Weather warning for severe thunderstorms in Winston County on Sunday morning

An updated National Weather Service report was issued at 10:13 a.m. Sunday, reporting severe thunderstorms until 10:45 a.m. for Winston County.

Residents could face wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour.

“At 10:13 a.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Moreland, 8 miles northwest of Arley, moving east at 20 mph,” the weather service said. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow over unsecured objects.”

Locations affected by the warning include Arley, Double Springs, Addison, Houston Recreational Area, Nesmith, Brushy Lake, Helicon, Inmanfield, Sardis, Corinth Rec Area, Moreland, Winston Free State Barn, Smith Lake, Houston, Mill Branch, Hullett Branch, Winston County Airport, Cane Creek, Bull Branch and Yellow Creek.

According to the weather service: “If you are outdoors, seek shelter inside a building. This storm will also produce torrential rain, which may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.”

When lightning threatens: Safety tips from experts during thunderstorms

Lightning strikes occur about 25 million times each year in the United States, with the majority of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months. Tragically, lightning strikes claim the lives of about 20 people each year, according to the Weather Service. The risk of lightning strikes increases as thunderstorms approach, peaking when the storm is directly overhead. However, it gradually subsides as the storm recedes.

To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, follow these recommendations:

Lightning protection plan:

• If you are outdoors, it is important to have a lightning protection plan.
• Stay alert by watching the skies for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it is a clear sign of lightning nearby.
• Immediately seek shelter in a safe place, preferably indoors.

Indoor safety measures:

• Avoid using corded telephones, electrical appliances or plumbing indoors and stay away from windows and doors.
• Lightning can follow conductive paths and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.

Wait for the all-clear:

• Wait at least 30 minutes after the last lightning strike or clap of thunder before resuming outdoor activities.
• Even when a thunderstorm appears to be over, lightning can still strike, so be careful.

If no shelter is available in the house:

If you are outdoors during a thunderstorm and do not have access to shelter, take the following steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops or ridges where the risk of lightning strikes is greater.
• Stay away from tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
• If you are traveling in a group, make sure that everyone keeps a sufficient distance from each other to prevent the lightning current from being transmitted between people.
• Camping outdoors during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no other options, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying area. It is important to note that a tent does not provide protection from lightning strikes.
• Do not approach bodies of water, wet objects, or metal objects. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they are good conductors of electricity and can pose significant risks.

In summary, vigilance and preparation are your best allies when you are at risk of being struck by lightning. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning accidents and put your safety first.

Navigating in heavy rain: Important safety measures for wet roads

Heavy rains can cause flooding if they last for a long time or if there is excessive runoff. Excessive runoff can be due to saturated soil and/or rainfall intensity. Follow these weather service recommendations to stay safe during heavy rain:

Be careful in case of flooding:

During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches where fast-flowing water can pose a serious hazard.

Keep the safety distance:

Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you, and add an additional two seconds in heavy rain.

Reduce speed and drive carefully:

On wet roads, it is extremely important to slow down. Ease off the accelerator and avoid sudden braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane carefully:

Stay in the middle lanes as water often collects in the outside lanes.

Prioritize visibility

Turn on your headlights and watch for other vehicles behind you and in your blind spot, as they are particularly difficult to see through rain-soaked windows.

Be careful on slippery roads:

During the first half hour of rain, 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:

Do not drive too close behind large trucks or buses. The spray created by their large tires will limit your visibility. Also be careful when overtaking; if you must overtake, do so quickly and safely.

Pay attention to your windshield wipers:

Overloaded wiper blades can reduce visibility. If rain is severely affecting your visibility, pull over to the side of the road and wait for conditions to improve. Seek shelter in rest areas or places sheltered from the wind.

If you can only stop at the side of the road, position your vehicle as far from the road as possible, ideally behind guard rails. Leave your headlights on and activate your hazard lights to alert other drivers to your position.

In heavy rain, these precautions can go a long way to keeping you safe on the road. Remember to check weather conditions and follow the instructions of local authorities to ensure a safe journey.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service from United Robots that uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.