Lightning Safety Tips: How to Avoid Strikes During Severe Weather

Understanding Lightning Risks

• ⚡ Lightning can be impactful even if a storm isn't classified as severe.
• ⚠️ Avoid being the tallest object in an open field and refrain from holding metal or conductive materials.
• 📌 Texas ranks second in the nation for lightning deaths, with 73% occurring in June, July, and August.
• ⛈️ Lightning can strike up to 50 miles away from a parent storm, meaning you're not safe just because it's not raining directly overhead.
• 👂 If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

Severe Weather Forecast and Travel Advisory

• 🗓️ Severe weather, including strong to severe thunderstorms, is expected across North Texas, the Texas Hill Country, Big Country, Oklahoma, and parts of the Midwest.
• 📍 Storms are currently moving from Wichita Falls to Abilene and south of Abilene towards San Angelo, impacting the I-35 corridor.
• 🚗 Travel along I-35 may be affected, particularly tonight into tomorrow morning, with storms expected to push along I-35 between Waco and Austin by mid-morning Wednesday.
• ⚠️ Travelers, especially those heading south on I-35 during summer vacation, should be prepared for storms and have a way to receive weather warnings.