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Severe thunderstorms<\/strong> struck Central New York<\/strong> early Sunday morning<\/strong>, prompting the National Weather Service<\/strong> to issue an updated warning<\/strong> at 5:40 a.m.<\/strong> that remains in effect until 6:15 a.m.<\/strong> for Chenango<\/strong>, Cortland<\/strong>, Delaware<\/strong>, and Otsego<\/strong> counties.<\/p>\n Residents in affected areas should expect penny-sized hail<\/strong>\u2014measuring 0.75 inches (1.9 cm)<\/strong>\u2014along with damaging wind gusts<\/strong> reaching speeds of up to 60 mph (96 km\/h)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n According to the weather service<\/strong>, as of 5:40 a.m.<\/strong>, severe thunderstorms<\/strong> were observed along a line stretching from East Freetown<\/strong> to near Smithville Flats<\/strong>, then toward Sidney<\/strong> and Bovina Center<\/strong>, moving southeast at 40 mph (64 km\/h)<\/strong>. The storms are capable of causing damage to roofs<\/strong>, siding<\/strong>, and trees<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Communities expected to be impacted include Oneonta<\/strong>, Norwich<\/strong>, Sidney<\/strong>, Walton<\/strong>, Delhi<\/strong>, Guilford<\/strong>, Roxbury<\/strong>, Colchester<\/strong>, Kortright<\/strong>, and Coventry<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Heavy rainfall<\/strong> is also occurring in connection with these storms and may trigger flash flooding<\/strong> in low-lying areas. Motorists are strongly urged to avoid flooded roads, as vehicles can be swept away in as little as a foot of moving water.<\/p>\n Every year, lightning<\/strong> strikes the United States<\/strong> around 25 million times<\/strong>, primarily during the summer months<\/strong>. On average, lightning is responsible for about 20 fatalities annually<\/strong>. The risk intensifies as a thunderstorm approaches<\/strong>, peaking when it’s directly overhead and slowly decreasing as it moves away.<\/p>\n Key lightning precautions<\/strong> involve staying aware and prepared:<\/p>\n When outdoors, always have a lightning safety plan<\/strong>. Watch the skies for threatening weather and listen for thunder\u2014it means lightning is close. Seek shelter indoors immediately<\/strong> if thunder is audible.<\/p>\n Once inside, avoid using corded phones<\/strong>, plumbing<\/strong>, and electrical appliances<\/strong>. Stay away from windows and doors<\/strong>. These steps help reduce the danger from electrical surges conducted through infrastructure.<\/p>\n Wait at least 30 minutes<\/strong> after the last thunder or lightning strike before resuming any outdoor activity. Even after a storm has seemingly passed, lightning can still strike<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If you’re outdoors and shelter is not available, avoid open fields<\/strong>, hilltops<\/strong>, and isolated tall trees<\/strong>. Stay in lower terrain such as valleys or ravines<\/strong>, away from metal<\/strong> and water sources<\/strong>, both of which conduct electricity efficiently and increase risk.<\/p>\n During intense rain<\/strong>, visibility drops and roads become slick, raising the risk of accidents. The weather service<\/strong> advises these strategies for safer driving:<\/p>\n Avoid standing near culverts<\/strong>, drainage ditches<\/strong>, or other areas where swift-moving water<\/strong> could pose a danger.<\/p>\n Maintain safe distances<\/strong> using the two-second rule<\/strong>\u2014double that distance in heavy rain.<\/p>\n Slow down<\/strong> to maintain better control. Don\u2019t slam the brakes; instead, ease off the accelerator and steer gently.<\/p>\n Choose center lanes<\/strong>, where water accumulation is typically less severe. Outer lanes are more prone to puddles and hydroplaning.<\/p>\n Keep headlights on<\/strong> at all times to improve visibility and help others see you. Rain-streaked windows can obscure other vehicles, especially in blind spots.<\/p>\n The first 30 minutes after rainfall begins<\/strong> are especially dangerous. Oil and grime rise to the surface, creating a slick, slippery film on roads.<\/p>\n Stay back from large vehicles<\/strong> like trucks and buses, which kick up water spray that can block your view. If you need to pass, do so cautiously and quickly.<\/p>\n Check your windshield wipers<\/strong>\u2014overworked or ineffective blades can drastically reduce visibility. If conditions get too severe, pull over<\/strong> safely, away from traffic, and wait out the worst.<\/p>\n If you stop by the roadside, move as far off the road as possible, preferably beyond guardrails<\/strong>. Keep your hazard lights<\/strong> on to remain visible to passing traffic.<\/p>\n These precautions are essential as storm systems<\/strong> continue to impact New York State<\/strong>, bringing not only lightning and hail<\/strong>, but also dangerous flooding and road conditions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Severe thunderstorms struck Central New York early Sunday morning, prompting the National Weather Service to issue an updated warning at 5:40 a.m. that remains in effect until 6:15 a.m. for Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, and Otsego counties. Residents in affected areas should expect penny-sized hail\u2014measuring 0.75 inches (1.9 cm)\u2014along with damaging wind gusts reaching speeds of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":4686,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4685","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n<\/h3>\n
Lightning safety: Staying protected as storms intensify<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Driving safety: Managing wet roads during torrential downpours<\/strong><\/h3>\n