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National Hurricane Preparedness Week is a nationwide effort in the first or second week of May. This year, it is observed from May 1 to 7. Its purpose is to educate and prepare us in case a hurricane strikes. It only takes one storm to change your life and our community. This week we will provide some resources to ensure your safety as well as your loved ones.
Severe Thunderstorm Information & Safety
Severe thunderstorms produce a variety of weather hazards including tornadoes, large hail, damaging straight line winds, flooding, and lightning. Severe thunderstorms producing damaging winds in excess of 60 mph and large hail can be a threat to life and property. Damaging straight line winds are much more common than tornadoes and can be just as deadly.
Those caught outdoors during a severe thunderstorm are particularly vulnerable. High winds associated with severe thunderstorms can strike suddenly.
Now is the time to review Severe Weather Safety Information.
Flood Information & Safety
Typically, flooding results in more weather-related fatalities than any other thunderstorm related hazard. For each foot the water rises up the side of the car, the car displaces 1,500 pounds of water. In effect, the automobile weighs 1,500 pounds less for each foot the water rises. Two feet of water will carry away most automobiles!
For more information, visit the Flood Safety page.
Lightning Information & Safety
At any given moment, there are 1,800 thunderstorms in progress somewhere on Earth. This amounts to 16 million storms a year! In the United States, there are an estimated 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes each year. While lightning can be fascinating to watch, it is also extremely dangerous.
For more lightning facts and safety information, visit the NWS Lightning Awareness page.
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