Prepare for pea-sized hail with thunderstorms in Greene County on Monday

An updated report was issued by the National Weather Service Monday at 8:10 p.m. for severe thunderstorms through 8:45 p.m. for Greene County.

Prepare for pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) and wind gusts up to 50 mph.

“At 8:10 p.m., Doppler radar detected severe thunderstorms along a line extending from Powhatan Point to Paden City. Movement was east at 35 mph,” the weather service said. “Wind gusts could cause tree limbs to fall and loose objects to fly. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.”

Areas affected by the alert include New Martinsville, Paden City, Cameron, Pine Grove, Hundred, Sardis, Aleppo, New Freeport, Wileyville, Proctor, Big Run, Reader, Knob Fork, Littleton, Lynn Camp, Porters Falls, Glen Easton, Hannibal and Earnshaw.

The weather service comments: “If you are outside, consider taking shelter inside a building.”

Protecting yourself from lightning: safety tips from the experts

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.
• Watch the sky for signs of danger and listen for thunder. If you hear thunder, it is an indication that lightning is nearby.
• Find a safe place to take shelter, preferably indoors.

Safety measures inside:

• Once inside, avoid using landline phones, 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 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 that individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transmitting 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, preparation and vigilance are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning incidents and prioritize your safety.

Mastering Wet Roads: Safety Tips for Heavy Rain

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

Visibility is important:

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.

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:

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.