As the weather warms, it’s especially important to be alert for severe weather. Rain, lightning, flooding, high winds and even the occasional tornado or hail storm are all possible during the spring and summer months.
With that in mind, San Patricio Electric Cooperative would like to remind you of these important safety tips:
1.Put together an emergency kit. Storms can pop up without warning, and depending on the severity, you may lose power or be forced to evacuate your home. Ensure you’re always prepared by creating an emergency kit. Your kit should include essential supplies for you and your family and be easily accessible in the event of an emergency. Check out our list of items to include in your emergency kit.
2.Create a family emergency plan. Sit down with your family and come up with a communications plan in case of an emergency. You may not all be together during a bad storm or flood, so it’s important to decide how you’ll keep in touch. Ideally, your family emergency plan should address where to meet, list emergency contacts and outline responsibilities for each person.
3.Clean up your yard. Before a storm hits, secure anything that might fly around and cause damage during high winds. Trim tree branches and remove dead or rotting trees that could fall and cause damage or injury.
4.Protect your animals. If you have pets that stay outdoors, make sure any structures that house them are protected and secured. Consider bringing your pet inside your home or garage if severe weather is expected.
5.Unplug electronics. Electronic equipment such as TVs, DVD players, stereos and computers can be damaged during a thunderstorm. If lightning strikes your home, it could burn up expensive electrical appliances and equipment that are still left plugged in.
6.Remember to steer clear of power lines. High winds, lightning, fallen trees and car accidents during a storm could cause a power line to fall down. All down power lines should be considered live and dangerous. We ask that you keep away from them and call us immediately. (It’s also a good idea to know what to do if your car crashes into a pole.)
7.Know the difference between a watch and a warning. During a watch, conditions are favorable for severe weather. You should keep an eye on the weather and be prepared to act if conditions escalate. During a warning severe weather is already occurring or is imminent. You should take the necessary precautions to stay safe.
8.When you see lighting, get inside. If you can hear thunder, the storm is close enough that you could be struck by lightning. As a general rule of thumb, find shelter as soon as you hear thunder. Lightning is the most powerful form of electricity and it’s always looking for a way to get to the ground. It’s typically attracted to trees and buildings, but it can also strike people who are out in a storm. When you see lighting, it’s best to get inside the nearest building and keep away from windows and doors.
9.If you can’t reach a building, get in a hard top vehicle. Although a building is the safest place to be during a thunderstorm, a hard top vehicle is an acceptable alternative. The metal frame of a car can improve your protection during lightning storm.
10.Turn around, don’t drown. Practice safety on the road. If you come across a low water crossing during a storm or flash flood warning, find an alternative route. All it takes is 12 inches of rushing water to carry away a car.