Spring ushers in on March 20, but we are already seeing severe weather threats this week across South Carolina. This upcoming season can also produce severe weather in the form of thunderstorms, tornadoes and flooding. With severe weather expected today across South Carolina, the American Red Cross urges people to take steps to be prepared for the unexpected.

Thunderstorms produce lightning, which unfortunately kills more people each year than tornadoes or hurricanes. Their heavy rains can cause flash flooding and their strong winds can damage homes and cause power outages. Tornadoes can occur anywhere. They are violent and capable of destroying homes and businesses and leaving people with nothing. Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters. Flash floods occur suddenly, due to rapidly rising water along a stream or low-lying area.

This week’s storms are a important reminder that families must prepare.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO There are steps people should take now to be ready if a weather emergency threatens their community. Planning is the key. Being prepared is just a few short steps away:

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM SAFETY TIPS

1. Know the difference
   o  Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. Stay informed and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued.
   o  Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. Take shelter in a substantial building. Leave manufactured homes which can blow over in high winds.
2. Listen to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.
3. Listen for the sound of thunder. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately.
4. Check emergency kit and replenish any items missing or in short supply. Keep it nearby.

If You’re Caught Outdoors

• If planning a trip or extended period of time outdoors, be aware of the weather forecast.
• Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent.
• Keep an eye on the sky. Look for darkening skies, flashes of lightning, or increasing wind, which may be signs of an approaching thunderstorm.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Look for places you could go if severe weather threatens such as local shelters, churches, local Red Cross locations. If possible, stay in warm/dry areas if possible.
• Even if there is no official thunderstorm warning, if you see signs of a thunderstorm, take precautions.

Staying Safe During a Severe Thunderstorm

1. Use a NOAA Weather Radio or listen to a local station on a battery-powered radio or television for updated emergency information. If the power goes out, you still have access to important information.
2. Draw the blinds and shades over the windows. If windows break because objects are blown by wind or large hail, the shades will help prevent glass from shattering into your home.
3. Unplug and avoid any electrical appliances and/or the telephone or any electrical appliances. If lightning strikes, telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity. Leaving electric lights on, however, does not increase the chances of your home being struck by lightning.

If Caught Outside

1. Find shelter immediately. If you are boating or swimming get out of the water and get to land and get off the beach. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity.
2. Take shelter in a substantial, permanent, enclosed structure, such as a reinforced building. A sturdy building is the safest place to be. Avoid gazebos, rain or picnic shelters, golf carts, baseball dugouts, bleachers, and other isolated structures in otherwise open areas, because such places are often struck by lightning.
3. If there is no reinforced building in sight, take shelter in a vehicle. Keep the windows closed and avoid convertibles. Rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide no protection from lightning, but the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal.
4. If you are in the woods, find an area protected by a low clump of trees. Never stand beneath a single large tree in the open.
5. As a last resort and if no suitable structure or vehicle is available, go to a low-lying open place away from trees, poles, or metal objects. Crouch low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands on your knees and your head between your knees. Minimize your contact with the ground as lightning current often enters a victim through the ground rather than by a direct overhead strike.
6. Avoid the following: Tall structures, such as towers, tall trees, fences, telephone lines, and power lines.  Natural lightning rods, such as golf clubs, tractors, fishing rods, bicycles, and camping equipment.
7. If you are isolated in a level field and you feel your hair stand on end (indicating that lightning is about to strike), crouch low to the ground on the balls of your feet.

If Driving

• Pull safely onto the shoulder of the road and stop, making sure you are away from any trees or other tall objects that could fall on the vehicle.
• Stay in the vehicle and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rain subsides. Avoid contact with metal or other conducting surfaces outside or inside the vehicle as described previously.
• Avoid flooded roads. The depth of the water is not always obvious. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle and two feet of flowing water will carry away most automobiles, including SUVs and pickup trucks.

TORNADO SAFETY TIPS

1. Know the difference
   o  Tornado Watch: Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans and check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives!
   o  Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
2. Be aware of tornado danger signs:
   o  Dark, often greenish clouds – a phenomenon caused by hail
   o  Wall cloud – a lowering of the base of a storm’s base
   o  Cloud of debris
   o  Large hail
   o  Funnel cloud
   o  Roaring noise
3. Listen to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.
4. Move to an underground shelter, basement or safe room.  If none is available, a small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the safest alternative.
5. Be aware that no area of a mobile home is safe during tornadoes or other severe winds. If you have access to a sturdy shelter or a vehicle, abandon your manufactured home immediately and go to either, using your seat belt if driving.

Then, If You Can, Do This

• Prepare for high winds by removing diseased and damaged limbs from trees.
• Move or secure any of the items on your list of items to bring inside or anything else that can be picked up by the wind.
• Bring your companion animals indoors and maintain direct control of them.

If You’re Caught Outdoors

• Seek shelter in a basement, shelter, or sturdy building.
• If you cannot quickly walk to a shelter:
  • Immediately get into a vehicle and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. Remember to buckle your seat belt and drive at right angles to the storm movement to get out of its path.
  • Stay away from bridge/highway overpasses.
  • If strong winds and flying debris occurs while driving, pull over and park, keeping your seat belt on and engine running. Put your head down below the windows, covering your head with your hands and a blanket (if available).

FLOOD SAFETY TIPS

1. Know the difference
   o  Flood / Flash Flood Watch A watch means a flood/flash flood is possible in your area.
   o  Flood / Flash Flood Warning: A warning means flooding/flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area. Move immediately to higher ground or stay on high ground. Evacuate if directed. Avoid walking or driving through flood waters.
2. Listen to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.
3. Be prepared to evacuate quickly and know your routes and destinations.
4. Check emergency kit and replenish any items missing or in short supply. Keep it nearby.

During a Flood

Move immediately to higher ground or stay on high ground.  Evacuate if directed. Avoid walking or driving through flood waters.

Indoors

1. Turn off the power and water mains if instructed to do so by local authorities.
2. Boil tap water until supplies have been declared safe.
3. Avoid contact with floodwater.  It may be contaminated with sewage.
4. Continue listening to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.
5. Don’t use gas or electrical appliances that have been flooded until after they have been checked for safety.
6. Dispose of any food that has come into contact with flood water. 

Outdoors

1. Stay out of areas subject to flooding.  Dips, low spots, canyons, washes, etc. can become filled with water.
2. Try to get to higher ground and stay there.  Move away from dangerous flood water.  Just six inches of fast-flowing water can knock you over and two feet will float a car. 
3. Don’t walk on beaches or riverbanks.
4. Don’t allow children to play in or near flood water. It may be contaminated with sewage. 

Then, If You Can, Do This

• Avoid already flooded areas and areas subject to sudden flooding.  The National Weather Service reports that nearly half of all flood fatalities are vehicle related.  Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains.
• If caught on a flooded road with rapidly rising waters, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground.
• Do not attempt to cross flowing streams or water covered roads. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle. The depth of the water is not always obvious. The roadbed may be washed out under the water, and you could be stranded or trapped. Also, standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines. 
• Rapidly rising water may stall the engine, engulf the vehicle and its occupants, and sweep them away.  Look out for flooding at highway dips, bridges, and low areas. Two feet of water will carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickup trucks.
• Stay away from underpasses. Underpasses can fill rapidly with water, while the adjacent roadway remains clear. Driving into an underpass can quickly put you in five to six feet of water.
• Turn around and find another route if you come upon floodwater, rapidly rising water or barricades.  Barricades are put up by local officials to protect people from unsafe roads. Driving around them can be a serious risk.

DOWNLOAD OUR APPS. The Red Cross app “Emergency” can help keep you and your loved ones safe with real-time alerts, shelter locations and safety advice. The Red Cross First Aid and Pet First Aid apps provide instant access to information on handling the most common emergencies. Download these apps for free by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps. Parents can also download the Red Cross Monster Guard App for a fun way to teach children what to do in case of a flood, hurricane and other emergencies.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossSC.