At 7:13 p.m. on Thursday, the National Weather Service issued an updated severe thunderstorm warning for Washington County, which was in force until 7:45 p.m.
Wind gusts of up to 60 mph could be expected, so residents should be ready.
According to the meteorological service, “a severe thunderstorm was located over Valley Grove at 7:13 p.m., moving east at 5 mph.” “Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.”
The following locations are affected by the warning: Clearview, Valley Grove, Shadyside, McMechen, Glen Dale, Bridgeport, Benwood, Yorkville, West Finley, Claysville, Brookside, West Alexander, Neffs, Taylorstown, Bellaire, Warwood, Bethlehem, Triadelphia, Wheeling, and Martins Ferry.
The weather service advises, “Avoid windows and seek cover inside a sturdy building. Winds from this storm have the potential to cause damage. This storm is also bringing torrential rains, which might cause flash floods. Avoid operating a car on flooded roads.
Shielding yourself from approaching lightning: Expert safety guidelines
Approximately 25 million lightning strikes occur in the United States annually, most of which take place in the summer. The weather service reports that lightning is the cause of death for about 20 persons each year. As thunderstorms get closer, the risk of lightning increases; it peaks when the storm is directly overhead and then progressively decreases as it passes.
In order to ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, consider the following suggestions:
Plan for lightning safety:
-
When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
-
Monitor the sky for threatening signs and listen for the sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s an indication that lightning is nearby.
-
Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.
Indoor safety precautions:
-
Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
-
These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways.
Hold off till the all-clear:
-
After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
-
It’s important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.
When there is no indoor shelter:
Take these precautions to increase your safety if you are outside during a thunderstorm without access to inside shelter:
-
Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk.
-
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
-
If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
-
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It’s crucial to note that a tent provides no protection against lightning.
-
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. While water and metal don’t attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.
In conclusion, readiness and alertness are your greatest allies while dealing with the threat of lightning. You may put your safety first and drastically lower the chance of lightning-related mishaps by adhering to these rules.
Navigating rainy roads: Safety tips for wet weather
If heavy rainfall persists or if runoff is substantial, flooding may result. Saturated soils and/or heavy rainfall can cause excessive runoff. To keep safe during periods of intense rain, heed these weather service recommendations:
Watch out for flooding rivers:
Avoid parking or strolling close to culverts or drainage ditches during periods of intense precipitation, as the swift-moving water can be quite dangerous.
Keep your distances from other vehicles safe:
In heavy rain, the two-second rule of following distance is your friend. To guarantee safe spacing under unfavorable circumstances, increase it to four seconds.
Slow down and drive carefully:
Reduce your speed if it’s raining and the roads are wet. Reduce your speed gently by taking your foot off the accelerator. Never apply the brakes abruptly since this could cause the vehicle to slide.
Pick your lane carefully:
On multilane highways, stay in the middle lanes to reduce the chance of hydroplaning because water tends to pool in the outer lanes.
Visibility is important.
Turn on your headlights to improve visibility in severe rain. Rain-stained windows can hide cars in blind zones, so be cautious.
Be cautious on slick roads:
During the first half hour after the rain starts, exercise additional caution. The road becomes slick when water combines with dirt and oil on the surface.
Stay a safe distance away from big cars:
Tire spray from big vehicles and buses can make it harder to see. Pass them quickly and safely, and refrain from tailgating.
Be mindful of your wipers:
The wiper blades may be overloaded by heavy rain. It’s time to stop and wait for the rain to stop when visibility is so poor that you can’t see other cars or the road’s borders from a safe distance. Stopping at rest areas or other sheltered spaces is the best option.
If you can’t avoid the roadside, pull off as far as you can, ideally past the end of a guard rail, and wait for the storm to pass. To let other cars know where you are, turn on your emergency flashers and keep your headlights on.
You may greatly lower dangers and protect your health when it rains a lot by adhering to these safety precautions. To ensure a safe and sound voyage, keep yourself updated on weather conditions and follow local authorities’ instructions.
United Robots offers a service called Advance Local Weather Alerts that gathers the most recent information from the National Weather Service using machine learning.
