Disaster Survival

Thunderstorm

A thunderstorm, or lightning storm, is severe weather that has the presence of thunder and lightning. Thunderstorms usually include heavy rainfall and strong, gusting winds. They can also bring hail and even spawn tornadoes. Thunderstorms are considered a "severe" when wind speeds reach 58 miles per hour or more and drop hail 3/4 of an inch or larger in size. Thunderstorms are more dangerous than most people realize. There are several risks associated with these storms.

Lightning

All thunderstorms pose a lightning threat. If you can hear thunder, the storm is close enough to be a threat. Lightning can strike for more than ten miles before a storm arrives and after it passes.

When a storm is approaching
Immediately find a safe shelter as soon as you see dark, threatening clouds or see lightning. Your home or other sizeable building is the best form of protection. Since all structures are susceptible to being struck by lightning, find the closest shelter with the most mechanisms for conducting an electric current. Gutters, rain spouts and plumbing guide bolts to the ground. A safe building has a roof, walls and a floor.

Many small structures are designed to protect you from the sun but do not provide adequate protection from lightning. Without plumbing or wiring, sheds offer little to no protection.

Remember, your family may include more than just people. Like humans, pets and livestock are not safe being outside in the open. Doghouses and sheds are not safe buildings. Animals on chains or running wires are high risk.

Inside a safe shelter
Once you are safely indoors there are a few more things you need to remember.

Stay off the phone
Lightning can strike telephone poles and wires and electrify the lines. In the United Stated, phone use is the leading cause of indoor lightning injuries. If there is an emergency and you must make a call, use your cell phone.

Stay away from water sources
Do not take a shower or bath, or use the sink during a storm. When lightning strikes the ground it can energize the pipes into your home.

Stay away from appliances
Lightning can strike electric lines and travel into your home. Televisions and computers are particularly dangerous.

Keep away from windows
Windows and doors offer the most direct path for lightning to enter your home.

Keep out of the garage
Concrete with wire mesh or metal reinforcing bars is dangerous.

Protect Your Belongings
Before a storm arrives, and once you are safely inside, there are additional steps you can take to protect your belongings. Surge protectors will not keep your electronics safe if struck by lightning. Unplug appliances and electronics from outlets. Remember, lightning can arrive ten miles before a thunderstorm. Only unplug items well before a storm hits, not as it is rolling into your neighborhood. If you're going on vacation, pull plugs out before leaving.

If you can't find shelter
There is NO safe place outside during a storm. It is imperative that you move inside a safe shelter. If you're caught outside and absolutely cannot get to a safe shelter, the next best place to be is in a car. Cars are not safe because the rubber tires ground it. They are safe because lightning can dissipate over the frame. Do not touch the doors of the car while waiting out the storm. Sit as close to the middle as you can, with your hands on your lap. Cars with soft-top or convertible roofs are not a safe option.

If you are driving and encounter a storm, pull over to the side of the road and turn the vehicle off. Turn on your hazard lights and do not touch your doors.

If you can't get into a building or a car, get away from tall objects. Find the lowest spot that you can and get down. Squat on the balls on your feet and stay low. Keep as little contact with the ground as possible.

The 30/30 Rule
The 30/30 rules is an important rule to remember. If you see lightning and then hear thunder less than thirty seconds later, the storm is close enough to be dangerous. After the storm passes, wait thirty minutes after seeing the last lightning or hearing the last thunder before you go outside.

Wind

High winds can accompany thunderstorms, blowing debris around, knocking down trees and bringing down powerlines.

Rain

Torrential rains in thunderstorms can bring flash floods. Floods are the number one storm related killers. Read the Your Survival flood section to prepare.

Hail

Thunderstorms can also drop damaging hail. Large hail is a sign that a strong downburst (causing straight-line winds) could be imminent or that a tornado is possible. The larger the hail, the stronger the updraft in the thunderstorm. That means the possibility of graver dangers exists. Downbursts actually happen much more often and cause more damage yearly than tornados.

Tornadoes

Thunderstorms can also spawn tornadoes. Turn on your NOAA radio to listen for tornado watches and warnings. Read the Your Survival tornado section to prepare.

Special Circumstances

Here are some special circumstances that you might need to be prepared for.

Coach of Outdoor Sports Team
If you are the manager of an outdoor sports team you should listen to the latest weather warnings before every practice or game. If thunderstorms are in the forecast, cancel the event.

When you arrive at the practice or game area, survey your surroundings and identify the nearest safe shelter. Make sure all of the children and their parents know where to go incase of a sudden thunderstorm. Sizeable buildings should be the first choice; vehicles are the next best choice. Do not stay out in the open or take cover in a dugout or picnic area.

Families at the Beach
Carefully listen to all weather forecasts for the day. Once at the beach, survey the area and identify the closest safe building. Make a family plan so everyone knows what safe location you are meeting in.

Often at the beach there are no safe buildings. Picnic tables, shelters and lifeguard stands are not safe. In this case, the best place to go is your car.

Camping
Carefully listen to all weather forecasts and bring a NOAA radio with you. Survey the area and plan a safe shelter meeting place for the group. Like the beach, there is often no safe building when camping so keep your vehicle within a short walking distance. Tents and picnic shelters are not safe.

Fields
If you and your group are out in the open and there is absolutely no way for you to take cover, crouch in a lowest area available. Stay at least 15 feet apart from other members of your group so the lightning won't travel between you if hit.

Special thanks to our experts John Van Pelt from the StormStudy Project and NOAA.