Thunder, Lightning, Hail, oh my! Here are some safety tips to stay safe!

According to the U.S. National Weather Service, severe thunderstorms are officially defined as storms that are capable of producing hail that is an inch or larger or wind gusts over 58 mph. Hail this size can damage property such as plants, roofs and vehicles. Wind this strong is able to break off large branches, knock over trees or cause structural damage to trees. Some severe thunderstorms can produce hail larger than softballs or winds over 100 mph, so please pay attention to the weather so you know when severe storms are possible. Thunderstorms can also produce tornadoes and dangerous lightning; heavy rain can cause flash flooding. (U.S. National Weather Service, 2023).

This website is intended to help you understand how to stay safe BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER thunderstorms, during lightning events, and when there is hail. We have included information from various reputable sources to provide information for many different scenarios and community members  (outdoor recreation, occupational safety, pets/animals, etc.).  Please feel free to copy and share the information you find to help others stay safer during extreme weather!

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FEMA would like you to be prepared for a thunderstorm, lightning or hail!
FEMA would like you to know how to shelter in place for a thunderstorm!

The National Weather Service offers a weather brochure about Lightning Safety read all about it here.

The National Fire Protection Association has a printable flyer about indoor and outdoor safety during lightning.

The American Red Cross has a website about Thunderstorm Saf
ety.

When thunder roars, go indoors!
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Do you know the categories of severe thunderstorm risks?

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Never cross flooded roadways!
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service has a preparedness for thunderstorms, tornadoes and lightning. Click here to read about it!

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) offers the National Severe Thunderstorm Weather - 101 Basics, click here and they also offer 
Severe Weather 101 - Lightning which can be read about here. The NOOA National Severe Lightning Safety Tips can be found here as well as information on where to go and what to do during a thunderstorm, which can be found here

Staying safe during a lightning storm is important!
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Learn about lightning myths from the National Weather Service!
NOAA SciJinks offers A Brief History of Lightning Detection! Check it out by clicking here.

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Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) would like you to know the difference between Watch, Warning, Advisory Criteria for Summer Storms. Click here to learn! MEMA also has a terrific webpage about Lightning Safety.

The National Weather Service has safety tips for when you are indoors during a lightning storm here!
The American Academy of Pediatrics provides tips that may help to keep your children safe during a lightning storm!

The CDC has many different resources to read about thunder and lightning. Click on the descriptions below to learn more!
When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors
Lightning tips, FAQs and Data
Lightning Information for Outdoor Information
Lightning Information for Outdoor Sporting Events
Lightning Strike Data
Lightning Information for Workers

Lightning Information for Beach and Water Activities
Lightning Information for Pet Owners
 

Let's learn about Hail!
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Watch the National Weather Service Outdoor Lightning Safety Video!


The National Weather Services also created a video about the Science Behind Lightning!

Learning Junction, What Causes Thunder!


Disclaimer: Neither Sagadahoc County, nor any agency, officer, or employee of the County warrants the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information published on the County website, nor endorses any products or services linked from this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of such information. Portions of the information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk. Various websites may be linked through the Sagadahoc County website. Visitors to those sites are advised to check the privacy statements of those sites and be cautious about providing personally identifiable information without a clear understanding of how the information will be used. 

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