Tormentas Severas/Tormentas Eléctricas

¿Sabía que en los Estados Unidos hay 20 millones de tormentas eléctricas por año?

Thunderstorms are a normal precursor to hazards such as lightning, hail, wind, floods and even tornadoes. They are quite prevalent along the Front Range to the eastern plains during the spring and summer. The typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of 30 minutes. Lightning can occur anywhere there is a thunderstorm, and can even strike miles away from the storm. Looking at where lightning occurs helps describe where the most prevalent thunderstorm activity is in Colorado. For instance, the greatest number of lightning flashes is not found across the high mountain elevations, but rather where the mountains and plains intersect. Lightning causes an average of 55-60 fatalities and 400 injuries each year. These incidents are most common during summer afternoons and evenings. In addition, wildfire ignition by lightning is of great concern in Colorado. Every year, lightning causes numerous fires across the U.S. According to the National Fire Protection Association, lightning causes an average of about 24,600 fires each year.

Hail can also accompany thunderstorms. Colorado’s damaging hail season is considered to be from mid-April to mid-August. Colorado’s Front Range is located in the heart of “Hail Alley,” which receives the highest frequency of large hail in North America and most of the world, so residents can count on three to four catastrophic (defined as at least $25 million in insured damage) hailstorms every year. Additionally, familiarizing yourself with the terms below may help with what to expect so you can properly prepare.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch ─ Severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. Stay informed and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning ─ Severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property.
30/30 Lightning Rule ─ You can tell how close you are to a lightning strike by counting the seconds between seeing the flash and hearing the thunder. For every five seconds you count, the lightning is one mile away. If you see a flash and instantly hear the thunder, the lightning strike is very close.

Despite the risk, everyone can take steps in preparing for severe weather. Explore the information below to learn more about severe weather safety precautions.

Antes de un Clima Extremo

Prepare un equipo de emergencia y un plan de comunicación familiar.
Identify a safe shelter location – a basement is best, followed by interior rooms on the lowest level of the building away from windows. Mobile homes are often unsafe in a tornado – identify a neighbor’s house or public shelter where you can go if a tornado warning is issued.
Asegure los objetos exteriores que puedan volar o causar daños durante una tormenta.
Desconecte cualquier dispositivo electrónico antes de que llegue la tormenta.
Obtenga un Radio Meteorológico de la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica (NOAA, por sus siglas en inglés) para recibir alertas sobre clima extremo inminente.
Regístrese en las alertas telefónicas inversas for your county, and don’t forget to include your cell phone.
Make sure you have sufficient insurance coverage – including flood insurance, which is separate from your homeowners or renters policy.
Photograph or take video footage of the contents in your home in case you need to file a claim after a disaster.
Guarde las copias de sus documentos importantes en otro lugar, como una caja de seguridad del banco.

Durante un Clima Extremo:

Avoid contact with corded phones and devices. Cordless and wireless phones not connected to wall outlets are alright to use.
Evite el contacto con equipos o cables eléctricos. Desconecte los aparatos y otros artículos eléctricos como las computadoras, y apague el aire acondicionado. Las subidas de tensión provocadas por los rayos pueden causar daños graves.
Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, take a shower, wash dishes, or do laundry. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity.
Manténgase alejado de las ventanas y puertas, y no entre en los porches.
No se acueste en suelos de hormigón ni se apoye en paredes de hormigón.
Evite estar en las cimas de las colinas, en los campos abiertos, en la playa o en un barco en el agua.
Refúgiese en un edificio robusto. Evite los cobertizos aislados u otras estructuras pequeñas en áreas abiertas.
Si está conduciendo, intente salir de la carretera de forma segura y estacionar el vehículo. Permanezca en el vehículo y encienda las luces intermitentes de emergencia hasta que termine la lluvia fuerte. Evite tocar metal u otras superficies que conduzcan electricidad dentro y fuera del vehículo.

Después de un Clima Extremo

Evite las líneas eléctricas caídas y las fugas en las líneas de gas. Infórmelo a su compañía de servicios.
Tenga cuidado con los peligros en lo alto, como ramas de árboles rotas, cables y otros objetos. Sea cauteloso al caminar.
Notifique a su familia que está a salvo. Las líneas telefónicas pueden estar caídas, así que prepárese para enviar mensajes de texto.
Asegúrese de que las canaletas y drenajes estén despejados para futuros eventos de lluvia e inundación.
Check the property for damage and if there is damage, take photographs/videos of the damage as soon as possible. Contact your insurance company to file a claim.
Vigile cuidadosamente a sus animales.

Más Información sobre Clima Extremo

Referencias, Recursos y Más Información:

Clima Extremo: Aquí Sucedió

On the night of July 20, 2009, a powerful storm hit the northwest suburbs of Denver, dumping an inch of rain in less than an hour and dropping hail one-inch in diameter. Winds of 80 miles per hour uprooted mature trees; the storm damaged numerous cars, windows and roofs. The storm also left 50,000 residents without power. The Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association (RMIIA) lists the July 20th storm as one of the costliest hazard events since 1990 in terms of insured losses in the Rocky Mountain Region. RMIIA has identified $767.6 million in damages from the storm.

Tormentas Severas/Tormentas Eléctricas

Oficina de Gestión de Emergencias del Condado de Yuma