Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Jackson, KY

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NOUS43 KJKL 221839
PNSJKL

HERE ARE SOME SEVERE THUNDERSTORM SAFETY RULES FROM THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE:

* STRAIGHT LINE WINDS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MOST THUNDERSTORM WIND
DAMAGE. WINDS CAN EXCEED 100 MPH OVER A SMALL AREA OF RAPIDLY
DESCENDING AIR BENEATH A THUNDERSTORM. THIS PHENOMENA IS CALLED A
DOWNBURST AND CAN CREATE TORNADO LIKE DAMAGE.

* LARGE HAIL CAUSES MORE THAN 1 BILLION DOLLARS IN DAMAGE TO
PROPERTY AND CROPS EACH YEAR.

* A LARGE HAILSTONE CAN FALL AT SPEEDS THAT EXCEED 100 MPH AND CAN
BREAK WINDOWS...DENT AUTOMOBILES...AND DESTROY AGRICULTURE CROPS.
HAIL PRODUCING STORMS OFTEN HAVE A BLUISH GREEN TINT. IF YOU WITNESS
THIS...TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.

AS A REMINDER:

* A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE
FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TO DEVELOP NEAR OR CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA.
REMAIN ALERT FOR APPROACHING STORMS. LISTEN TO NOAA ALL HAZARDS
WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL MEDIA FOR UPDATES.

* A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING MEANS THAT ONE INCH DIAMETER
HAIL...OR LARGER...AND OR 58 MILE PER HOUR WINDS ARE IMMINENT. TAKE
IMMEDIATE ACTION IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THE STORM.

* WHILE THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOES NOT ISSUE SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS FOR LIGHTNING...REMEMBER THAT EVERY
THUNDERSTORM PRODUCES LIGHTNING. LIGHTNING CAUSES AN AVERAGE OF 80
FATALITIES AND 300 INJURIES EACH YEAR ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. YOU
SHOULD SEEK SHELTER IF YOU HEAR THUNDER.

* KEEP IN MIND IF YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE
CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE STORM TO BE STRUCK. STAY INDOORS FOR 30 MINUTES
AFTER HEARING THE LAST CLAP OF THUNDER.

* IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE RAINING FOR YOU TO BE THREATENED BY
LIGHTNING. LIGHTNING OFTEN STRIKES OUTSIDE OF HEAVY RAIN...AND MAY
OCCUR AS FAR AS 10 MILES AWAY FROM ANY RAINFALL.

* RUBBER SOLED SHOES AND RUBBER TIRES PROVIDE NO PROTECTION FROM
LIGHTNING. THE STEEL FRAME OF A HARD TOPPED VEHICLE PROVIDES
INCREASED PROTECTION IF YOU ARE NOT TOUCHING THE METAL. YOUR ARE
MUCH SAFER INSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT OUTSIDE.

* POSTPONE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IF THUNDERSTORMS ARE IMMINENT. THIS IS
YOUR BEST WAY TO AVOID BEING CAUGHT IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION.

* MOVE TO A STURDY BUILDING OR CAR. DO NOT TAKE SHELTER IN SMALL
SHEDS...UNDER ISOLATED TREES...OR IN CONVERTIBLE AUTOMOBILES. STAY
AWAY FROM TALL OBJECTS SUCH AS TOWERS...FENCES...TELEPHONE
POLES...AND POWER LINES.

* UTILITY LINES AND METAL PIPES CAN CONDUCT ELECTRICITY. UNPLUG
APPLIANCES NOT NECESSARY FOR OBTAINING WEATHER INFORMATION. AVOID
USING THE TELEPHONE OR ANY ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES UNTIL THE STORM HAS
PASSED. USE PHONES ONLY IN AN EMERGENCY.

* DO NOT TAKE A BATH OR SHOWER DURING A THUNDERSTORM.

* IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTDOORS...NEVER STAND UNDER A LONE TREE IN A
FIELD. IF YOU FEEL YOUR SKIN TINGLE OR YOUR HAIR STAND ON
END...QUICKLY SQUAT LOW TO THE GROUND ON THE BALLS OF YOUR FEET.
PLACE YOUR HANDS OVER YOUR EARS AND YOUR HEAD BETWEEN YOUR KNEES.
MAKE YOURSELF THE SMALLEST TARGET POSSIBLE AND MINIMIZE YOUR CONTACT
WITH THE GROUND. DO NOT LAY FLAT ON THE GROUND.