Mount Vernon, Illinois

... Safety rules for severe thunderstorms...

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued by the National
Weather Service until 8 PM CDT for all of southeast Missouri... The
Purchase area of western Kentucky... west of the Land Between The
Lakes... and part of southern Illinois. The following safety tips
are being provided in hope that the broadcast media will
frequently broadcast these messages while the watch affects their
area.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for the
development of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
area. If you are in the watch area... keep up to date of the latest
weather information. These storms can develop rapidly so there may
be occasions when advance warning is not possible.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning means a severe thunderstorm has been
observed or indicated by radar. If you are in the path or near the
storm... take immediate actions to protect life and property.
Follow these safety rules:

In open country... you should seek shelter and avoid trees which
can be targets for lightning. If there is no shelter... go to a
ditch or culvert but beware of rising water which can cause
flooding.

When indoors... stay away from outside walls and windows and go to
an interior room on the lowest level. Avoid using electrical
appliances while the storm is nearby.

In Mobile homes... you should leave and seek nearby safe shelter.

If swimming or on a boat... you should get to shore as quickly as
possible and find shelter.

A thunderstorm is considered severe when it contains three quarter
inch or larger diameter size hail and... or wind gusts of 58 miles
an hour or greater. A severe thunderstorm also produces deadly
lightning and very heavy rain which can lead to flash flooding.

Remember... with any severe thunderstorm there is always the
possibility of tornadoes.