An updated severe thunderstorm watch was issued by the NWS Fort Worth TX on Tuesday at 11:27 p.m. in effect until Wednesday at 2 a.m. The watch is for Collin, Dallas, Johnson, Tarrant, Bosque, Coryell, Delta, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Hamilton, Henderson, Hill, Hopkins, Hunt, Kaufman, Lamar, Lampasas, McLennan, Mills, Navarro, Rains, Rockwall, Somervell and Van Zandt counties.
This watch is in effect until Wednesday at 2 a.m.
How to react when facing a lightning hazard?
Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year. Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS. Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead. It diminishes as the storm moves away.
Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm:
• To lower the risk of lightning strikes, when going outdoors, develop a plan to reach a safer spot.
• If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.
• Once inside, avoid contact with corded phones, electrical equipment, plumbing, and windows and doors.
• Wait 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder before going back outside.
If finding indoor shelter is not an option:
• Avoid open fields, hill peaks, or ridge tops.
• Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures. When in a forest, stay in proximity to shorter tree groupings.
• If you are in a group, spread out to avoid the current traveling between group members.
• If you are camping in an open area, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low area. Remember, a tent offers no protection from lighting.
• Keep a distance from water, wet articles, and metal objects. While water and metal do not draw lightning, they are proficient conductors of electricity.
Rainy weather driving tips
• Switch on headlights — Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.
• While driving — Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground. Rainwater tends to accumulate at the road edges.
• Keep clear of puddles — Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control
• Do not follow large vehicles closely — Large vehicles like trucks or buses can create a spray of water that can reduce your visibility.
• Avoid flooded zones — If you encounter a flooded road, make a U-turn and go back. The powerful currents of flash floods can carry drivers off the road. Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle’s mechanical and electrical systems.
What is hydroplaning?
Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle starts sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.
This 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, making the driver lose control. The three main causes of hydroplaning are:
1. Vehicle speed — When a vehicle’s speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases. Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.
2. Water depth — The deeper the water, the sooner a vehicle loses traction on the road. It doesn’t matter how deep the water is, even a thin layer can lead to hydroplaning.
3. Tire tread depth — Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here’s what to know:
• Ease off the accelerator — Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.
• Turn into the skid — Turning into the skid can help the vehicle’s tires realign to regain control.
• Make sure the tires reconnect with the road — During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.
• Brake gently as needed — Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
Source: The National Weather Service