COLUMBIA, MO (March 8, 2011) -

As “Severe Weather Awareness Week” continues, the Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) reminds residents that while tornadoes are a possibility during severe weather events, strong thunderstorms can also trigger other dangerous occurrences which pose a threat to life and property.

“Hail, lightning, flooding and non-tornadic high winds can be potentially as dangerous as a tornado,” says OEM Director Zim Schwartze.  “Large hail, can cause major damage and injury, lightning causes fires and can have fatal results, straight-line and microburst winds can cause damage and injury, and on average flooding kills more people than any other weather event.  The bottom line is that when severe weather threatens, it needs to be taken seriously even if there are no tornadoes associated with the storm.”

The National Weather Service criteria for a severe thunderstorm includes large hail of one inch in diameter or larger and damaging winds in excess of 58 mph.  When a severe thunderstorm warning is issued, caution should be taken to find proper shelter until the storm passes.  Keep tuned to local media and have a NOAA weather radio available to keep updated on rapidly-changing weather conditions.


Severe Thunderstorm Safety:
(Information from the National Weather Service - St. Louis, Missouri)

*Avoid traveling in a severe thunderstorm – either pull over or delay your travel plans.

*When a severe thunderstorm threatens, go to a basement if available. If not, go to a small interior room on the lowest floor and avoid windows.

*Prior to a severe thunderstorm, move your vehicles into garages or carports to help prevent hail damage, if time permits.

*If outdoors when a severe thunderstorm approaches, go quickly inside a completely enclosed building before the storm arrives.  A hard topped all metal vehicle also provides good protection. 

*If no shelter is available do not take shelter under a tree.  Avoid being the tallest object in the area.  If only isolated trees are nearby, crouch down on the balls of your feet in the open, keeping twice as far away from a tree as it is tall. 

*Get out of the water, off the beach, and out of small boats or canoes.  Avoid standing in pebbles of water even if wearing rubber boots.

*Do not use metal objects such as golf clubs, metal bats, fishing rods, or metal tools.

*Stop tractor work and heavy construction equipment, especially when pulling metal equipment.