Spotlight on Safety
The Amarillo and Texas Panhandle could see severe weather since spring has arrived. There is no official start of severe weather in the Texas Panhandle. Severe weather can occur at any time during the year, so it is a good idea to be prepared. The Amarillo College Police Department and Emergency Management want to remind you of a few things you can do when severe weather presents itself.
Tornado Safety:
- In Homes or Small Buildings
- Go to the basement or a small interior room
- Cover your head
- Stay away from windows
- In Mobile Homes or Vehicles
- Do not try to outrun the tornado in your car
- Get to the nearest shelter.
- If a shelter is not available, as a last resort either stay in the vehicle with your seat belt on (put your head down below the windows and cover it with your hands), or lie flat in a ditch and cover your head with your hands.
Lightning Safety:
- Indoors
- Stay away from windows and doors
- Turn off the TV and computer
- Stay away from sinks and tubs
- Use phones or cell phones for emergencies ONLY
- Do not lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls
- Outdoors
- If you can hear thunder, lightning can strike
- Stay away from anything metal
- Stay away from pools and lakes
- Avoid open spaces, but never stand under a tree
- Get to a home or large building
- When Thunder Roars, GO INDOORS!
Flash Flood Safety:
- Move to higher ground and stay away from storm drains, ditches, and streams
- Stay away from flooded areas
- Never walk or swim in flood waters
- Driving into water of unknown depths or around barricades is dangerous, especially at night
- Turn Around...Don’t Drown!
Blog Written by Scott Acker, Chief of Police - ACPD
