Option 1 (More concise): > Strong thunderstorms expected midday Friday in Washington and Mobile counties. Option 2 (Slightly more detail): > Washington and Mobile counties: Expect strong thunderstorms Friday afternoon. Option 3 (Adding a bit more urgency, but still brief): > Strong thunderstorms are forecast for Washington and Mobile counties Friday midday. Prepare accordingly.
Byadmin
Dec 27, 2024Option 2 (Slightly more detail):
> Washington and Mobile counties: Expect strong thunderstorms Friday afternoon.
Option 3 (Adding a bit more urgency, but still brief):
> Strong thunderstorms are forecast for Washington and Mobile counties Friday midday. Prepare accordingly.
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The National Weather Service issued an updated report at 11:34 a.m. on Friday, warning of strong thunderstorms until 12:15 p.m. in Washington and Mobile counties. Residents could experience wind gusts up to 50 mph. At 11:34 a.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm 5 miles north of Wilmer (11 miles east of Lucedale), moving northeast at 25 mph. Gusty winds were expected to knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. The alert impacted Movico, Citronelle, Gulfcrest, Mount Vernon, and Deer Park. The weather service advised seeking shelter indoors if outdoors.
Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, mostly during summer. The National Weather Service reports that lightning kills about 20 people annually. The danger is greatest when a thunderstorm is directly overhead. For lightning safety:
* Develop a lightning safety plan: Monitor the sky and listen for thunder. If you hear thunder, lightning is near; seek immediate indoor shelter.
* Indoor safety: Avoid corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing, windows, and doors to reduce the risk of electrical surges. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last lightning strike or thunderclap before resuming outdoor activities.
* Outdoor safety (if no indoor shelter is available): Avoid open fields, hilltops, ridge crests, tall isolated trees, and prominent objects. In forests, stay near lower trees. Spread out if in a group. Avoid camping in the open; if necessary, camp in a low-lying area (a tent offers no lightning protection). Avoid water, wet objects, and metal.
Heavy rainfall can lead to flooding. The National Weather Service offers these safety recommendations for driving in heavy rain:
* Avoid hazards: Don’t park or walk near culverts or drainage ditches.
* Maintain safe distances: Use the two-second rule, adding an extra two seconds in heavy rain.
* Drive cautiously: Slow down gradually; avoid sudden braking. Use middle lanes to minimize hydroplaning risk.
* Increase visibility: Turn on headlights. Be aware of vehicles in blind spots.
* Slick roads: Roads are slickest in the first half-hour of rain. Exercise extra caution.
* Large vehicles: Maintain a safe distance from large trucks and buses.
* Windshield wipers: If rain severely limits visibility, pull over to a safe location (rest area, etc.). If roadside stopping is necessary, pull far off the road, beyond guardrails if possible, turn on headlights and hazard lights.
Remember, vigilance and preparedness are crucial during severe weather. Follow these guidelines and heed advice from local authorities to stay safe. Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, using machine learning to compile data from the National Weather Service.