Summer Storm Awareness

1/27/2022 (Permalink)

Summer is in full swing, and it brings with it all the things about summer we love. Many of us have vacations we’ve been waiting on seemingly forever, higher temperatures practically beg us to hit the pool or beach, and days are long and full of sunshine—well, most of the time, that is.

If it sometimes seems as though summer months lend themselves to more thunderstorms, that would be because it’s totally true. Atmospheric conditions, especially in certain parts of the country, are more amenable to creating them, given the presence of the two things most necessary for storms to emerge, namely moisture and warm air.

Here in Hawaii, our storms are more rare, though, but Kona storms do come and cause inconvenience. Last year, we received our first tornado warnings in over a decade.

Though storms may be a common part of summer, that doesn’t mean they should be treated lightly. Always pay attention to storm alerts, and consider cancelling outdoor events if heavy storms are predicted.

Pay attention to local weather forecasts, and get yourself an NOAA Weather radio to continue to receive alerts if power is lost.

Flooding is always possible and rarely predictable, but if it’s deemed likely, you should plan to stay at home and off the roads. Extreme storms can break tree branches and throw backyard objects and trash cans around. Keep trees trimmed and move garbage cans and patio furniture to safe locations.

Dozens of people die every year in storm-related incidents, so caution is always the best choice. Taking storms for granted is a mistake.

Stay indoors when lightning is present. It’s not safe to go back outside until you haven’t heard thunder for a full half hour, because lightning can strike up to 10 miles from the nearest rain.

Your mother was right—you should stay away from windows and avoid bathing or showering during a storm.

In cases of tornadoes or extreme thunderstorms, make sure you have an emergency kit prepared, and that you know the evacuation route for your area.

If flooding occurs, stay on high ground and avoid flood waters if at all possible. Do not attempt to drive or walk through moving water, as it can easily knock you down or even carry your car away. It can also conceal roads that have been totally washed away.

There are any number of dangers that can come into play in a thunderstorm, and it’s always best to be cautious and put things on hold until storms safely pass. If storms cause damage to your home or business, SERVPRO is ready to make things right again.