Severe Weather Tips  

The following collection of severe weather tips will also help you protect your home and those you love.

• Drought:  Fifty-five north Georgia counties (including Fulton County and the City of Johns Creek) are experiencing a historic Level Four Drought. The response to this drought prohibits or limits most types of outdoor water use.

• Flooding:  Flooding causes more damage in the United States than any other severe weather related event, an average of $5 billion a year. Flooding can occur in any of the 50 states at anytime of the year.

• Heat:  A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessive heat and humidity, which can lead to heat strokes and deaths in the elderly.

• Hurricanes:  In an average 3-year period, roughly five hurricanes strike the US coastline, killing approximately 50 to 100 people anywhere from Texas to Maine.

• Lightning:  If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance of lightning. Seek shelter immediately inside a house, large building, or a hard-topped vehicle. Avoid shelter under tall trees.

• Thunderstorms:  The typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of 30 minutes. Despite their small size, ALL thunderstorms are dangerous.

• Tornados:  In an average year, 1,200 tornadoes cause 70 fatalities and 1,500 injuries in the US.

• Winter storms:  Sometimes winter storms are accompanied by strong winds creating blizzard conditions with blinding wind-driven snow, severe drifting, severe cold and dangerous wind chill.