Public Safety Intranet
The weather conditions in South Florida can change quickly with little or no notice. Severe thunderstorms have the potential to produce a number of hazards that can pose a threat to life and property. Be prepared for flooding, lightning, and/or tornadoes which may occur during any severe weather event.
Action Guidelines
- Go to or stay inside a solid structure.
- Be alert to flying or falling objects.
- Stay away from windows, mirrors, glass, and unsecured objects.
- Proceed to a fully enclosed central hallway of the building, or a closed room with no windows, if possible.
- Do not use elevators.
- If requested, assist persons with disabilities to the safest area on the same floor.
- Refer to the sections below for incident specific information.
Flooding
- Protect your area with sand bags, barriers, or other absorbent materials.
- Move to a higher floor in your building or evacuate to higher ground.
- Avoid driving or walking through standing or fast moving water.
Lightning
- If stuck outside, avoid pools or standing under tall objects, as these put you at greater risk of being affected by lightning.
Tornadoes
- Go into an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor, if possible.
- Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls.
- A vehicle or modular building does not provide good protection. Plan to go quickly to a building with a strong foundation, if possible.
- If shelter is not available, lie flat in a ditch or other low-lying area. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
- Stay in the shelter location until the danger has passed.