TWU Emergency Management

301 Administration Drive

Denton, TX, 76204

Phone: 940-898-4021

Email: gabbe@twu.edu

Twitter: @TWUReady

LIGHTNING SAFETY

Myth: Lakes, rivers, and mountains protect

areas from tornados.

Myth: Open windows before a tornado

occurs will equalize pressure and limit

damage.

Fact: This action does not protect the

building and limit damage. Time is at a

premium during a tornado; therefore, seek

shelter on the lowest floor in an interior room

away from windows.

Myth: Highway overpasses provide safe

shelter from tornados.

Fact: Highway overpasses act as wind tunnels

and are extremely dangerous during a

tornado. Instead, seek

shelter in a sturdy

building or find a low-

lying area and lie flat on

your belly with your

hands covering the back

of your head.

BEHIND THE

LIGHTNING: THE

STORY BEHIND

THUNDERSTORMS

MYTHBUSTERS

Did You Know... Lightning

can strike up

to 10 miles

away from a

storm. There is no

safe place

outdoors

from

lightning.

Lightning strike victims carry no electric

charge and should be helped

immediately. Rubber-soled shoes do not provide

protection from lightning.

Fact: Tornados can cross rivers and other

geographic features.

Image By: NOAA

(http://1.usa.gov/1W3efiR)

Image By: AICR: (http://bit.ly/1U7nf7v) Image By: Hunter College at CUNY (http://bit.ly/1W3iefq)

Caption describing picture or graphic

THE LIFE AND TIMES

OF A THUNDERSTORM

Developing Stage: Towering cumulus

cloud which indicates rising warm air. Little to

no rain during this stage with occasional light-

ning. This stage can last about 10 minutes.

Mature Stage: The most likely stage where

hail, damaging winds, lightning, and tornados

could occur. Storm has a black or dark green

color and on average this stage lasts about 10-

20 minutes; however, supercell thunderstorms

could be in this stage for up to an hour.

Dissipating Stage: The stage where

downdrafts dominate the storm and the rain-

fall decreases. However, strong winds from

the downdraft and lightning are still possible.

AN

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NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

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Image By: NWS: (http://bit.ly/1R04HRp)

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