With one of the harshest winters Clinton Countians have endured in several years behind us, it seemed that spring came early, with longer and warmer days and hopefully no more missed school days for the remainder of the year. But, the season that many people look forward to arriving also brings with it its own dangers in the form of increased severe weather.

Severe storm season in much of the U.S., including Kentucky, is now here and as evidenced by heavy storms that caused damage in late February, arrived earlier than usual.

Governor Steve Beshear has declared the month of March as Severe Storms Awareness Month and as part of that, a statewide test of the tornado system was conducted this past Tuesday morning, March 8. In conjunction with that test, local tornado sirens were also tested.

The drill gave businesses, schools, hospitals, individuals and others a chance to test their tornado preparedness drills in the event of an actual storm.

The most severe threat, naturally, is tornadoes, which result in the most deaths, serious injury and property loss. However, severe, strong thunderstorms also causes a high risk of the aforementioned and occur more frequently than actual tornadoes.

Compared with other states, Kentucky ranks number 27 for frequency of tornadoes, 15 for the number of deaths, 13 for injuries and 23 for cost of damages.

Being aware of impending severe weather, staying alert and taking proper precautions is the best way to protect yourself, your family and property.

Since tornadoes spawn during thunderstorm activity, it is important to stay alert when just thunderstorm watches and especially warnings, are issued for your area.

A severe thunderstorm, as classified by the National Weather Service, is a storm with hail or convective wind gusts of 58 or more mph. Even if not severe, they are still dangerous and can produce deadly lightning, flash flooding and high winds. Severe storms have the potential of producing a tornado with little or no advance warning.

* A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for the development of thunderstorms that will contain hail, high winds and that are capable of producing a tornado.

* A Tornado Watch means conditions are right for the development of tornadic storms.

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning means a severe storm has been spotted by a valid storm spotter or detected by radar.

* Tornado Warning means a tornado has been spotted.

* Special Statements–A special statement may be issued if a thunderstorm has characteristics that pose a danger to the public, i.e. lightning, localized flooding.

Severe thunderstorm preparation while at home:

1. Secure any loose, high profile and small objects outside before the storm hits.

2. Stay inside during the storm.

3. Try to protect vehicle from hail damage (such as placing in a garage) before the storm hits.

4. Unplug sensitive equipment such as computers and other electronic equipment.

5. Stay off the telephone and electronic equipment (if needed, use battery operated TV, radio and phone.)

6. Stay out of bath or shower.

7. Keep a distance from windows.

8 Be ready to take shelter in center of building on lowest floor crouched low to the ground.

9. Listen to battery operated NOAA weather radio for updates.

Severe thunderstorm preparation while traveling:

1. Do not drive into a strong thunderstorm.

2. If trapped in a storm, stay in the vehicle if large hail and/or vivid cloud-to-ground lightning is occurring.

3. If trapped on the highway, try to safely park the vehicle under an overpass.

4. Reduce speed significantly if driving through a thunderstorm.

5. Do not drive through flooded streets with unknown depth of water. Most flooding deaths occur in cars at night. Moving water is much more dangerous to drive through than stationary water.

** Note: If a tornado is imminent, it will then be best to abandon the vehicle.

Thunderstorm Safety Tips:

When a severe thunderstorm warning is issued, be prepared and know the county in which you live and the names of nearby cities. Severe weather warnings are issued on a county basis.

Have disaster supplies on hand, including: flashlight with extra batteries; battery-operated radio and extra batteries; first aid kit and manual; emergency food and water; non-electric can opener; essential medications; checkbook, cash, credit cards, ATM cards.

Before the storm:

1. Check the weather forecast before leaving for extended periods outdoors.

2. If a storm is approaching, keep a NOAA weather radio or AM/FM radio with you.

3. Watch for signs of approaching storms.

4. Postpone outdoor activities if storms are imminent.

5. Check on neighbors who require special assistance: infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

During the storm: Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately.

1. Move to a sturdy building or car. Do not take shelter in small sheds, under isolated trees, or in convertible automobiles.

2. If lightning occurs and sturdy shelter is not available, get inside a hard top automobile and keep the windows up.

3. Get out of boats and away from water.

4. Telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity. Unplug appliances not necessary for obtaining weather information. Avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances. Use phones only in an emergency.

5. Do not take a bath or shower.

6. Turn off air conditioners. Power surges from lightning can overload the compressors.

7. Get to higher ground if flash flooding or flooding is possible. Do not attempt to drive to safety. Most flash flooding deaths occur in automobiles.

If you are caught outdoors and no shelter is nearby:

1. Find a low spot away from trees, fences, and poles.

2. If you are in the woods, take shelter under the shorter trees.

3. If you feel your skin tingle or your hair stand on end, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them. Make yourself the smallest target possible; minimize your contact with the ground.

After the storm:

1. Check on neighbors who may require special assistance–infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

2. Avoid all downed power lines. Assume they are live electricity.

The following are some measures that should be followed during a tornado watch and/or warning.

If a warning is issued, it means one has been detected, may be on the ground and moving and expected to move through the warned area soon. You should take shelter immediately.

If you’re on vacation or driving through an unfamiliar area, remember the county you are in and where you are in relation to other towns and cities. Know how to get to a safe place quickly if a warning is issued by developing a plan for you and your family at home, work, school, and when outdoors. And, have disaster supplies on hand.

Remain calm but take immediate action. If you are outdoors:

* Seek shelter in a substantial building immediately.

* If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in a ditch or low spot with your hands shielding your head.

* Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; instead, leave it immediately.

If you are at home or in a small building:

* Go to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor. Stay away from windows.

* Closets, bathrooms, and other interior rooms offer the best protection.

* Get under something sturdy or cover yourself with a mattress.

If you are in a school, hospital or shopping center:

* Go to a pre-designated shelter area.

* Stay away from large open areas and windows.

* Do not go outside to your car.

If you are in a high-rise building:

* Go to an interior small room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.

* Do not use the elevators. Use the stairs.

If you are in a mobile home or vehicle:

* Get out of mobile homes or vehicles, they are easily tossed about by strong winds in the tornado.

* Take shelter in a substantial structure.

* If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in a ditch or low spot with your hands shielding your head.

After the storm:

1. Help injured or trapped persons. Do not try to move the seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.

2. Turn on radio or television to get the latest emergency information. Obey all curfews and emergency orders.

3. Avoid all downed power lines. Assume they have electricity.

4. Stay out of damaged buildings. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.

5. Use the telephone only for emergency calls.

6. Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, or gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave buildings immediately if you smell gas or chemical fumes.

7. Take pictures of the damage–both the house and its contents–for insurance purposes.

8. Check on neighbors who require special assistance–infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

9. If you must drive, use caution. Stay away from disaster areas. Do not sight see!