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Severe thunderstorm watch for DeKalb and Jackson: Thursday night update<\/strong><\/p>\n As of Thursday, May 8, at 8:38 p.m.<\/strong>, the National Weather Service<\/strong> has issued an updated severe thunderstorm watch<\/strong> for DeKalb<\/strong> and Jackson Counties<\/strong>, Alabama<\/strong>, valid until 10:00 p.m.<\/strong> Thunderstorms are expected to intensify during the evening hours, bringing frequent lightning<\/strong>, heavy rainfall<\/strong>, and possibly damaging wind gusts<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Each year, lightning strikes<\/strong> hit the United States<\/strong> around 25 million times<\/strong>, with most strikes happening during the summer<\/strong>. Sadly, an average of 20 lives<\/strong> are lost annually due to lightning-related incidents. The danger rises sharply<\/strong> when the storm is directly overhead but remains even after it seems to have passed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n When planning to be outdoors<\/strong>, it\u2019s critical to develop a lightning safety plan<\/strong>. If you see threatening skies<\/strong> or hear thunder<\/strong>, this is a clear signal that lightning is in the area<\/strong>. Head indoors immediately<\/strong>, opting for a solid structure with a roof and four walls.<\/p>\n Once you’re inside, stay away from<\/strong> corded phones, electrical appliances, water pipes, and windows. Lightning can travel<\/strong> through wiring and plumbing<\/strong>, making it dangerous to use anything connected to these systems during a storm.<\/p>\n Remain inside for at least 30 minutes<\/strong> after the last lightning strike or clap of thunder<\/strong> before resuming any outdoor activities.<\/p>\n If you can’t get inside, avoid high ground<\/strong>, open fields<\/strong>, and isolated tall objects<\/strong>, including lone trees<\/strong>. In wooded areas, stay in lower groves<\/strong>, and if you\u2019re with others, spread out<\/strong> to reduce the chance of multiple injuries from a single lightning strike.<\/p>\n If you’re camping<\/strong>, find lower terrain<\/strong> like a valley or ravine<\/strong>. Never rely on a tent for protection. Stay away from water<\/strong>, metal equipment<\/strong>, and anything wet<\/strong>, as they efficiently conduct electricity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Persistent rain<\/strong> could trigger flash flooding<\/strong>, especially in areas where the ground is saturated<\/strong>. If you’re near a culvert<\/strong>, drainage ditch<\/strong>, or any area with rapid runoff<\/strong>, keep your distance\u2014water can rise and move swiftly<\/strong>.<\/p>\n When driving, follow the two-second rule<\/strong>\u2014but double it when it\u2019s raining. Slow down and ease off the gas pedal<\/strong> gradually instead of braking hard. The first 30 minutes of rainfall<\/strong> are especially dangerous because oil and grime<\/strong> make roads slick<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Stick to the middle lanes<\/strong>, where water pools less<\/strong>, and turn on your headlights<\/strong> for better visibility. Keep distance from large trucks or buses<\/strong>\u2014the spray<\/strong> from their wheels can severely limit your vision<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If your windshield wipers<\/strong> struggle to keep up or visibility is poor, pull over<\/strong> to a safe location such as a rest stop<\/strong> or behind a guardrail<\/strong>. Always turn on your hazard lights<\/strong> when stopped on the roadside.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Severe thunderstorm watch for DeKalb and Jackson: Thursday night update As of Thursday, May 8, at 8:38 p.m., the National Weather Service has issued an updated severe thunderstorm watch for DeKalb and Jackson Counties, Alabama, valid until 10:00 p.m. Thunderstorms are expected to intensify during the evening hours, bringing frequent lightning, heavy rainfall, and possibly […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":2530,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2529","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news"},"yoast_head":"\n<\/h3>\n
Lightning on the horizon: Understanding the risks<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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What to do if lightning is nearby<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Caught outside? Maximize your safety<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Heavy rain and flood risk: What drivers need to know<\/strong><\/h3>\n