Sirens are meant to warn those who are outdoors. If you hear a siren, turn on a radio or TV to hear safety information and seek shelter immediately. The typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of 30 minutes. Thunderstorms can produce a strong out rush of wind known as a downburst or straight-line winds which may exceed 120 mph. They can overturn mobile homes, tear roofs off houses and topple trees.
Hail annually causes nearly one billion dollars in damage nationally.
Many of the losses are incurred by farmers. Large hailstones fall at speeds faster than 100 mph and have been known to kill people. Lightning Lightning kills around 100 Americans annually with about 300 others injured. If it is not raining there is no danger from lightning. Rubber tires on a vehicle will protect you from being injured by lightning.