Alabama News

The shortest offseason in sports belongs to the NBA, as things move very quickly following the end of the season. The Oklahoma City Thunder won the NBA Finals last weekend, with the draft taking place just three days later.

Another major milestone of the NBA offseason will be this weekend, as the Summer League will take place. A showcase for younger players to earn a place on the regular season roster, the Summer League is essential for any major NBA fan.

The San Antonio Spurs will take on the Miami Heat in the first game of the California Classic on Saturday. No.2 overall pick Dylan Harper will get his first opportunity to show off his skills against other NBA talent.

For the Heat, No.20 overall pick Kasparas Jakucionis will make his highly anticipated debut as well.

Fans looking to watch the Spurs vs Heat game can do so on Fubo, who’s offering a free trial to new subscribers.

Here’s everything you need to know before the Spurs and Heat tipoff this weekend:

When: Saturday, July 5, 2025

Where: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA

Time: 4:30 p.m. ET

Fans looking to watch the Spurs vs Heat game can do so on Fubo, who’s offering a free trial to new subscribers.

A report from the National Weather Service was issued on Friday at 5:12 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 5:45 p.m. for Madison County.

Look for pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) and wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

“At 5:12 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Huntland, moving west at 15 mph,” according to the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.”

Locations impacted by the alert include Moores Mill, Meridianville, Hazel Green, Huntland, New Market, Lincoln, Plevna, Elora, Belleview and Skinem.

The weather service states, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.”

Staying safe as lightning approaches: Expert advice

Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for claiming the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.

To guarantee your safety in the midst of a thunderstorm, take into account the following recommendations:

Lightning safety plan:

• When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
• Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
• Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.

Indoors safety measures:

• Once you’ve found shelter indoors, abstain from using corded phones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures, and refrain from approaching windows and doors.
• These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways.

Wait for the all-clear:

• After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
• It’s important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn’t available:

If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk.
• Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
• If you’re in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
• Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
• Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, preparedness and vigilance are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety.

Rainy roadways ahead: Essential safety tips for heavy rain

When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises. Whether it’s prolonged rainfall or rapid runoff, being prepared is essential. Here are some valuable safety tips from the weather service to ensure you stay safe in heavy rain:

Beware of rapid water flow:

During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.

Maintain safe driving distances:

The two-second rule for following distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend it to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.

Slow down and drive with care:

If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.

Prioritize visibility

Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Watch out for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Watch out for slippery roads:

The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas.

If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

Alabama football pulled one of the top recruits in Mississippi for its 2026 recruiting class. Nolan Wilson, a defensive lineman from Picayune Memorial committed to the Crimson Tide on Friday, he told Rivals.

Wilson is listed as a four-star recruit by 247Sports’ composite rankings. The service rates him as the No. 6 defensive lineman in the country, and the No. 58 overall player in the 2026 class.

“Long and nimble defensive end that flashes a high level of untapped athleticism off the edge as a pass rusher,” 247Sports national recruiting analyst Cooper Petagna wrote in his scouting report of Wilson. “Primarily positioned in an odd front as a five technique, Wilson possesses the ability to bump inside situationally while showing the ability to utilize his first step quickness and athleticism to his advantage off the line of scrimmage.

“Hovering around 240-pounds currently, the Magnolia State product will need to add a significant amount of weight to his frame at the next level as he continues to develop from a play strength standpoint at the point of attack.”

The 6-foot-4 Wilson chose Alabama over a list of offers that included Auburn, Florida, Ole Miss and Miami. He became the 18th player to join the Tide’s 2026 recruiting class.

UA lagged behind its normal place in recruiting rankings for part of the offseason, but picked up major steam mid-June. The Tide has pulled in one of the nation’s top 10 classes so far.

As 4th of July celebrations commence, Birmingham residents should remember that fireworks and celebratory gunfire are not only illegal, but can be fatal.

During the holidays, police tend to set up patrols to ensure that residents are celebrating safely, but will that fix this persistent problem? While Independence Day is normally marked with both the sounds of fireworks and gunfire, some residents say they are fed up.

“The fireworks don’t bother me in the least. That out on the East side that there are so many idiots out with firearms putting thousands of rounds up with no regard for the results, however, does! Just stop it! It’s nuts,” Richard Rutledge commented on a Nextdoor post urging residents not to shoot off fireworks for the holiday.

“What goes up WILL come down, folks, stop this insanity!”

In 2024 police reportedly had to shelter from falling bullets on New Year’s. And two people in Birmingham and one in Tuscaloosa were injured by celebratory gunfire.

City councilor Valerie Abbott described her trek home on New Years as a war zone as the sounds of gunfire surrounded her.

“It occurred to me I could die on my way home from a bullet from one of those idiots who are shooting their gun in the air,” Abbott said during the Jan. 2, Birmingham City Council meeting.

That same year, Truman Fitzgerald, a spokesperson for the Birmingham Police Department, said officers were out in numbers on 4th of July night to catch those who broke the law, according to reports.

“We can’t catch everyone, but we can catch a lot more than we used to in the past,” Fitzgerald told WBRC at the time.

Earlier this year, celebratory gunfire led to an Alabama man being shot in his bed.

Police say that the gunfire will result in going to jail or paying a fine, yet it continues. Policing it remains difficult even with improvements in shot detector technology.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department recently reminded residents of the dangers of celebratory gunfire.

“Celebratory gunfire is dangerous in more ways than one,” Henry Irby a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office told CBS 42.

“People tend to think that just because the bullet didn’t come directly out of a gun that it’s not dangerous, but it is very dangerous and in some cases can be deadly.”

AL.com reached out to the Birmingham Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, but did not receive a response prior to publishing.

The National Weather Service issued a weather alert at 4:40 p.m. on Friday for strong thunderstorms until 5:30 p.m. for DeKalb County.

Wind gusts of up to 40 mph and pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) are likely.

“At 4:40 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Summerville, moving southwest at 15 mph,” says the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.”

Locations impacted by the alert include Fort Payne, Henagar, Ider, Valley Head, Hammondville, Mentone, Sulpher Springs, Desoto State Park and Little River Canyon NP.

According to the weather service, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.”

When lightning looms: Expert safety tips for thunderstorms

Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the bulk of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months. Tragically, lightning claims the lives of about 20 individuals annually, as reported by the weather service. The risk of lightning-related incidents escalates as thunderstorms draw near, reaching its peak when the storm directly looms overhead. However, it gradually recedes as the tempest moves away.

To guarantee your safety in the midst of a thunderstorm, take into account the following recommendations:

Lightning safety plan:

• When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
• Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
• Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.

Indoors safety measures:

• Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
• Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.

Wait for the all-clear:

• After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
• It’s important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn’t available:

If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.
• Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
• If you’re in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
• Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
• Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.

Navigating rainy roads: Safety tips for wet weather

Heavy rainfall may lead to flooding if prolonged or if there is excessive runoff. Excessive runoff can be a result of saturated ground and/or rainfall intensity. Follow these recommendations from the weather service to stay safe in heavy rain:

Beware of rapid water flow:

During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.

Maintain safe driving distances:

The two-second rule for following distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend it to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.

Slow down and drive with care:

On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stay toward the middle lanes – water tends to pool in the outside lanes.

Prioritize visibility

Turn on your headlights and be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.

Watch out for slippery roads:

The first half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mix of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas.

When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

Months worth of heavy rain fell in a matter of hours on Texas Hill Country, killing at least 13 people and leaving more than 20 girls attending a summer camp unaccounted for Friday as search teams conducted boat and helicopter rescues in the fast-moving flood water.

Desperate pleas peppered social media as loved ones sought any information available about people caught in the flood zone.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said somewhere between 6 and 10 bodies had been found so far in the frantic search for victims. Meanwhile, during a news conference conducted at the same time as Patrick’s update, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha reported that there were 13 deaths from the flooding.

At least 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain poured down overnight in central Kerr County, causing flash flooding of the Guadalupe River and leading to desperate pleas for information about the missing.

“Some are adults, some are children,” Patrick said during a news conference. “Again, we don’t know where those bodies came from.”

Teams conducted dozens of rescues, and emergency responders continued to search for those who were unaccounted for. That includes more than 20 girls missing from summer camps.

“I’m asking the people of Texas, do some serious praying this afternoon. On-your-knees kind of praying, that we find these young girls,” Patrick said.

Comments on a Facebook post from the Kerr County sheriff’s office were riddled with photos of people in the flood zone. Loved ones posted there, hoping someone could offer an update on the whereabouts of those they hadn’t heard from. One woman said she couldn’t reach her daughter, who had rented a cabin in Hunt for her husband and two children, and pleaded for someone to post the names of those already evacuated.

Judge Rob Kelly, the chief elected official in the county, confirmed fatalities from the flooding and dozens of water rescues so far. He said he was advised not to cite specific numbers and said authorities are still working to identify those whose lives were lost.

“Most of them, we don’t know who they are,” Kelly said during a news conference. “One of them was completely naked, he didn’t have any ID on him at all. We’re trying to get the identity of these folks, but we don’t have it yet.”

One family survives a terrifying ordeal

Erin Burgess’ home sits directly across from the river in the Bumble Bee Hills neighborhood, west of Ingram. When she woke up to thunder at 3:30 a.m. Friday morning, “it was raining pretty heavy, but no big deal,” she said.

Just 20 minutes later, Burgess said water was coming in through the walls and rushing through the front and back doors. She described an agonizing hour clinging to a tree and waiting for the water to recede enough that they were able to walk up the hill to a neighbor’s.

“My son and I floated to a tree where we hung onto it, and my boyfriend and my dog floated away. He was lost for a while, but we found them,” she said, becoming emotional.

Of her 19-year-old son, Burgess said: “Thankfully he’s over 6 feet tall. That’s the only thing that saved me, was hanging on to him.”

A flood watch issued Thursday afternoon estimated isolated amounts up to 7 inches (17 centimeters) of rising water. That shifted to a flood warning for at least 30,000 people overnight.

When asked about the suddenness of the flash flooding, Kelly said “we do not have a warning system” and that “we didn’t know this flood was coming,” even as local reporters pointed to the warnings and pushed him for answers about why more precautions weren’t taken.

“Rest assured, no one knew this kind of flood was coming,” he said. “We have floods all the time. This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the state was providing resources to Hill Country communities dealing with the flooding, including in Kerrville, Ingram and Hunt.

The Texas Hill Country, a scenic and rocky gateway to booming vineyards and vacation rentals, begins west of the state capital and is a popular outdoor summer getaway. Parts of the region are prone to flash flooding.

Dozens of people posted on Facebook asking for any information on their children, nieces and nephews attending one of the many camps in the area, or family members that went camping during the holiday weekend.

Ingram Fire Department posted a photo of a statement from Camp Mystic, saying the private Christian summer camp for girls experienced “catastrophic level floods.” Parents with a daughter not accounted for were directly contacted, the camp said.

Another camp on the river located east of Hunt, Camp Waldemar, said in an Instagram post that “we are all safe and sound.”

The Guadalupe’s river gauge at the unincorporated community of Hunt, where the river forks, recorded a 22 foot rise (6.7 meters) in just about two hours, according to Bob Fogarty, meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Austin/San Antonio office. Fogarty said the gauge failed after recording a level of 29 and a half feet (9 meters).

“This is the kind of thing that will catch you unaware,” Fogarty said. “The water’s moving so fast, you’re not going to recognize how bad it is until it’s on top of you.”

Areas east along the Guadalupe River were preparing for their own flooding as the rapid waters rushed downstream from Hunt and Kerrville. In Kendall County, home to the unincorporated community of Comfort, the sheriff’s office sounded the alarm.

“We regret to inform everyone that the flood situation in Comfort is not improving,” the post read. “We have sounded the flood sirens and urge all residents in low-lying areas of town to evacuate immediately.”

New Jersey also sees deaths due to severe weather

Meanwhile, strong thunderstorms were being blamed for at least three deaths in central New Jersey, including two men in Plainfield who died after a tree fell onto a vehicle they were traveling in during the height of a storm there, according to a city Facebook post.

The men were ages 79 and 25, officials said. They were not immediately publicly identified.

“Our hearts are heavy today,” Mayor Adrian O. Mapp said in a statement. “This tragedy is a sobering reminder of the power of nature and the fragility of life.”

The city canceled its planned July Fourth parade, concert and fireworks show. Mapp said the “devastating” storms had left “deep scars and widespread damage” in the community of more than 54,000 people and it was a time to “regroup and focus all of our energy on recovery.”

Continuing power outages and downed trees were reported Friday throughout southern New England, where some communities received large amounts of hail. There were reports of cars skidding off the road in northeastern Connecticut.

Saraland 3-star wide receiver DeShawn Spencer committed to Duke on Friday afternoon, choosing the Blue Devils over Maryland.

Spencer, a converted running back, helped the Spartans to the Class 6A title game last fall. He also caught a pair of touchdown passes in a loss to Parker in the championship.

“Deshawn has worked himself into being a dynamic, explosive receiver,” Saraland coach Jeff Kelly said earlier this summer. “We have some other guys too that not a lot of guys know about that really get me excited about that receiving corps. I know defenses will try to do things to take DeShawn out of games. It’s our job as coaches to put him in situations and defenses in situations where they can’t do that.”

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Spencer caught 54 passes as a junior for 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also rushed for 193 yards and a pair of scores.

“A lot of people see him as a slot receiver, but I think he is as effective or more effective as an outside guy,” Kelly said. “A lot of people see the way he runs with the football after he catches it. After he catches it, he kind of runs like a running back. He has a lot of versatility. He will grow and develop and put on size. I think he will be one of those guys who can do both.”

The 247Sports composite rankings currently have Spencer as the No. 19 senior recruit in the state. Interestingly, Christian Clemente of 247Sports suggested this week that Spencer could be a “sleeper target” for Auburn.

“Assuming he sticks with his plan to commit on the 4th and ends up elsewhere, don’t be shocked if he pops up in Auburn for a visit or two this fall,” Clemente wrote.

More recruiting news …

In baseball, Deshler’s Garrett Reid committed to Samford. The right-handed pitcher was named Class 4A Player of the Year and helped lead Deshler to a Class 4A championship.

Despite missing six games because of injuries during the 2024 season, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa stayed in the “NFL Top 100.”

In its 15th year, “NFL Top 100” features a ranking for the league’s best 100 players as selected by the players for NFL Films.

On the 2025 list, Tagovailoa placed 91st in the voting, the NFL revealed on Friday.

The former Alabama All-American made his first appearance in the “Top 100” at No. 82 in 2023, and Tagovailoa came in No. 36 in 2024 after he led the NFL in passing yards in 2023.

In 2024, Tagovailoa missed four games while on injured reserve because of a concussion and sat out the final two weeks of the regular season with a hip ailment. While on the field, Tagovailoa completed 291-of-399 passes for a league-leading 72.9 percent rate. He had 2,867 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions for a passing-efficiency rating of 101.4, his third consecutive season topping 100.

RELATED: DOLPHINS GETTING NEW TIGHT END TARGET FOR TUA TAGOVAILOA

Following a new digital-first format this year, “NFL Top 100” is being revealed two players at a time every weekday on the social-media platform X until Sept. 1, when the top 10 players for 2025, as selected by their peers, will be announced on NFL Network at 7 p.m. CDT.

Tagovailoa’s announcement completed the first week and the No. 91 through No. 100 players of 2025’s “NFL Top 100.” The Dolphins QB was the first player from an Alabama high school or college to appear in the unveiling.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.

The Alabama Wildlife Center’s more than 40 year old A/C unit is broken and must be replaced to keep the space cool and comfortable.

The center, which is dedicated to the protection, preservation and conservation of Alabama’s native birds through rehabilitation and education initiatives, said it needs the community’s help to raise enough money to replace the $30,000 unit.

“One of our main HVAC units has failed—this critical system provides heating and cooling for the heart of our facility, including our public spaces like the Reptile Room, intake desk, David Pylant Education Room, and the bird feeding observatory room. These spaces are essential for our educational programs, guest experiences, and daily wildlife operations,” the center wrote on their website.

For more than 45 years, the center has cared for and helped more than 50,000 injured and orphaned birds and mammals. Their facility currently features permanent residents such as a Bald Eagle and Eurasian Eagle Owl, hawks, owls and vultures.

The center said that without this HVAC system, the comfort and safety of the staff and visitors are at risk, especially as a heat wave passes through Alabama.

They are working to raise $15,000 by the end of August to “help subsidize the financial burden and ensure they can continue offering a comfortable, safe and accessible environment for both people and wildlife.”

Click here to donate to the Alabama Wildlife Center to help replace the AC unit.

AL.com reached out to the Alabama Wildlife Center but did not receive a response back prior to publishing.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 3:06 p.m. on Friday in effect until 3:45 p.m. for Chilton, Coosa, Shelby and Talladega counties.

Wind gusts of up to 60 mph and quarter-sized hail (1 inch) are foreseen.

“At 3:05 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located over Lay Lake, or near Talladega Springs, moving southwest at 15 mph,” according to the weather service. “Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.”

Locations impacted by the warning include Calera, Clanton, Columbiana, Jemison, Wilsonville, Talladega Springs, Weogufka, Thorsby, Gap Of The Mountain, Strickland Crossroads, Marble Valley, Fayetteville, Lay Lake Dam, Unity, Lay Lake, Mitchell Lake, Shelby, Minooka Park, Lomax and Alabama 4H Center.

According to the weather service, “For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Large hail, damaging wind, and continuous cloud to ground lightning are occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature’s leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.”

Shielding yourself from approaching lightning: Expert safety guidelines

Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the bulk of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months. Tragically, lightning claims the lives of about 20 individuals annually, as reported by the weather service. The risk of lightning-related incidents escalates as thunderstorms draw near, reaching its peak when the storm directly looms overhead. However, it gradually recedes as the tempest moves away.

To guarantee your safety in the midst of a thunderstorm, take into account the following recommendations:

Lightning safety plan:

• When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
• Monitor the sky for threatening signs and listen for the sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s an indication that lightning is nearby.
• Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.

Indoors safety measures:

• Once you’ve found shelter indoors, abstain from using corded phones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures, and refrain from approaching windows and doors.
• Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.

Wait for the all-clear:

• After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
• Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn’t available:

If you find yourself outdoors with no access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk.
• Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
• If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
• Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
• Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.

Navigating rainy roads: Safety tips for wet weather

When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises. Whether it’s prolonged rainfall or rapid runoff, being prepared is essential. Here are some valuable safety tips from the weather service to ensure you stay safe in heavy rain:

Beware of swollen waterways:

Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.

Reduce speed and drive cautiously:

If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.

Prioritize visibility

Turn on your headlights and be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.

Watch out for slippery roads:

Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas.

If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.