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NOUS44 KAMA 211132
PNSAMA
OKZ001>003-TXZ001>020-220600-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AMARILLO TX
531 AM CST TUE FEB 21 2012

...LIGHTNING AWARENESS DAY...

SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK CONTINUES TODAY WITH A LOOK AT
LIGHTNING SAFETY.

HERE ARE SOME LIGHTNING SAFETY RULES.

ANY LIGHTNING SAFETY PLAN SHOULD INCORPORATE THE RULE...WHEN THUNDER
ROARS GO INDOORS. THIS RULE STATES PEOPLE SHOULD SEEK SHELTER IF
THUNDER IS HEARD OR A FLASH OF LIGHTNING IS OBSERVED. IT IS ADVISED
TO REMAIN INDOORS FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES AFTER THE FINAL CLAP OF
THUNDER OR FLASH OF LIGHTNING.

WHEN SEEKING SHELTER...MOVE INSIDE A WELL CONSTRUCTED HOUSE...A LARGE
BUILDING...OR AN ALL METAL VEHICLE. AVOID USING RADIO OR CELL
PHONE EQUIPMENT THAT MAY BE CHARGING IN YOUR VEHICLE. STAY AWAY FROM
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND DO NOT USE THE TELEPHONE.

IF YOU ARE IN A BOAT...GET OFF THE WATER AND INTO A SUBSTANTIAL
BUILDING...OR AT LEAST INTO AN ENCLOSED AND ALL-METAL VEHICLE WITH
THE WINDOWS UP. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT IN AN OPEN METAL BOAT...LIE DOWN IN
THE BOAT WITH CUSHIONS BETWEEN YOU AND THE METAL SIDES AND BOTTOM.

IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTDOORS...GET DOWN TO AVOID BEING THE HIGHEST
POINT FOR A LIGHTNING DISCHARGE. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT IN A FLAT OPEN
FIELD OR IF YOU FEEL YOUR HAIR STANDING ON END...CROUCH DOWN AND
COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS. THAT WAY...ONLY YOUR FEET WILL TOUCH
THE GROUND.

MOVE AWAY FROM MOTORCYCLES...SCOOTERS...GOLF CARTS...BICYCLES...
TRACTORS...AND OTHER METAL FARM EQUIPMENT. AVOID WIRE FENCES...
CLOTHES LINES...METAL PIPES...DRAINS...RAILROAD TRACKS...AND OTHER
METALLIC OBJECTS.

AVOID LONE TREES AND THE TALLEST TREES. AVOID STANDING IN A SMALL
ISOLATED SHED OR OTHER SMALL UNGROUNDED STRUCTURE IN OTHER AREAS.
IF IN A GROUP OF PEOPLE IN AN OPEN AREA...SPREAD OUT BEFORE YOU KNEEL
DOWN.

$$

KNS/JACKSON