Safety Tips for Thunderstorms and Flash Flooding: Red Cross

From the Red Cross: With heavy rain and the possibility for flash flooding in our region, the Red Cross is issuing critical safety tips to keep families and loved ones safe.

“The Red Cross is a terrific resource and has easy steps to stay safe. We encourage everyone to stay informed and be prepared, " said Mary Young, CEO, and American Red Cross Metro New York North.

Thunderstorm Safety

▪ Listen to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for emergency updates. Watch for signs of a storm, like darkening skies, lightning flashes or increasing wind.
▪ Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are likely to occur. Many people struck by lightning are not in the area where rain is occurring.
▪ If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued, take shelter in a substantial building or in a vehicle with the windows closed. Get out of mobile homes that can blow over in high winds.
▪ If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be in danger from lightning. If thunder roars, go indoors! The National Weather Service recommends staying inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap.
▪ Avoid electrical equipment and telephones. Use battery-powered TVs and radios instead.
▪ Shutter windows and close outside doors securely. Keep away from windows.
▪ Do not take a bath or shower or use plumbing.
▪ If you are driving, try to safely exit the roadway and park. Stay in the vehicle and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rain ends. Avoid touching metal or other surfaces that conduct electricity in and outside the vehicle.
▪ If you are outside and cannot reach a safe building, avoid high ground, water, tall, isolated trees, and metal objects, such as fences or bleachers. Picnic shelters, dugouts, and sheds are NOT safe.

Flood Safety

Flash floods occur suddenly due to rapidly rising water along a stream or low-lying area. People should be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice and head for higher ground when a flood or flash flood warning is issued. Other safety steps include:
▪ Listen to area radio and television stations and a NOAA Weather Radio for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress or other critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS).
▪ Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
▪ When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
▪ Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Stay away from floodwaters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and less than 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away.
• If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.
• If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
▪ Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.
▪ Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.


Red Cross also encourages people to download the free Bilingual Red Cross Emergency App that features weather alerts as well as expert advice on how to prepare and respond to tornadoes, floods and other disasters. The app is available in Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.