Storm Chasing -- The National Weather Service and NewsChannel5 DOES NOT CONDONE OR RECOMMEND storm chasing. It is a VERY DANGEROUS PRACTICE and should only be attempted by trained professionals.

FOLLOW THE RULES:

• If you are a mobile spotter, use have another person with you. They provide an extra pair of eyes to watch the skies and the roads.
• If you are a mobile spotter, do not speed (especially on wet roads).
• Obey all traffic laws!
• If you are a mobile spotter, avoid dirt roads (they get extremely slick when wet).
• If you are a mobile spotter, park well off the road (and not under electrical lines).
• If you are a mobile spotter, never take shelter under a highway overpass. Debris is often funneled into this area by strong winds!
• Keep a one to two mile safety buffer zone between you and the storm. Have an escape route available.
• If a tornado approaches, when possible, move away at a right angle to the tornado- if this is not possible, abandon your vehicle for a sturdy shelter (like a house)- if no shelter is available, lay flat in a dry ravine or ditch away from your vehicle.
• If indoors – the safest place is the basement, if a basement is not available, move to a small interior room away from windows.

Lightning Safety

• The safest place to remain is indoors and away from windows and electrical appliances.
• If mobile spotting, the safest place is to remain inside your vehicle.
• If mobile spotting, do not park along fence lines, or near overhead electric/phone lines.
• Avoid being the tallest object, and stay away from other tall objects such as isolated trees.
• If you are close enough to the storm to hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning! Take shelter.

Flood Safety -- "Turn Around, Don't Drown"

• Never drive or walk through water covering the road unless absolutely sure the water depth is very shallow, the water is not moving, and the roadway is still intact. If the water covering a road is muddy (as it will be in most cases), water depth and road conditions will be hard to determine. In this case, turn around and find an alternate route.
• Water-filled roadway dips are difficult to see at night. Slow down! Hydroplaning is a real threat.
• 12 inches of moving water can sweep a pedestrian off their feet.
• Two feet of running water can pick up and carry away most vehicles (including trucks and SUVs)! Never underestimate the incredible power and force of fast moving water.
• If water levels are up to a bridge, do not cross it as it may be damaged and unable to support the weight of your vehicle.

NIGHTTIME STORM SPOTTING:

• Mobile spotting at night is especially dangerous
• Watch for ground based flashes produced by a tornado breaking power lines
• Note the wind direction and changes in wind direction
• Utilize lightning to note storm structure and possible lower cloud base
• Know your directional relationship to the storm
• Don’t confuse shelf clouds with wall clouds, look for signs of rising or rotating clouds.