A severe thunderstorm warning was issued by the National Weather Service at 7:14 p.m. Friday for severe thunderstorms through 7:45 p.m. for Greene and Fayette counties.
The storms could bring pea-sized (0.25 inch) hail and wind gusts up to 40 mph.
“At 7:13 p.m., Doppler radar detected a severe thunderstorm near Cassville, 7 miles northwest of Star City, moving northeast at 15 mph,” the weather service said. “Wind gusts could down tree limbs and blow loose objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.”
The communities affected by the alert include Star City, Masontown, Fairdale, Jefferson Boro, Point Marion, Granville, Cassville, Bobtown, Nemacolin, Carmichaels, Rices Landing, Greensboro, Clarksville, Mount Morris, Pentress, Osage and Core. This includes the following highways: Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 0 and 13. Interstate 79 in West Virginia between mile markers 155 and 160.
The weather service says: “If you are outside, consider taking shelter inside a building. Frequent cloud-to-ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike up to 10 miles (16 km) from a thunderstorm. Seek safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.”
Lightning on the horizon: Experts’ safety measures in case of thunderstorms
Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year, with most of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning kills about 20 people each year, according to the weather service. The risk of lightning incidents increases as thunderstorms approach, peaking when the storm is directly overhead. However, it gradually decreases as the storm moves away.
To ensure your safety during a storm, consider the following recommendations:
Lightning Safety Plan:
- When venturing outdoors, it is essential to have a lightning safety plan in place.
- Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for any ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it is a clear indication that lightning is nearby.
- Find a safe place to take shelter, preferably indoors.
Safety measures inside:
- Once you have found shelter indoors, refrain from using landline phones, electrical appliances or plumbing fixtures, and avoid going near windows and doors.
- Lightning can follow conductive paths and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.
Wait for the green light:
- After the last lightning or thunder strike, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
- Lightning can strike even when a storm appears to have passed, so be careful.
When indoor shelter is not available:
If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, follow these steps to maximize your safety:
- Avoid open fields, hilltops or ridges, which put you at higher risk of lightning.
- Avoid large, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower trees.
- If you are in a group, make sure individuals are spaced apart to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
- Camping in an open area during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no other choice, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying area. It is important to note that a tent does not provide any protection from lightning.
- Stay away from bodies of water, wet objects, or metal objects. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they are efficient conductors of electricity and can pose significant risks.
In summary, when faced with the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparation are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.
Driving in the rain: safety tips for wet roads
Heavy rains can cause flooding if they are prolonged or if there is excessive runoff. Excessive runoff can be caused by saturated soil and/or the intensity of the rainfall. Follow these recommendations from the weather service to stay safe during heavy rain:
Beware of flooded waterways:
Avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, as fast-flowing water during heavy rains can potentially carry you away.
Maintain safe driving distances:
Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you, and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain.
Reduce speed and drive carefully:
If it is raining and the road is wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and gradually reduce your speed. Never use the brakes suddenly, as this could cause the car to skid.
Choose your path wisely:
Stay in the middle lanes: water tends to collect in the outside lanes.
Visibility is important:
Turn on your headlights and watch out for other vehicles behind you and in blind spots, as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.
Beware of slippery roads:
The first half hour of rain is when the roads are most slippery due to a mixture of rain, dirt and oil. Be especially careful during this time.
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:
Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. Water spray from their large tires reduces your visibility. Also, be careful when passing them; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.
Pay attention to your windshield wipers:
Heavy rain can overload windshield wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to stop. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas.
If you have no choice but to pull over to the side of the road, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond the guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate your hazard lights to alert other drivers of your location.
By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce the risks and ensure your well-being in the event of heavy rain. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed the advice of local authorities to ensure your safety during your trip.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
