Thunderstorms with damaging winds in Walker and Winston counties

At 9:58 p.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Walker and Winston counties that was in effect until 11:15 p.m.

Residents should prepare for wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour.

“At 9:57 p.m., severe thunderstorms were observed along a line extending from 8 miles southeast of Red Bay to near Glen Allen to near Ashcraft Corner, moving at a speed of 60 miles per hour moving northeast,” the weather service said. “Expect significant tree damage. Damage to mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings is likely.”

Locations affected by the warning include Jasper, Haleyville, Sumiton, Cordova, Dora, Carbon Hill, Lynn, Arley, Double Springs, Parrish, Oakman, Addison, Sipsey, West Jefferson, Kansas, Nauvoo, Eldridge, Camp McDowell, Ashbank and Burnwell.

The weather service says: “Be alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado, immediately go to the basement or a small central room in a sturdy structure. For your protection, go indoors on the lowest floor of a building. A tornado warning is in effect for central, northwest and west-central Alabama until 4 a.m.

When lightning threatens: expert safety tips for thunderstorms

Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with most of these electrifying events occurring in the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning strikes claim about 20 lives each year, according to the weather service. The closer a thunderstorm comes, the greater the risk of thunderstorms. It peaks when the storm is directly overhead and gradually fades as it moves away.

To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, consider the following recommendations:

Lightning protection plan:

• When heading outdoors, it’s important to have a lightning protection plan.
• Stay alert by watching the sky for threatening signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is heard, it is a clear sign of lightning nearby.
• Immediately seek shelter in a safe place, preferably indoors.

Indoor safety measures:

• Once sheltered indoors, avoid using corded telephones, electrical appliances or plumbing fixtures, and avoid being near 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 strike of lightning or thunder before resuming outdoor activities.
• It’s important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm appears to be over. So be careful.

If covered accommodation is not available:

If you are outdoors during a thunderstorm and do not have access to covered shelter, follow these steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge tops as these places you at a higher risk of lightning.
• Stay away from tall, isolated trees and other conspicuous objects. In wooded areas, stay near lower stands of trees.
• If you are traveling with a group, make sure that individuals are spread out to prevent lightning currents from being transmitted between people.
• Camping outdoors during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, 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.
• Do not approach water, wet objects or metal objects. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, preparation and vigilance are your best allies when faced with the threat of lightning. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety.

Coping with Heavy Rain: Important Safety Measures for Wet Roads

When it rains heavily, safety comes first. Equip yourself with these guidelines from the Weather Service to navigate wet roads and avoid hazards:

Beware of rapid water flow:

During heavy rain, you should avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches as fast-moving water can pose a major hazard.

Maintain safe driving distances:

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

Slow down and drive carefully:

On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. To prevent skidding, gradually ease off the accelerator pedal and avoid sudden braking.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stay toward the center lanes – water often collects in the outside lanes.

Prioritize visibility

Turn on your headlights and pay attention to other vehicles in the background and in your blind spots, as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.

Be careful of slippery roads:

Be particularly careful in the first half hour after the rain begins. Dirt and oil on the road surface mix with water and make the road slippery.

Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles:

Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by the large tires impairs your visibility. Also be careful when passing; If you must pass, do so quickly and safely.

Pay attention to your windshield wipers:

Overloaded wiper blades can impair visibility. If rain severely limits your visibility, stop and wait for conditions to improve. Seek shelter in rest areas or sheltered areas.

If the side of the road is your only option, drive off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guardrail, and wait for the storm to pass. Keep your headlights on and turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers to your position.

During heavy rain, these precautions can go a long way toward ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to keep up to date with weather conditions and follow advice from 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.