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NOUS45 KPUB 142032
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PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
230 PM MDT TUE JUL 14 2004

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF SOME THUNDERSTORM SAFETY RULES THAT CAN
BE PASSED ALONG TO RESIDENTS OF AND VISITORS TO SOUTHERN COLORADO.

IF YOU PLAN TO BE OUTDOORS...CHECK THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION
AND KEEP AN EYE TO THE SKY.  DEADLY LIGHTNING CAN OCCUR WITH ALL
THUNDERSTORMS.  IF A THUNDERSTORM APPROACHES...GET INDOORS OR IN A
VEHICLE.  LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE SEVERAL MILES AWAY FROM THE
STORM...WHERE IT IS NOT RAINING AND WHERE YOU MAY BE.

IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE DURING A LIGHTNING STORM...FIND A LOW 
SPOT. IF YOU ARE ABOVE TIMBERLINE...TRY TO FIND A SAFER SPOT AMONG 
LARGE BOULDERS OR UNDER AN OVERHANG.  BELOW TIMBERLINE...SHELTER 
YOURSELF UNDER SHORTER TREES.  AVOID ISOLATED...TALL TREES.  STAY 
AWAY FROM WATER...POWER POLES AND METAL OBJECTS...SUCH AS A FENCE 
ROW OR GOLF CLUBS.  IF IN A GROUP...STAY APART.  IF SOMEONE IS 
STRUCK...OTHERS WILL BE ABLE TO HELP THE VICTIM.

IF YOU FEEL YOUR SKIN TINGLE OR YOUR HAIR STAND ON END...LIGHTNING
MAY BE ABOUT TO STRIKE YOU.  CROUCH LOW TO THE GROUND WITH YOUR
LEGS TOGETHER...MAKING CONTACT ONLY WITH THE BALLS OF YOUR FEET. 
PUT YOUR HANDS OVER YOUR EARS.

IF YOU ARE DRIVING...VISIBILITIES WILL BE GREATLY REDUCED DURING 
HEAVY DOWNPOURS OF RAIN AND SMALL HAIL.  TURN YOUR LIGHTS ON AND SLOW
DOWN TO AVOID HYDROPLANING ON PONDED WATER ON ROADWAYS.  YOU MAY 
ALSO WANT TO WAIT OUT THE STORM BY EXITING OR PULLING ALL THE WAY 
OFF THE ROADWAY.  TURN YOUR FLASHERS ON SO YOU CAN BE EASILY SEEN.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
PUEBLO COLORADO

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