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The NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC issued an updated weather alert at 1:32 p.m. on Sunday for strong thunderstorms until 2:15 p.m. The alert is for Pickens Mountains and Greater Pickens as well as Greenville and Spartanburg counties.
Residents may experience wind gusts of up to 50 mph.
“At 1:32 p.m., Doppler radar tracked strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 3 miles west of Columbus to 12 miles southwest of Brevard. Movement was southeast at 40 mph,” describes the NWS. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”
Locations impacted by the alert include Pickens, Easley, Travelers Rest, Landrum, Slater-Marietta, Inman, Campobello, Six Mile, Saluda and Paris Mountain State Park.
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The NWS states, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.”
This alert is in effect until 2:15 p.m.
What to do as threat of lightning approaches?
Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year. Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS. Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead. It diminishes as the storm moves away.
Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm:
- To decrease the risk of getting struck by lightning, when you go outside, establish a plan to reach a safer place.
- If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.
- Once inside, abstain from touching corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing, and windows and doors.
- Wait for 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder before going back out.
If finding indoor shelter is not an option:
- Avoid open fields, hill peaks, or ridge tops.
- Keep a distance from tall, isolated trees or other elevated objects. If in a forest, stay close to lower trees.
- If you are with a group, fan out to stop the current from transmitting between members.
- If you are camping in an open area, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low area. Remember, a tent offers no protection from lighting.
- Stay away from water, wet items, and metal objects. Water and metal do not attract lightning but they are excellent conductors of electricity.
Rainy weather driving tips
- Switch on headlights – Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.
- While driving – Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground. Rainwater tends to accumulate at the road edges.
- Avoid puddles – Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.
- Don’t tail large vehicles closely – Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.
- Avoid flooded areas – When encountering a flooded road, do a U-turn and head back. The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways. Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle’s mechanical and electrical systems.
What is hydroplaning?
Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle begins to slide uncontrollably on wet roads.
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle’s weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. The top three contributors to hydroplaning are:
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- Vehicle speed – When a vehicle’s speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases. Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.
- Water depth – The deeper the water, the sooner a vehicle loses traction on the road. It doesn’t matter how deep the water is, even a thin layer can lead to hydroplaning.
- Tire tread depth – Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here’s what to know:
- Ease off the accelerator – Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.
- Turn into the skid – Turning into the skid can help the vehicle’s tires realign to regain control.
- Make sure the tires reconnect with the road – During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.
- Brake gently as needed – Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
Source: The National Weather Service
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