Severe Thunderstorm
Thunderstorms occur frequently during the afternoon and evening hours of Florida's hot, humid spring and summer months, but they can occur year-round and they are always dangerous. Thunderstorms may occur singly, in clusters, or in lines, and typically produce very heavy rain for a relatively brief period, anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
All thunderstorms have lightning, and the often torrential rain associated with a thunderstorm can cause rapid flooding in low-lying areas; but these systems are classified as “severe thunderstorms” by the National Weather Service when they include the potential for one or more of the following:
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hail one inch or greater in diameter,
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wind gusts in excess of 57.5 mph, or
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a tornado.
Before
During
After
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Keep your home "storm-ready." Trim trees and branches near your house. Ideally, no part of a tree should touch your home, and branches that hang over your roofline should be cut regularly.
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Declutter drains and gutters. Install plumbing check valves. Consider installing a sump pump with a backup battery to handle flooding rains.
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Prevent potential mosquito breeding grounds. Regularly clean birdbaths and water bowls; bring in or drain and cover outdoor items.
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Consider having environmentally friendly larvicide like Dunks on hand to put into standing water after heavy rains to keep disease-causing mosquitoes from multiplying.
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Check the local news or a NOAA Weather Radio forecast regularly to see if you're at risk for severe weather.
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Sign up for Severe Thunderstorm Warnings through the AlertNassau notification system.
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Pick a safe room in your home as your storm shelter - an interior room (with no windows) on the lowest floor where people and pets can go when severe thunderstorm warnings are issued. A bathroom or closet can protect you from flying debris.
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If you have time before severe weather hits, secure loose objects, close windows and doors, and move any valuable objects inside or under a sturdy structure.
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Encourage your loved ones and neighbors to prepare for severe thunderstorms.
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If you have time before the severe weather hits, secure loose objects, close windows and doors, and move any valuable objects inside or under a sturdy structure.
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Continue to listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated.
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When a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued, damaging wind or large hail are approaching, Shelter-In-Place:
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At Home - Go to an interior room (with no windows) on the lowest floor. Take your pets with you.
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At Work or School - Stay away from windows. Do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums or auditoriums.
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Outside - Go inside a sturdy, site-built structure immediately. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe. Taking shelter under a tree can be deadly - it puts you at a greater risk of getting struck by lightning and the tree, or heavy branches, may fall.
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In a Vehicle - Being in a vehicle during severe thunderstorms is safer than being outside; however, drive to the closest secure shelter if there is sufficient time.
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Continue listening to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed - more severe thunderstorms could be headed your way.
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Let your family and close friends know that you're okay. Text messages are more reliable than phone calls.
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After the severe weather threat has ended, check your property for damage. Stay out of damaged buildings. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes to walk through damage and debris. Don't let pets walk around in debris.
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Contact local authorities if you see power lines down.
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If your home is damaged, take photographs and contact your insurance agent. Beware of people who drive up and offer to repair your property.
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Check on your neighbors. If you come across someone who is injured, provide first aid (if you are trained and able) and call 9-1-1 to alert emergency responders.
Keep Your Home "Storm-Ready"
