Arizona is known for our fantastic storms.
Here are some tips to help you protect yourself and your family when a big storm hits.
Outdoors
- Lightning is attracted to metal and water, and often strike the tallest objects.
- YOU ARE IN A STRIKE ZONE IF YOU HEAR THUNDER FIVE SECONDS OR LESS AFTER YOU SEE LIGHTNING!
- Stay away from wide, open areas such as fields and golf courses.
- Stay off hilltops and other high points of land.
- Don’t stand near trees or tall poles
- Get at least 7 feet away from tall objects
- Avoid metal objects such as golf carts and clubs, lawn mowers and pipes.
- Get to the lowest point of ground you can, and kneel or squat to minimize your contact points with the ground.
- Do not lie flat. This will make you a bigger target.
- Don’t huddle with others. Spread out at least 15 feet apart.
- Remove golf shoes or steel-toed boots.
- If you’re out on the water, get to land.
- If you’re in a pool, get out.
Downed Power Lines
- Stay at least 100 feet away
- If the power line has fallen on your car while you’re in it, don’t touch anything metal in the car, and stay inside until professional help arrives.
- Never try to help someone trapped by a power line. You endanger your own safety. Instead, call 911 immediately.
Indoor Safety
- Stay away from windows during strong winds. Tree limbs and other objects can be a hazard.
- Electrical wiring attracts lightning. Don’t use the telephone, except for emergencies.
- Lighting can move through a home’s plumbing, attracted to the metal or water.
- Don’t use using sinks and showers.
- Unplug computers, televisions and other delicate electronic equipment. Consider
- attaching surge protectors to such equipment.
Driving Safety
- Don’t enter a dust storm if you can avoid it.
- Turn headlights on and drive a slow and prudent speed.
- If you pull off the road, get as far to the right as possible.
- Turn off the car and headlights, and set the parking brake. Keep your foot off the brake pedal – other drivers may think you’re a car is moving.
In Rain
- Rain reduces traction and causes streets to be slippery. Slow your speed accordingly.
- Water on roads may be deeper than it looks. Watch for vehicles travelling too fast. They can throw up blinding sheets of water.
- Don’t cross rain-swollen washes. You can be caught in a flash flood that can sweep you and your vehicle away.
- Pay attention to hazard signs and roadblocks. Ignoring them threatens life and property, and can result in enforcement action by police.
- Stuck in a wash: It is possible to lose control of a vehicle in 6 inches of water. Most vehicles will begin to float in 2 feet of water.
- If you have a phone, call 911.
- If you can, climb onto the roof and wait to be rescued.
- If the water is still low and you can wade to safety, do so, but beware of floating debris
