4 safety tips for summer weather hazards

Closed umbrellas on a beach with a storm approaching

An empty beach with storm clouds approaching. (Image credit: iStock)

Download Image

It’s what we’ve waited for: Summer! Though the season brings longer, sunnier days, it also comes with life-threatening weather hazards such as extreme heat, rip currents, and thunderstorms and lightning.

1. Excessive heat. It's a killer. 

A heat wave and smog on the shoreline of Chicago Illinois.
A heat wave and smog on the shoreline of Chicago, Illinois. (iStock)
Download Image

Heat is one of the most deadly weather hazards, so don’t underestimate it. Warm temperatures can quickly rise to dangerous levels — especially in parked cars. Get the latest forecast on weather.gov and make sure you know what to do if there’s a heat alert product issued for your area: 

  • An Excessive Heat Warning means take action!
  • An Excessive Heat Watch means be prepared.

Do you know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke? See our graphic and spread the word.

2. Rip currents. Here's what one looks like:

It's important to know about the dangers of rip currents before you enter the water. Do you know what one looks like and how to get out of it, should you become trapped in its grip? This photo shows a rip current, between the red arrows, in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina in 2015.
It's important to know about the dangers of rip currents before you enter the water. Do you know what one looks like and how to get out of it, should you become trapped in its grip? This photo shows a rip current, between the red arrows, in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina in 2015. (NOAA)
Download Image

Rip currents are so powerful that they can sweep even the strongest swimmer away from shore. If you are caught in a rip current, relax and try not to panic. Follow these tips to make it back to safety:

  • Don’t swim against the current.
  • If you are able, swim parallel to the current (following the shore) until you are out of the rip current, and then you can swim to shore/beach.
  • If you can’t escape, float or tread water and yell or wave for assistance. Always swim at beaches where there are lifeguards.

3. Hurricanes and tropical storms. Have a plan before one hits home.

Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida on October 10, 2018. With winds as high as 160 mph, the Category 5 storm slammed coastal towns in the area, leveling buildings and structures, flooding streets and leaving a trail of destruction.
Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida on October 10, 2018. With winds as high as 160 mph, the Category 5 storm slammed coastal towns in the area, leveling buildings and structures, flooding streets and leaving a trail of destruction. (FEMA/K.C. Wilsey)
Download Image

Many powerful hurricanes, such as Michael, Katrina, Andrew and Camille, were tropical storms just days before making landfall. Don’t wait until it’s too late — know your potential evacuation routes and have an emergency supply kit ready to go now. Also, have a family communication plan in place in the event of an evacuation.

4. Thunderstorms. Go indoors at the first sign.

Lightning strikes in the night near family houses stock photo
Lightning strikes the U.S. 25 million times a year, which sometimes results in death or permanent injury. You are safest indoors, or inside a hard-topped enclosed vehicle. (iStock)
Download Image

Severe thunderstorms can produce dangerous lightning, hail and wind gusts that damage property and threaten lives. If you “See a flash, dash inside” and “When thunder roars, go indoors”: Always head indoors at the first sign of a thunderstorm, and stay away from windows. If there are no buildings nearby, get inside a vehicle to ride out the storm.

Head over to our Summer Safety page if you want to know more.

NOAA’s National Weather Service weather safety website has you covered with important information about extreme weather hazards to help you stay Weather-Ready at the beach, by the pool, while picnicking or on the golf course.

Be sure to share our tweetable Summer Safety tips with your social network.

 

Related Features //