The National Weather Service issued an updated weather advisory at 12:59 a.m. Sunday for severe thunderstorms until 1:45 a.m. for Jackson and DeKalb counties.

Residents can expect wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour.

“At 12:59 a.m., Doppler radar tracked strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 7 miles north of Stevenson to near Crossville. The movement was eastward at a speed of 35 miles per hour,” the weather service states. “Gusty winds could knock down branches and blow over unsecured objects.”

Locations affected by the warning include Fort Payne, Rainsville, Bridgeport, Henagar, Stevenson, Crossville, Sylvania, Fyffe, Powell and Ider.

The weather service states: “If you are outdoors, you should consider seeking shelter indoors.” These storms also produce torrential rain, which can lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded streets. A tornado warning is in effect until 4 a.m. for northeast Alabama and middle Tennessee.

Protect Yourself from Approaching Lightning: Expert Safety Guidelines

Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with most of these electrifying events occurring in the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning strikes claim about 20 lives each year, according to the weather service. The closer a thunderstorm comes, the greater the risk of thunderstorms. It peaks when the storm is directly overhead and gradually fades as it moves away.

To ensure your safety in the midst of a thunderstorm, consider the following recommendations:

Lightning protection plan:

• When heading outdoors, it’s important to have a lightning protection plan.
• Watch the sky for threatening signs and listen for the sounds of thunder. If thunder is heard, it is an indication that lightning is nearby.
• Immediately seek shelter in a safe place, preferably indoors.

Indoor safety measures:

• Once indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical appliances, and plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
• These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges because lightning can follow conductive paths.

Wait for the all-clear:

• Wait at least 30 minutes after the last strike of lightning or thunder before resuming outdoor activities.
• Lightning can strike even when a storm appears to have passed. So be careful.

If covered accommodation is not available:

If you are outdoors during a thunderstorm and do not have access to covered shelter, follow these steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge tops as these places you at a higher risk of lightning.
• Stay away from tall, isolated trees and other conspicuous objects. In wooded areas, stay near lower stands of trees.
• If you are traveling with a group, make sure that individuals are spread out to prevent lightning currents from being transmitted between people.
• Camping outdoors during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying area. It is important to note that a tent does not provide protection from lightning.
• Do not approach water, wet objects or metal objects. While water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, preparation and vigilance are your best allies when faced with the threat of lightning. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety.

Roads likely to be rainy: Important safety tips in heavy rain

Heavy rains, if prolonged or excessive runoff, can cause flooding. Excessive runoff may be due to saturated soil and/or rainfall intensity. Follow these weather service recommendations to stay safe during heavy rain:

Beware of rapid water flow:

Avoid parking or walking close to culverts or drainage ditches as the fast-flowing water during heavy rain may potentially sweep you away.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you, and allow two seconds longer in heavy rain.

Reduce speed and drive carefully:

On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. To prevent skidding, gradually ease off the accelerator pedal and avoid sudden braking.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stay in the middle lanes to minimize the risk of aquaplaning. The outer lanes are more prone to water accumulation.

Prioritize visibility

Improve your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant of vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Be careful of slippery roads:

During the first half hour of rain, the roads are most slippery due to a mix of rain, dirt and oil. Be particularly careful during this time.

Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles:

Large trucks and buses can obscure your visibility from tire spray. Avoid traffic jams and pass through them quickly and safely.

Pay attention to your windshield wipers:

Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. If visibility is so limited that the sides of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen from a safe distance, it’s time to stop and wait for the rain to let up. It’s best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas.

If you can only stop on the side of the road, position your vehicle as far away from the road as possible, ideally outside the guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate your hazard lights to alert other drivers to your position.

During heavy rain, these precautions can go a long way toward ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to keep up to date with weather conditions and follow advice from local authorities to ensure a safe journey.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service from United Robots that uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.