Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Madison County
Madison County is under a severe thunderstorm warning issued by the National Weather Service on Sunday at 4:37 p.m., effective until 5:15 p.m. The storm is currently over northeastern Huntsville and has the potential to produce penny-sized hail (0.75 inches) and wind gusts reaching 60 mph.
The warning affects several locations including Huntsville, Madison, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama A&M University, and Huntsville International Airport. Residents are advised to seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor due to continuous cloud-to-ground lightning and the risk of flash flooding. The weather service emphasizes the dangers of lightning, which claims about 20 lives annually in the U.S.
To stay safe during this severe weather, officials recommend having a lightning safety plan ready. People should seek indoor shelter at the sound of thunder and avoid using corded phones and electrical devices. It’s essential to wait at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before going outdoors.
Those unable to reach indoor shelter should avoid open fields and tall, isolated trees, and should stay low in valleys if camping in the open. Water bodies and metal objects should also be avoided due to their ability to conduct electricity.
In addition to lightning, heavy rainfall threatens to cause flooding. Drivers are encouraged to maintain safe distances, slow down, and enhance visibility by using headlights. Exercise caution, especially in the initial moments of rain, when roads can be particularly slippery.
Residents are urged to stay informed about ongoing weather conditions and to heed advice from local authorities to ensure safety during storms.
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