Thunderstorms with quarter-sized hail and high winds in Russell County Friday

At 5:34 a.m. Friday, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued by the National Weather Service, valid until 6 a.m. for Russell County.

Be prepared for quarter-sized (1-inch) hail and wind gusts up to 60 mph.

“At 5:34 a.m., a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles southwest of Fort Moore/Lawson Army Air Field, or 15 miles south of Phenix City, moving northeast at 25 mph,” the weather service said. “Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding and trees.”

The warning affects the Fort Mitchell, Uchee Creek and Fort Mitchell activity center.

The weather service says, “Stay alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado, immediately move to a basement or small central room of a sturdy structure. For your protection, move to an interior room on the ground floor of a building.”

When Lightning Threatens: Expert Thunderstorm Safety Tips

Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning kills approximately 20 people each year, according to the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as storms approach, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually diminishing as it 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.
• Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for any ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it is a clear indication that lightning is nearby.
• Find a safe place to take shelter, preferably indoors.

Safety measures inside:

• Once you have found shelter indoors, refrain from using landline phones, electrical appliances or plumbing fixtures, and avoid going near 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.
• 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 as these put you at a higher risk of lightning strikes.
• 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 spaced apart 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.
• Stay away from bodies of water, wet objects, or metal objects. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they are efficient conductors of electricity 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 for Heavy Rain

When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions increase. Whether it’s prolonged rain or rapid runoff, it’s essential to be prepared. Here are some valuable safety tips from the weather service to help keep you safe during heavy rain:

Beware of flooded waterways:

During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where flowing water can pose a serious hazard.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Follow the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an extra two seconds of following distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking efficiency.

Reduce speed and drive carefully:

On wet roads, it is essential to slow down. Gradually release the accelerator and avoid sudden braking to avoid skidding.

Choose your path wisely:

Stay in the middle lanes: water tends to collect in the outside lanes.

Visibility is important:

Improve your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Be especially vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-stained windows can obscure them.

Beware of slippery roads:

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

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. Water spray from their large tires reduces your visibility. 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 windshield wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at 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.

In case of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in keeping you safe on the road. Remember to keep yourself informed of weather conditions and follow the advice of local authorities for a safe journey.

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.