RELATED (AND SOMETIMES DEADLIER) SEVERE WEATHER RISKS
A tornado in the vicinity is probably the foremost concern to most people when the weather sirens go off. In fact, the thunderstorms that produce tornadoes often produce a variety of collateral threats that you should also remember. These other threats often exist well after a tornado occurs, or even if one never materializes at all.
LIGHTNING: Severe thunderstorms produce vigorous, sometimes virtually continuous, lightning. Lightning kills an average of 400 people each year in the United States, many times the number of fatalities caused by tornado winds. When a severe thunderstorm approaches, get out of open areas and stay away from the tallest objects nearby (including trees). STAY AWAY FROM GROUNDED METAL OBJECTS such as chain link fences. If no indoor shelter exists nearby, sitting inside a vehicle is good temporary shelter from lightning (but be prepared to abandon the car if high winds, flash floods, landslides, or large hail develop). If you are outside and suddenly feel the hair on your arms begin to stand on end, immediately dive for the ground--a lightning bolt may pass right over your head!
HAIL: After flooding, hail typically is the second largest cause of weather-related insurance claims in the United States, most of which is either crop loss or automobile damage. Large hail propelled from thousands of feet above the ground, however, poses a significant risk of injury to humans. When hail starts, seek shelter indoors away from windows; avoid seeking shelter in vehicles.
FLASH FLOODS: The torrential rain of thunderstorms often results a little while later in sudden flooding, especially if the soil is already saturated from previous storms. If you must occupy a ditch, ravine, or culvert during a tornado, leave for higher ground just as soon as the windstorm passes. Do not try to drive or walk across flooded areas. One foot of water depth has about 1500 pounds of lifting power, and the seemingly smoother water of a flooded depression actually moves at higher velocity and can sweep you readily away. Climb valley sides to higher ground if you are at the bottom of a ravine; DO NOT RUN DOWN-VALLEY!
LANDSLIDES: Even in relatively flat terrain, saturated soil and lubricated rock on local slopes or construction excavations can collapse with little warning. A landslide may move faster than you can run or drive, and will have the texture and battering force of wet cement. In hilly areas landslides that start out of sight, far up-valley may catch you very suddenly; sometimes you may experience a strong gust of compressed air coming down the valley up to half a minute before the slide reaches you. Immediately climb valley sides to higher ground if you are at the bottom of a ravine; DO NOT RUN DOWN-VALLEY!
DOWNED ELECTRICAL WIRES: Many times people survive a storm only to suffer electrocution afterwards by stepping on downed electrical wires. Always assume that any downed wire is live, even if no sparking is apparent. If you find downed wires, remain where you are (if no other threats exist) to warn others and direct emergency power crews. If you begin to feel the hair on your arms tingle or stand on end, move farther away from the downed wires.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPILLS: Many times a severe storm causes damage to the containers of hazardous materials, such as ruptured gasoline tanks in vehicles, broken cartons of stored toxins (e.g., pesticides or caustics), or pipe leaks of toxic fumes. Flammable materials pose an especially grave threat. Move yourself and others away from such spills immediately, and report them to emergency crews and officials as quickly as possible.
WATER CONTAMINATION: A severe storm potentially can cause water supplies to become contaminated through damaged treatment plants, breached water mains, or stormwater backups. Some potential threats include sewage/disease contamination, spilled toxins, and leaking flammable liquids. If you are unsure of tapwater quality following a storm, avoid bathing and drink only packaged beverages until authorities declare the water supply safe. If you smell gasoline you should immediately turn off all water taps, leave the area, and report what you observed to emergency crews and officials as quickly as possible.
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Please call the UWSP Environmental Health and Safety Office at x2320 or Campus Security at x3456 for further information.
The UWSP Environmental Health and Safety Committee maintains this page, last updated 24AUG98 (e-mail to Education & Training Chair).
Yours is visit # to this Web page since 31MAR97.