Severe Summer Weather

Severe summer weather is classified as thunderstorms, hail, lightning and damaging wind. Each of these hazards has its own severity measure and often all four occur in one storm system, causing much more damage than each would have alone.  Based on data from 1999 to 2008, Franklin County can undergo as many as 15 severe thunderstorm warnings each year.

Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security would like to offer the following safety preparedness information about severe summer weather to help keep you and your family safe. 

Indoors:

• Stay away from windows.
• Use flashlights if the power goes out. Have a battery-powered NOAA weather radio on hand to monitor weather reports.
• Discontinue use of landline phones and electrical equipment. You may want to unplug appliances and computers.
• Avoid taking a shower or bath. If lightning strikes your house it may send a current of electricity across metal plumbing throughout the house.

Outdoors:

• Stay low. If possible, find shelter in a building.
• Keep away from trees, tall objects, metal objects and water.
• Boaters and swimmers should get to land as soon as possible.

While driving:

• Reduce your speed.
• Pull off to the shoulder of the road. Be sure you’re away from tall objects, such as trees, which could fall due to wind or lightning, Do not clog highway underpasses.
• Turn on your emergency flashers, and remain in the car until the storm passes.
• Do not touch any metal objects in the car.
• Avoid driving on roads covered by water.

For more information about severe summer weather visit: www.ready.gov/thunderstorms-lightning