Emergency Preparedness Severe Storms Awareness Week: Damaging Winds

Wind can be an overlooked element of severe storms, but don’t underestimate it!

Quick Facts:

The Damage Champion
The majority of tree and structure damage (and power outages) that happen during thunderstorms are actually caused by the storm’s damaging winds, not the rain, thunder, or lightning.
Watch Out for Warnings
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning means that damaging winds will occur somewhere within the warning area (or even the whole area) within the next 60 minutes. These microbursts are like “punches” of wind. Coming from the most intense part of the storm, they can reach speeds up to 120 mph!
Safety First
If you’re in an area where a Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issues, get to a sturdy shelter as soon as possible, and stay away from windows. When wind fights glass, it’s safest not to be around to see which one wins.

Learn more about damaging winds and how to stay safe in this helpful guide from our friends at the National Weather Service.

Shared by Lori Peck, BS, MT, Garrett County Health Department’s Public Health Emergency Planner