At 2:28 a.m. Sunday, the National Weather Service issued an updated severe thunderstorm warning that was in effect until 3:15 a.m. for Barbour and Russell counties.

Residents should prepare for wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour.

“At 2:27 a.m., severe thunderstorms were observed along a line extending from near Seale to near Blue Springs State Park, moving eastward at a speed of 40 miles per hour,” it said Weather Service. “Expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.”

Locations affected by the warning include Eufaula, Clio, Clayton, Louisville, Blue Springs, Tyler Crossroads, Hawkinsville, Spring Hill, Blue Springs State Park, Osco, Richards Crossroads, White Oak, Gaino, Seale, Comer, Barbour County Public Lake Dam, Texasville, Lakepoint Resort State Park, Miller’s Ford and Twin Springs.

According to the weather service, “a tornado warning is in effect for southeast Alabama until 4 a.m. For your protection, go to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.”

When lightning threatens: expert safety tips for thunderstorms

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 is important to have a clear plan in place for seeking shelter in the event of lightning.
• 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 sheltered indoors, avoid using corded telephones, electrical appliances or plumbing fixtures, and avoid being near 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 outside 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 conclusion, alertness and preparedness are your best allies when faced with the threat of lightning. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning accidents and make your safety a priority.

Coping with Heavy Rain: Important Safety Measures for Wet Roads

When it rains heavily, safety comes first. Equip yourself with these guidelines from the Weather Service to navigate wet roads and avoid hazards:

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:

The two-second rule of maintaining distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend the time to four seconds to ensure a safe distance in adverse conditions.

Reduce speed and drive carefully:

If it is raining and the roads are wet, drive slower. Take your foot off the accelerator and let the speed gradually decrease. Never apply the brakes suddenly as this may cause the vehicle to skid.

Choose your lane wisely:

On multi-lane roads, stay in the middle lanes to minimize the risk of aquaplaning, as water often accumulates in the outer lanes.

Prioritize visibility

Turn on your headlights and pay attention to other vehicles in the background and in your blind spots, as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.

Be careful of slippery roads:

Be particularly careful in the first half hour after the rain begins. Dirt and oil on the road surface mix with water and make the road slippery.

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:

Overloaded wiper blades can impair visibility. If rain severely limits your visibility, stop and wait for conditions to improve. Seek shelter in rest areas or sheltered areas.

If the side of the road is your only option, drive off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guardrail, and wait for the storm to pass. Keep your headlights on and turn on 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.