The Weather Report: Spring Weather Safety Tips to Keep in Mind

It’s that time of year again. Temperatures start to rise, St. Louis gets humid and sticky, and everyone starts warming up their ACs for summer. However, during this transition, there are still different forms of dangerous weather to account for. We live in the midwest after all, which is notorious for weather conditions that spring up out of nowhere and catch you by surprise. It’s always a good idea to have a plan of action if something crops up, such as tornado sirens or flood warnings.

A General Spring Safety Plan

You never know when spring will surprise you, which is why your home should always have an emergency supply stash placed somewhere safe. Gather food and supplies that can last at least 72 hours, ideally all nonperishable and sealed. Check the weather forecast in the morning, monitor it throughout the day, and plan for potential storms later in the week. Weather monitoring isn’t always completely accurate, but more often than not they can prepare you for the worst before it strikes.

Have a reliable form of backup communication method in case of an emergency. This doesn’t need to be anything elaborate like a satellite phone, but extra chargers, external batteries, and hotspots for your phone go a long way when power goes out for extended periods or the internet goes down.

Tornado Safety Tips to Keep the Twisters From Affecting Your Family

You’ve likely heard it all before, but a refresher never hurt anyone. When tornado sirens start going off and the weather looks grim, head to the lowest level of your home, get under something sturdy, and cover your head with your arms. If you aren’t in the tornado’s path, going down to the lowest level of the home is still advisable as it’s the least likely to take damage from the storm. If your home doesn’t have a lower level, consider going to a friend or family member’s home to take shelter.

If this still isn’t an option, move to an inner room or hallway of the home and stay away from windows. Bathtubs, beds, or sofas provide an extra layer of protection against possible debris if windows break. In apartment complexes with multiple stories, the stairwell is one of the more sheltered locations, so this can be used as a good refuge as well.

Don’t seek shelter in vehicles, as they are easily tossed around in high winds. If you’re caught outside or leaving your vehicle for safety, lie flat on the ground facedown away from vehicles and trees with your hands covering your head.

Flood Safety Tips to Stay Above the Water Line

With rain like we’ve had recently, you should be careful when going outside or driving anywhere near running water. Don’t walk or drive through floodwaters. It only takes six inches of moving water to knock a person down and 12-18 inches to pick up or carry a vehicle. If you receive an evacuation order, leave immediately. You may think that you can weather the storm, but it’s better to be alive with a flooded home than the alternative.

If your home is affected by floodwaters, don’t enter rooms with submerged electrical outlets until you know the power has been turned off and a professional has given the all-clear. Water conducts electricity even without visual stimuli, so always be wary of submerged outlets, wires, or electrical equipment.

Lightning Safety During Severe Storms

If you can hear thunder, then you are close enough for lightning to strike. Immediately go inside or stay in cover until the storm passes. If you’re outside, move away from hills or elevated areas. Find shelter in enclosed buildings or vehicles with metal tops with the windows up. Should lightning strike the vehicle, call emergency services and wait for someone to arrive who can ground the electricity.

When indoors, stay off of equipment that can put you into direct contact with electricity like computers. For computers or other vital electrical equipment in the house, consider purchasing a surge protector to keep them from being adversely affected by lightning. Stay away from windows and running water in case they are affected by electricity. Wait out the storm and assess the state of your home once it’s passed.

Spring Weather Safety is a Must

When conditions look dangerous, seek shelter. If you are affected by storms or dangerous weather, call Mehlville Fire Protection District so we can come and provide aid. We are ready to assist at any hour, so don’t hesitate to call if you need help. Also, be sure to keep track of the weather locally and through the National Weather Service so you never get caught by surprise. Stay inside, keep your family safe, and enjoy the fresh spring weather when it isn’t pouring down rain.