People that live in regions that attract serious storms know the struggles of trying to prepare for extreme weather all too well. But when you don’t have a storm shelter to hide in or a garage to protect your car, you might have to get creative when it comes to preparing for nature to strike. Bored Panda has scoured the internet for the most amusing photos of people getting ready for extreme weather, so you’ll find some hilarious and brilliant tactics below. And keep reading to find conversations with Jacquelyn Fitzpatrick, Senior Brand Manager at Nielsen-Kellerman, and Jonathan Erdman, senior meteorologist for The Weather Company’s Weather.com! According to CISA, there have been 186 severe storms in the United States since 1980 that have each caused over $1 billion in damage. Over 100,000 thunderstorms hit the U.S. every year, and about one in ten reaches a severe level. This means that the storm includes winds of 58 miles per hour or more, pieces of hail one inch in diameter or larger and/or tornadic activity. The Office for Coastal Management notes on their site that 2022 was a particularly devastating year, as the United States was hit with 18 climate disasters that each cost the country over a billion dollars. 2023 also managed to set multiple weather and climate records as well, with the sea surface temperature reaching +1.78°F or +0.99°C for the first time in the 174 years that NOAA has been recording its temperature. “Using an Ambient Weather® station is one of the most effective ways to prepare for severe weather because it provides real-time data right from your own backyard,” Jacquelyn shared. “Unlike generalized weather reports, your Ambient Weather station monitors the exact conditions at your home, allowing you to detect critical changes in temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed, and more as storms approach.” “These reports may not accurately reflect the conditions in your immediate area, leading to underestimating the severity of an approaching storm,” she explained. “Using an Ambient Weather® station with the AWN app can help you monitor hyper-localized conditions in your exact location. This ensures you have the most accurate and relevant data, allowing you to make better-informed decisions for storm preparation.” “AWN is an open-source website and app that allows you to access hundreds of thousands of public PWS weather stations, including government stations. When you open the app, you will encounter an interactive map of weather stations, weather cameras, and map layers that provide an incredibly detailed and hyper-local view of current conditions,” she told Bored Panda. “With this data, you can easily find information about localized temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed, and precipitation levels at critical points like your home, neighborhood, or evacuation route, allowing you to better prepare for the storm’s impact. Download the app on iOS and Android or visit www.ambientweather.net.” “Being prepared isn’t just about having the right tools; it’s about ensuring those tools are in top working order,” the expert says. “Stay safe, stay informed, and trust in your Ambient Weather station to help you navigate through any storm.” When prepping for severe weather, Jonathan says to first figure out where you’re going to take shelter if necessary. “If you live in a mobile home, figure out where either a designated storm shelter or the nearest sturdy building is that you can get to quickly,” he shared. “Then, be aware of the threat of severe weather. Check your forecast every day. If it mentions severe thunderstorms possible, know that you may have to take shelter later in the day if severe weather moves into your area.” “When I receive a severe thunderstorm warning on my smartphone that mentions strong wind gusts, I head to my basement for that very reason. It almost goes without saying, but try not to drive in severe thunderstorms,” the expert added. “Falling trees or large limbs can crush some vehicles.” Fun fact: “Hail” can also mean to flag down a car, like a taxi. Follow Bored Panda on Google News! Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda! Please use high-res photos without watermarks Ooops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.
