Thunderstorms are relatively small when compared to hurricanes and winter storm but despite their size, they are all dangerous.  At any given moment, there are 1,800 thunderstorms occurring around the world!  Thunderstorms produce many hazards such as tornadoes, lightning, strong winds, flash flooding, and hail.

Straight-line winds account for most of the damage that we see from thunderstorms and they can exceed 100 mph.  There are types of straight-line winds: downbursts and microbursts that can cause damage equivalent to a strong tornado.  These winds rapidly descend beneath the thunderstorm.  There is little or no rain associated with a microburst.

Lightning is another dangerous component of thunderstorms that causes an average of 80 deaths and 300 injuries every year.  In addition, annual lightning strikes account for about 10,000 forest fires, especially in the western U.S. and Alaska. 

Hail causes more than $1 billion in damage to property and crops every year.  Large hail stones can fall at speed in excess of 100mph. 

What To Do Before the Storm

 Develop your disaster plan and disaster kit
 
 Make sure your NOAA Weather or All-hazards Radio is working properly and has fresh batteries. Navarro County does have SAME coverage by the NWS.
 
 Familiarize yourself with the severe weather alerts (see sidebar)
 
 Practice your plan – have frequent drills.
 
 Identify a safe place to take shelter or better yet, build a Safe Room. 
 
 Check for hazards in the yard. Keep your trees trimmed.  Cut down dead trees.  Dead trees can break off during storms and cause injuries to people and pets and damage to home or other property.
 
 Keep a highway map handy so you can track a storms path from weather bulletins.
 
 Check the weather forecast before leaving for extended outdoor activities.  Remain alert for signs of developing storms.  Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent. 
 
 When severe weather threatens, check on the elderly, very young, and disabled.
 

During the Storm

Outside

 If outside, seek shelter inside if possible.  Move to a sturdy building.  Do not take shelter in small sheds, under trees, or in convertible automobiles.
 
 If lightning is occurring and sturdy shelter is not available, go to a hardtop vehicle, keep the windows up, and do not touch anything metal.
 
 If there is no shelter available, find a low spot away from trees, fences, or poles.  Make sure your spot will not be subject to flooding.
 
 If you cannot avoid trees, take shelter under the shorter trees.
 
 If you feel your skin tingle or your hair stands on end, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet.  Put your hands over your ears and your head between your knees.  Make yourself as small of a target as possible.  Do not lie down.  You need as little contact with the ground as possible.
 
 If you are swimming of fishing in a boat, get to land and find shelter immediately.
 

Inside

 Do not take a shower or a bath while it is storming.
 
 Stay off the telephone.
 
 Turn off the air conditioner as power surges can cause serious damage.
 
 Go to your shelter.  If at home, take your disaster kit with you. 
 
 Listen to the weather updates on your radio.
 
 Remain in your shelter until the warning is over.
 

After the Storm

 Make sure everyone is all right.  Give first aid if you have been trained. Be alert to downed power lines and avoid them.  Report them to the utility company
 
 Check on friends and family. Especially the very young, the very old, or disabled.
 
 If there has been damage to your home or business, contact your insurance agent.
 
 Avoid driving unless necessary. Just because your street is clear of debris does not mean that other streets were not harder hit.
 
 If you must drive, be wary of washed out roads and flash flooding.  Turn Around, Don’t Drown!