It’s Severe Weather Season in

Kentucky

What is Severe Weather?Three types of severe weather are possible in spring and summer in Kentucky:• thunderstorms• flooding• tornadoes

Weather is considered severe when weather conditions might cause injury or death.

ThunderstormsA thunderstorm is heavy rain with lightning and thunder.

Thunderstorms

Severe ThunderstormsSome thunderstorms are more dangerous than others- they are called severe thunderstorms.They have at least one of these: • large hail-1 inch (2.5 cm) • severe (storm-force) winds of 58 miles per hour (93 km/h) or greater• tornadoes likely• or any combination of the three

ThunderstormsLightning is the most dangerous part of a storm.Last summer two men in central Kentucky were killed by lightning as they ran to a barn.

Lightning is the #2 weather killer in the U.S.- killing more than hurricanes and tornadoes combined! (only floods kill more people)

ThunderstormsAbout 10% of people struck by lightning are killed.Almost all people struck by lightning have injuries that affect them the rest of their lives.

Lightning Safety PrecautionsNever stay outside during a thunderstorm.If you can hear thunder- even if you can’t see lightning- you should look for shelter immediately.The best shelter is inside a building or a house.Inside a car with the windows up is the second best place to be.

If No Building or Car is NearbyIf you feel your hair stand on end (an indication that lightning is about to strike)- • do not lie flat on the ground • squat low to the ground and

put your hands over your ears and your head between your knees

• make yourself as small as possible and minimize contact with the ground

If No Building or Car is NearbyPicnic shelters and small restrooms are not safe places to be in a storm!

Lightning Safety PrecautionsIf you are in your house or apartment• stay away from water- no showers, no baths and no washing dishes• stay away from windows•do not use telephones with cords- cordless phones and cell phones are okay•wait 30 minutes after you last hear thunder before going out

Lightning Safety PrecautionsYou should protect your appliances with a surge protector. Plug in your

•computer•TV•DVD player•cell phone

If the lightning is very close, you might want to unplug things completely.

FloodsA flood occurs when it rains for a long time (hours or days) and the water does not drain fast enough.

FloodsIn Lexington there are several places where there is often water over the road because the road is low.

FloodsStorm drains in Lexington can also be dangerous when there has been heavy rain.

FloodsStorm drains in Lexington can also be dangerous when there has been heavy rain.

Flash FloodsWhen it rains very heavily in a short period of time, there might be a flash flood.

Flash FloodsLexington does not usually have flash floods, but some nearby towns do.

FloodsIf there is water over the road, you should never try to drive through it.

FloodsThe water may be flowing fast enough to sweep your car away or be deep enough to ruin the engine.

TornadoesA tornado is a violently rotating column of air which drops from a thunderstorm cloud to the ground.

TornadoesHere is a tornado developing.

Tornadoes in Kentucky 2012

EF0=65-85, EF1=86-110, EF2=111-135EF3=136-165, EF4=166-200, EF5=201-240

Tornadoes in Kentucky 2012West Liberty Kentucky was hit by an EF3 tornado in March of 2012.

Preparing for Severe WeatherThe National Weather Service issues watches and warnings for severe storms, flash floods and tornadoes.

Preparing for Severe WeatherA watch means severe weather is possible during the next few hours.

A warning means that severe weather has already been observed (by sight or by radar) or is expected very soon.

Preparing for Severe Weather

Preparing for Severe Weather

Most cities have sirens which blow when a tornado has been seen or is very likely.

Preparing for Severe WeatherIf you are outdoors, you should look for indoor shelter immediately. No place outside is safe-including in your car.

Preparing for Severe WeatherDo not try to outrun the tornado in your car.

Preparing for Severe WeatherDo not seek shelter in an overpass.

Preparing for Severe WeatherIf you are indoors you may not hear the tornado siren.Tornadoes often occur at night, so you may want to purchase a weather alert radio or a smart phone app that will wake you up if a tornado is coming.

Preparing for Severe WeatherMost injuries in tornadoes come from flying or falling debris.•pick a safe room in your house or apartment• choose an interior room on the lowest level of your house, as far away as possible from windows, doors, and outside walls• if your apartment is not safe, plan ahead for another location to go to

Preparing for Severe Weathera safe room

In your safe room you should have: •non-perishable food•bottled water•a first-aid kit•a battery-powered radio and batteries•a flashlight and batteries•spare, sturdy clothes and shoes for every family member (in case you have to run to the safe room in your pajamas)

Preparing for Severe Weather

Preparing for Severe Weather

go to the lowest floor

If you are in an apartment:

Preparing for Severe WeatherIf you are in an apartment: • stay away from windows •go to a small center room (like a bathroom or closet), if there is one

Preparing for Severe WeatherIf you are in an apartment:

get under a stairwell

Preparing for Severe WeatherIf you are in an apartment:

go to an interior hallway with no windows

• crouch as low as possible to the floor, facing down • cover your head with your hands

Preparing for Severe WeatherIf you are in an apartment:

•get into the bathtub • cover yourself with some sort of thick padding (mattress, blankets)

Preparing for Severe WeatherIf you are in an apartment:

a helmet can offer some protection against head injury

Preparing for Severe WeatherIf you are in an apartment:

So What Should You Do Now?• look for a safe place to go if there is a tornado warning or a severe thunderstorm warning• prepare a plan for when severe weather comes• talk to your family about the plan• practice the plan regularly with your familyAnd Stay

Safe!