... And The Thunder Rolls!
By Shaunda Rauch on July 03, 2013 from Emergency Services Blog
You'd think that someone in my line of work wouldn't be completely enthralled by severe thunderstorms ... the bright crack of lightning ... the booming of thunder, but every single time I stand in awe of the power of nature. Power that is beautiful to behold, but quite frequently forgotten to be a fatal power.
All thunderstorms are dangerous. Every thunderstorm produces lightning. While lightning fatalities have decreased over the past 30 years, lightning continues to be one of the top three storm-related killers in the United States. In 2010 there were 29 fatalities and 182 injuries from lightning. Although most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms [Ready.gov].
Other associated dangers of thunderstorms include tornadoes, strong winds, hail and flash flooding. Flash flooding is responsible for more fatalities -- more than 140 annually -- than any other thunderstorm-associated hazard. Dry thunderstorms that do not produce rain that reaches the ground are most prevalent in the western United States. Falling raindrops evaporate, but lightning can still reach the ground and can start wildfires.
The Emergency Services Department wants to makes sure that you know what you need to in order to be protected from these severe weather events. The next edition of the Bridgeport Emergency Reach Out events will be held on Tuesday, July 16th at 6:45 PM in Council Chambers featuring “THUNDERSTORMS, TORNADOES, LIGHTNING … NATURE’S MOST VIOLENT STORMS”.
This Bridgeport Emergency Reach Out event will explain thunderstorms and tornadoes and suggest life-saving actions YOU can take. With this information, YOU can recognize severe weather, develop a plan and be ready to act when threatening weather approaches. Remember, your safety, and the safety of those in your care, is up to YOU!
We will also focus on mitigation steps you can take to help secure your home/shelter so that when these severe storms come, you and your family can be safely sheltered from the power of Mother Nature. The steps you take to prepare yourself now will help protect you and your family for years to come.
Oh, and don’t forget to bring your kids. They will get to participate in “READY KIDS” and learn about disaster preparedness and public safety too.
• FREE Midland NOAA Weather Radio to the first 30 attendees. One per family. First come, first serve.
• You do not need to RSVP for this Emergency Reach Out event.
• Each event will last approximately one hour.
• For more information contact Shaunda Rauch, Emergency Services Director at srauch@bridgeportwv.com.
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