How to Practice Severe Weather Safety Tips

The rash of severe weather over the past few days has served as a reminder that storm season is here and in full swing.

While most everyone understands the importance of seeking shelter during tornado warnings, there are also a number of other tips that you should recognize in order to stay safe when severe weather is brewing.

From a severe thunderstorm warning to a flooded road, here is a look at some of the lesser known safety tips to keep in mind.

You May Not Hear Tornado Sirens Indoors

Tornado sirens are not necessarily designed to be heard indoors. Instead, they are installed to warn people outside to seek shelter immediately. This means that you cannot count on hearing a siren to warn you if you are inside.

In addition, millions of people live too far away from the nearest siren to be able to hear its alarm. Being intentional about having multiple ways to receive important weather alerts will ensure that you do not miss the warning.

A smartphone is a great tool to use for severe weather alerts. Most modern smartphones allow wireless emergency alerts (WEA) to be transmitted through government agencies such as the National Weather Service (NWS).

Keep your smartphone fully charged during times of severe weather so that you are not caught off guard. This is particularly important in the overnight hours when you are likely to be asleep and not aware of what is happening outside.

Seek Shelter During Severe Thunderstorm Warning

While everyone knows to take shelter during tornadic activity, some people blow off a severe thunderstorm warning.

Because a severe thunderstorm warning is more common than tornadoes, you are more likely to see property damage and other negative impacts as a result of a storm.

For example, there were more than 24,000 reports of large hail and wind damage in the U.S. in 2023.

According to the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) out of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this number was over 19 times the number of tornadoes that same year.

Meaning, it's important to take a severe thunderstorm warning seriously.

Recognize Dangers of Fallen Trees

Weather experts warn that fallen trees can be one of the most unrecognized impacts of severe weather. You do not need a tornado to bring down trees.

According to NOAA, there were 55 lives lost in the U.S. in 2022 as a result of high winds. Over 100 more were injured during that same year.

It is a good idea to take shelter in a basement during severe thunderstorms if you have large trees located near your home. This tactic is also recommended during high wind warnings, especially if there is the possibility of destructive straight-line winds.

Another good practice is to trim the trees on your property to mitigate the chance of damage from fallen limbs. You should also avoid traveling during high wind events.

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Do Not Delay in Seeking Shelter

Ideally, alerts from the NWS are issued with ample time to safely take shelter prior to a storm's arrival.

However, that is not always possible. If a storm initially takes root near you, it is unlikely that you will have a good amount of lead time to find shelter.

Storms can also move at a fast clip, meaning that you might not have time to seek shelter if you dally too long.

For instance, some of the most intense supercells can move at a speed of over 60 mph.

Pay Attention to Local Geography

Being aware of your local geography is important when trying to determine how close you are to the storm activity.

The NWS issues watches and warnings for different areas of a particular county, making it vital to know where you are located exactly.

Knowing the geography of the neighboring counties can also provide more information about where a storm may be headed next and if you are in the potential impact zone.

Expect Multiple Rounds of Severe Weather

Severe weather typically comes in batches. It is rare that severe weather is an isolated event.

For instance, it is not unusual for the nation's heartland to experience morning thunderstorms with a brief break during the middle of the day and more severe weather firing up in the late afternoon or evening hours as the temperatures heat up.

Expect severe storms to come in multiple rounds. Do not make the mistake of assuming that you are out of the woods just because the skies begin to clear.

Never Attempt to Drive Through a Flooded Road

Experts warn that driving through a flooded road is one of the most dangerous things that you can do during times of inclement weather. It is extremely challenging to ascertain how deep the water is on any given road.

Additionally, it only takes about one foot of water to send a small vehicle floating and out of control.

The floodwaters can also wash away a road completely without being visible to motorists. Flooded roadways may also be littered with debris.

To illustrate this point, data from NOAA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that over half of the flood-related fatalities in the country in 2023 happened in vehicles.

Following these lesser-known tips can go a long way in helping you to protect yourself and your family during times of severe weather.

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