Indiana frequently experiences severe weather, which is defined as a storm having wind gusts of at least 58 m.p.h. or producing hail at least 1 inch in diameter. Any storm that produces lightning can be deadly, and flooding can occur from rain or a broken pipe nearly anywhere.

Things you should do

• If you can count 30 seconds or less between lightning and thunder, seek safe shelter inside a building or hard-topped vehicle.
• Have a NOAA weather radio at home with fully charged batteries.
• Check your local weather forecast before spending extended time outdoors.
• If a storm produces large hail, seek sturdy shelter and stay away from windows.
• Know that a weather Watch means be alert and a weather Warning means you need to take action to be safe.
• Have an emergency kit.

Don’t do these

• Don’t drive over flooded roadways or through water.
• Don’t walk through rushing water; as little as 6 inches of floodwater can knock you over.
• Don’t rely solely on weather radar to determine dangers; dangerous winds can precede a storm by miles.
• Don’t shelter near trees or other tall objects in storm; shelter underneath a roof.
• Don’t shelter under a bridge; winds can be funneled and made even stronger underneath.
• Don’t stay on or in the water while there is any lightning.
• Don’t use a landline telephone during a storm; lightning can travel through the wires.