National Weather Service Warns of Thunderstorms

Union County's first alert system warned of possible thunderstorms in and around the area.

It noted that doppler radar found thunderstorms hovering in Union County at 7:30 a.m. while today's National Weather Service forecast noted there may be scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. There is a 50 percent chance of rain.

Safety is the primary concern of the National Weather Service, which issues warnings and statements about storms in all areas of the U.S., said public relations officer Susan Buchanan. She added that the safest place to be during a thunderstorm is inside a house or a car.

"At the first sign of thunder go indoors, a sturdy building with  four walls and a roof, wired for plumbing and electricity. Stay there until thirty years until after the last thundercloud. The wiring and plumbing will absorb electricity and you won't get struck," she said.

Alternatively,  Buchanan mentioned that getting into a car also protects against getting struck by lightning. But not for the reason most people think.

"There's a misconception that there's actually rubber on the tires that protects you," she said, adding that it is actually the metal shell which acts as the shield. "The electricity would run around the outside of the car and you would be safe inside the car."