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Earth Science
Severe Weather Safety
Lightning, Hurricanes, and Tornadoes
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Severe weather can be loud, windy, and scary, but kids can learn simple steps to stay safe. Lightning, hurricanes, and tornadoes are powerful parts of weather. Knowing where to go and what to do helps families stay calm. A Weather Safety Shield reminds us to listen, move to a safe place, and stay with a trusted adult.
Key Facts
- Lightning safety: When thunder roars, go indoors.
- Lightning can strike even when rain is not falling nearby.
- Hurricane safety: Stay inside, away from windows, and listen to adults.
- Tornado safety: Go to a basement or a small inside room on the lowest floor.
- A safe place is indoors, away from windows, trees, and tall objects.
- Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before playing outside again.
Vocabulary
- Lightning
- Lightning is a bright flash of electricity in the sky during a storm.
- Hurricane
- A hurricane is a very large storm with strong winds and heavy rain.
- Tornado
- A tornado is a spinning funnel of air that reaches from a storm cloud to the ground.
- Shelter
- Shelter is a safe place that protects you from dangerous weather.
- Emergency Plan
- An emergency plan is a set of steps a family follows to stay safe.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Standing near a window during a storm is unsafe because strong wind or flying objects can break glass.
- Hiding under a tree during lightning is unsafe because lightning can strike tall objects like trees.
- Going outside to watch a tornado is unsafe because tornado winds can throw dangerous things through the air.
- Ignoring weather alerts is unsafe because alerts tell families when it is time to go to a safe place.
Practice Questions
- 1 You hear thunder at 3:10. If you must wait 30 minutes after the last thunder, what time can you play outside again?
- 2 A family has 4 people. Each person packs 2 bottles of water for a storm kit. How many bottles of water are packed in all?
- 3 You are in a house during a tornado warning. Explain why a small inside room on the lowest floor is safer than a room with big windows.