Be prepared for severe thunderstorms in Sumter County Sunday evening

The National Weather Service issued a report Sunday at 5:32 p.m. indicating severe thunderstorms through 6:15 p.m. for Sumter County.

Residents can expect wind gusts up to 40 mph.

“At 5:32 p.m., Doppler radar detected a severe thunderstorm over Emelle, 11 miles northwest of Livingston, moving south at 25 mph,” the weather service said. “Wind gusts could cause tree branches to fall and loose objects to fly.”

Locations affected by the alert include Livingston, York, Cuba, Emelle, Boyd, University of West Alabama, Old Mallard Airport, I 20 Welcome Center in Cuba, Payneville and Sumterville.

According to the weather service, “if you are outdoors, consider sheltering inside a building.”

Preparing for impending lightning strikes: Safety recommendations from experts

Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times per year, with most of these lightning strikes occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning kills about 20 people each year, according to the weather service. The risk of lightning incidents increases as thunderstorms approach, reaching their peak when the storm looms directly overhead. However, it gradually decreases as the storm moves away.

To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, consider the following recommendations:

Lightning Safety Plan:

• When venturing outdoors, it is essential to have a clear plan for seeking shelter in the event of lightning.
• Monitor the sky for threatening signs and listen for the sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it indicates that lightning is nearby.
• Quickly seek shelter in a safe place, preferably indoors.

Indoor safety measures:

• Once inside, avoid using landline telephones, electrical appliances, plumbing fixtures and stay away from windows and doors.
• These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges because lightning can follow conductive paths.

Wait for the green light:

• After the last lightning or thunder strike, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
• It is important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm appears to have passed, so be careful.

When indoor shelter is not available:

If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, follow these steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops or ridges, which put you at higher risk of lightning.
• Avoid large, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower trees.
• If you are in a group, make sure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
• Camping in an open area during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no other choice, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying area. Remember that a tent offers no protection from lightning.
• Do not approach bodies of water, wet objects or metal objects. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity efficiently and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when faced with the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparation are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.

Mastering Wet Roads: Safety Tips in Heavy Rain

When heavy rain falls, the risk of flooding and dangerous roads increases. Here’s your weather service guide to staying safe during downpours:

Beware of rapid water flow:

Avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, as fast-flowing water during heavy rains can potentially carry you away.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain.

Reduce speed and drive carefully:

If it’s raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed gradually decrease. Never use the brakes abruptly as this could cause the car to skid.

Choose your path wisely:

Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. The outside lanes are more prone to water accumulation.

Visibility matters:

Turn on your headlights and watch out for other vehicles behind you and in blind spots, as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.

Be careful of slippery roads:

Be especially careful during the first half hour after the rain begins. Dirt and oil on the road mix with water and make the road slippery.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Also, be careful when passing them; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.

Pay attention to your windshield wipers:

Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen from a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to stop. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas.

If the side of the road is your only option, pull over as far away as possible, preferably beyond the end of a guardrail, and wait out the storm. Keep your headlights on and turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers of your location.

By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce the risks and ensure your well-being in the event of heavy rain. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed the advice of local authorities to ensure your safety during your trip.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.