How to Stay Safe during a Thunderstorm

Natural disasters bring unexpected dangers

You already know the obvious dangers of a natural disaster: collapsing buildings, downed power lines, flying debris…. But in most disasters, more people are injured by things that don’t seem all that dangerous—things most people wouldn’t even think of.

Lightning: Don’t get hit indoors

Your home is probably the safest place to be in an electrical storm. But lightning can still get to you through the conductive paths in your house: your wiring, your plumbing and water. Talking on a corded phone, taking a shower or bath, working on your desktop computer and handling power tools during an electrical storm aren’t much safer than standing outside. Stay away from all water and appliances until the storm passes.

Don’t use candles for emergency lighting

When the power goes out, lots of people light lots of candles. And lots of people burn down their homes. There’s no good reason for this. Today’s LED flashlights and lanterns burn brighter and last longer than candles, without the risk of fire.

Stay out of gushing floodwater

Six inches of floodwater doesn’t look dangerous. But if it’s moving fast enough, it’s enough to sweep you off your feet and carry you into the hereafter. Rushing water also erodes roads and walkways, creating drop-offs that you can’t see under the torrent. The smartest move is to stay out of flowing water.

Don’t get shocked in a flooded basement

The water in a flooded basement probably isn’t electrified by your home’s electrical lines. But it could be. So instead of finding out the hard way, just consider it an energized pool of instant death until you call your utility company to disconnect the power. And after the water is gone, remember that anything electrical in the basement may still be wet, damaged and dangerous. Leave the basement power off until your utility company or an electrician gives you the OK.

Keep your wheels on dry land

Driving through a few inches of water seems safe enough, but more than half of flood-related drownings involve a vehicle. In just 6 in. of water, some cars partially float and become hard to control. Even a monster SUV will become a rudderless barge in 2 ft. of rushing water. When you find a flooded road, better to turn around than risk drowning.

Stay out of toxic waters

Furniture isn’t the only stuff floating in your basement. Chances are, the water contains chemicals stored downstairs and a dose of sewage that backed up through basement drains. That’s not just disgusting, but also a toxic soup that can make you sick. Before you go down there, gear up with rubber boots and gloves to prevent skin contact. Also wear gloves when cleaning up the polluted sludge left by the flood.

Turn off the gas

Floodwater and floating junk can lead to damaged gas lines and malfunctioning gas controls. Leaked gas then bubbles up through the water, giving your basement an explosive atmosphere on top of the flood. And the smell of gas may be masked by other floodwater odors. So call the utility company to shut off your gas even if you don’t smell it. If you do smell gas, get out of the house before you make the call.

Keep your generator away from the house

A generator is the best thing to have in a blackout. But it can make you black out (or die). Hurricane Katrina led to more than 50 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning. A generator engine exhausts carbon monoxide gas, which can give you a headache, knock you out or even kill you. Don’t run a generator in your garage or porch, and keep it at least 10 ft. away from your house.