Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Dallas Area - Safety Tips for Lightning and Rain

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an updated severe thunderstorm warning at 12:34 p.m. on Saturday, with the warning in effect until 1 p.m. The affected areas include Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant counties. The storms are expected to bring quarter-sized hail, approximately 1 inch in size. The NWS reports, "At 12:34 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located over Grapevine, moving east at 35 mph. Damage to vehicles is possible."

The warning is expected to impact several locations, including Dallas, Plano, Irving, Carrollton, Lewisville, Flower Mound, Euless, Bedford, Grapevine, Keller, Coppell, Hurst, The Colony, Farmers Branch, Southlake, Colleyville, Highland Village, Addison, Trophy Club, and North Richland Hills.

Safety Precautions

The NWS advises the following safety precautions: "For your protection, stay inside a sturdy structure and keep away from windows." The warning remains in effect until 1 p.m.

Safety Tips for Approaching Thunderstorms

When the threat of lightning approaches, it's essential to be aware of the following safety tips:

• Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year, with most strikes occurring in the summer and resulting in approximately 20 fatalities annually.
• As a thunderstorm approaches, the chance of lightning increases and peaks when the storm is overhead, diminishing as the storm moves away.

Staying Safe During a Thunderstorm

Here are suggestions for staying safe during a thunderstorm:

• To minimize the risk of being struck by lightning, have a plan in place to reach a safer location when going outside.
• If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.
• Once indoors, avoid touching corded phones, electrical equipment, plumbing, and windows and doors.
• Wait for 30 minutes after the final lightning or thunder before heading outside again.

If finding indoor shelter is not an option:

• Avoid open fields, hill peaks, or ridge tops.
• Avoid tall, isolated trees or other elevated objects. If in a forest, stick to areas with shorter tree cover.
• If in a group, disperse to prevent the current from passing between group members.
• If camping in an open area, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low area. Remember, a tent offers no protection from lightning.
• Keep a distance from water, wet articles, and metal objects. While water and metal do not draw lightning, they are proficient conductors of electricity.

Driving Safety During Rainy Weather

Driving during rainy weather requires extra caution and attention to safety. Here are some tips for staying safe on the road in rainy conditions:

• Turn on your headlights to improve visibility and alert other drivers to your presence, even during daylight hours.
• While driving, stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground, as rainwater tends to accumulate at the road edges.
• Avoid driving into puddles or low rainwater areas to prevent hydroplaning or losing control of your vehicle.
• Give ample space to large vehicles, as trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.
• Steer clear of flooded areas; if you encounter a flooded road, turn around and find an alternative route. Flash flooding currents are strong and can sweep drivers off roadways. Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle’s mechanical and electrical systems.

Understanding Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle begins sliding uncontrollably on wet roads. It happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle’s weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, resulting in the driver losing control. The top three contributors to hydroplaning are:

1. Vehicle speed
2. Water depth
3. Tire tread depth

Dealing with Hydroplaning

In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here’s what to know:

• Ease off the accelerator to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.
• Turn into the skid, which can help the vehicle’s tires realign to regain control.
• Wait until the tires reconnect with the road during the skid and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.
• Brake gently as needed, using normal braking for vehicles equipped with anti-lock brakes and gently pumping the brakes for older vehicles.