drop to the ground in a crouched position, hands on knees. Do not lie flat on the ground.
Remember—if you can hear thunder you are close enough to be struck by lightning! Learn the Flash-to-Bang method. When you see lightning, count how many seconds until you hear thunder. If the time is 5 seconds, the lightning is one mile away. If it is 10 seconds, the lightning is two miles. Practice the 30/30 rule—Seek shelter if the Flash-to-Bang delay is 30 seconds or less. Remain under cover for 30 minutes after the final clap of thunder.
·Keep several yards away from other people. In open areas, go to a low place like a ravine, gully or valley.
·Avoid hilltops, open water, trees or telephone poles. In a forest, move under a growth of small trees. 44
