Subject: Some weather advisories for the summer season...
Date   : Wed Apr 28, 1993 01:02:34               
 
 
                                Lightning
 
- Is by far the biggest killer in storms severe and non severe.  Respect it!
- Stay away from fences, telephones, clotheslines, open window, tall objects.
- If you are outdoors, keep the lowest profile possible.  Maintain a good 
  distance between yourself and the tallest objects around you.  If you are in
  a field, crouch down.  Do not lay flat.  
- Cars provide excellent protection from lightning.  
- If you feel your hair stand on end, feel a buzzing sensation about you, or
  experience other odd sensations, you are in or near the electrical field 
  that lightning is soon to strike a path through.  Take cover.
- If you wish to protect your electronic equipment, disconnect it from the 
  wall outlet, and don't forget diconnecting your modem from the phone line.
 
                               Wind
 
- Wind is responsible for a good deal of storm damage.  This can be reduced 
  by being a little more aware of its power.  Look around your home.  Is there
  anything that is likely to be moved by the wind during a storm.  Even the 
  most likely objects can become minature missles during a storm.  Bring these
  objects inside if possible, or secure them somehow.  
- What do the trees around your house look like?  Are there limbs that are
  likely to break off during a storm and land on your house, or people?  A 
  little work in removing them may save you a good deal of grief later. 
  Consult someone who knows about the removal of these limbs.  
- Finally, one of the first things to go down in a high wind are power and
  other utility lines.  Stay away from them.  Period!  Even if it appears to 
  be a telephone line, it may be in contact with an electrical wire down the 
  line, and you could complete the circuit by touching it.
 
 
                                Flooding
 
- Flooding associated with storms are unlike river floods for one important 
  reason: SPEED.  Flash Floods caused by the heavy rain and fast run off are
  very dangerous, and can easily surprise you.  Moving water is a powerful
  force.
- Keep away from low lying areas, ravines, and streams.  NEVER try to cross
  moving water in a vehicle, or on foot.  The speed and force of water is 
  easy to misjudge and you could be swept away.  
- Flash flooding can occur in urban areas also.  Just because you live in a
  city does not mean that you are safe from them.
 
 
 
                               Tornadoes
 
- Are nature's most dangerous localized storm.  They are an area of very low
  air pressure, and extremely high winds inside a familar funnel shape.
- Seek shelter from these storms.  Period!.  If you have one, go to the
  basement or storm cellar. If you do not have one, or have time to get to
  one, go to the most interior part of your home and stay there until the 
  storm is passed.  Try to get under a sturdy object such as a workbench, or 
  table.
- If outdoors, seek the lowest place possible.  Get in a ditch, or other low
  area.  However, be careful about flooding.  If you are in a car, find
  shelter under an overpass, or in a low area.  Do not try to outrun the
  tornado.  Although tornadoes do change direction, they usually follow a 
  near straight path.  Try to get away from the storm at right angles.  This
  will make it a little less likely that you will be hit by it.  However, only
  do this if the storm is some distance away from you.  
 
 
                                General Tips
 
- If power is out, use flashlights.  Candles can be dangerous because of 
  possible gas leaks.
- Report severe weather to your local authorities if you have time to.  If a
  storm is barrelling down on you, seek shelter.
- Stay tuned to your local TV, radio, or other services for information on 
  the path of severe weather.  
- If you are in a boat and severe weather is approaching, get to shore and
  seek shelter.
- Stay out of the damaged areas.  You could be injured or mistaken for a
  looter.  Do not enter these zones unless you are affliated with an 
  emergency agency.
- A WATCH means that severe weather/flooding/tonadoes are possible in the
  area.
- A WARNING means that severe weather/flooding/tornadoes are occuring in the
  area.  Take shelter.
- Use a little common sense.  That is mostly what this whole list is.  
 
 
Although I am a member of these organizations, I am not an appointed
representative of them.  These tips were provided for you by me as just a
little friendly advice.  If you seek further information, contact your local
authorities or the National Weather Service.   
 
Pat Spencer, KD4PWL
Member - Amatuer Radio Emergency Services
Severe Storms Response - Kentucky Disaster and Emergency Services