This has been severe weather awareness week in our area. We have discussed the use of the Significant Weather Outlook to know what is expected each day. Watches are issued when severe weather is possible within the next several hours, and a warning is issued when severe weather is occurring or imminent. If you encounter lightning , the safest place to be is indoors. However, if caught outside, make yourself the smallest target possible, and minimize your contact with the ground.
Severe thunderstorms can produce damaging winds , large hail , and sometimes tornadoes .
The best safety measure is to move inside a sturdy building and stay away from windows that can shatter in strong winds. If there is a tornado or very strong wind, seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor away from windows. If outside, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression. If flooding occurs, go to higher ground and stay away from the flood waters. NOAA Weather Radio is the best means to receive warnings from the National Weather Service.