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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Long-lived severe windstorm with widespread damage approaching.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Interior room now. Expect long power outage. Stay off roads.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Bow echo on radar and severe wind warning for long duration.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sudden increase in gusts with horizontal rain.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Derechos produce damaging winds over hundreds of kilometers in hours.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Damage resembles tornado paths but along straight broad corridor.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Move to basement or interior bathroom immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Bring phone charger and flashlight to shelter room.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Assume power and cell service may fail region-wide.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Check on neighbors after wind passes if safe.
When and how to get professional help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Shelter through peak wind swath. Do not travel until authorities clear roads.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 for injuries from structure collapse.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Use text messages when cell networks overloaded.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Utility restoration may take days — relocate vulnerable to cooling or warming centers.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT drive into approaching green-brown cloud wall.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT use generators indoors during extended outage.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Derecho damage is always from a tornado
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Straight-line winds cause most derecho damage. Shelter the same way — interior low room.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Standing outdoors filming approaching shelf cloud.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Aftershock
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — The ground shakes again after the main earthquake.
Avalanche warning
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Avalanche danger is high on slopes where you are traveling or living.
Buried in avalanche
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You or someone nearby is buried in avalanche snow.
Compound disaster
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Multiple disasters overlap — e.g. earthquake and tsunami, cyclone and flood.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Gas leaks common after roof damage — smell before entering damaged areas.