Prepare for severe thunderstorms in Houston County early Sunday evening

An updated weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service at 4:58 p.m. Sunday for severe thunderstorms through 5:30 p.m. for Houston County.

Residents can expect wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

“At 4:58 p.m., Doppler radar detected a severe thunderstorm near Ashford, 8 miles northeast of Cottonwood, moving west at 10 mph,” the weather service said. “Wind gusts could cause tree limbs to fall and loose objects to fly.”

Areas affected by the alert include Cottonwood, Dothan, Ashford, Cowarts, Avon, Gordon, Jakin, Saffold, Pansey, Crosby, Grangeburg, Howards Mill, Enon, Lovetown, Wilson Mill, Sealy Springs, Killarney, Ardilla and Cedar Springs.

The weather service added: “If you are outside, consider taking shelter inside a building. Heavy rains are also occurring with this storm and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle on flooded roads. Frequent cloud-to-ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike up to 10 miles (16 km) from a thunderstorm. Seek safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.”

Stay safe when lightning approaches: expert advice

Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year, with most of these electrical discharges 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, peaking when the storm is 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.
• 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.
• Lightning can follow conductive paths and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.

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, 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 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.

Driving in heavy rain: essential safety measures on wet roads

Heavy rains can cause flooding if they are prolonged or if there is excessive runoff. Excessive runoff can be caused by saturated soil and/or the intensity of the rainfall. Follow these recommendations from the weather service to stay safe during heavy rain:

Beware of fast 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:

On wet roads, it is essential to reduce your speed. Gradually release the accelerator pedal and avoid sudden braking to avoid skidding.

Choose your path wisely:

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

Prioritize visibility

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:

The first half hour of rain is when roads are most slippery due to a mixture of rain, dirt and oil. Exercise extra caution during this time.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility due to tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass quickly and safely.

Pay attention to your windshield wipers:

Overloaded wiper blades can impair visibility. If rain significantly limits your visibility, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek shelter in rest areas or sheltered areas.

If you have no choice but to pull over to the side of the road, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond the guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate 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.