What should you do during a severe thunderstorm? Move indoors immediately to an interior room away from windows, avoid using corded phones or appliances, don’t shower, stay away from windows, and wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before going outside.
Severe thunderstorms kill and injure more people annually than any other weather phenomenon in Australia. Knowing what to do before, during, and after a severe storm can save your life and protect your property.
What makes a thunderstorm “severe”?
A thunderstorm is classified as severe when it produces one or more of these hazards:
Giant hail: Hailstones 5cm diameter or larger (golf ball size+) Large hail: Hailstones 2-5cm diameter Damaging winds: Wind gusts 90km/h or stronger Destructive winds: Wind gusts 125km/h or stronger Heavy rainfall: Leading to flash flooding Tornadoes: Rare in Australia but possible
The Bureau of Meteorology issues Severe Thunderstorm Warnings when these conditions are expected or occurring.
What should you do before a severe thunderstorm hits?
Immediate preparations (when warning issued):
✓ Secure outdoor items – Furniture, trampolines, toys, garden equipment, tools ✓ Move vehicles under cover – Protect from hail damage if possible ✓ Close all windows and doors – Prevents wind and rain damage ✓ Unplug electrical appliances – Prevents damage from lightning strikes/power surges ✓ Charge phones and devices – In case of power outages ✓ Bring pets inside – Don’t leave animals exposed to severe weather ✓ Clear gutters and drains – If time permits, reduces flooding risk ✓ Identify safe shelter – Know which room to shelter in ✓ Have emergency kit accessible – Torch, first aid, battery radio
Don’t delay – Severe storms can arrive faster than expected.
Where is the safest place during a severe thunderstorm?
Safest locations in your home:
- Interior rooms with no windows (bathrooms, hallways, closets)
- Ground floor or basement (if available)
- Central areas away from exterior walls
- Under sturdy furniture if tornado warning issued
- Small rooms with solid walls
Avoid these areas:
- Rooms with large windows or glass doors
- Near skylights
- Rooms with ceiling fans (can fall in extreme winds)
- Garages with large doors
- Near fireplaces or metal pipes
- Anywhere outside
What should you never do during a thunderstorm?
Critical safety rules – NEVER:
❌ Use corded phones – Lightning can travel through phone lines ❌ Shower or bathe – Plumbing conducts electricity ❌ Use wired electronics – Computers, gaming consoles on corded power ❌ Touch plumbing/metal – Faucets, metal door frames, pipes ❌ Stand near windows – Flying debris and broken glass hazards ❌ Go outside – Even if rain hasn’t started ❌ Touch anything connected to walls – Electrical outlets, light switches ❌ Shelter under trees – Lightning strike and falling branch risk
Mobile phones on battery power are safe to use during storms.
How do you protect your home from hail damage?
Before hail arrives:
- Close all blinds and curtains (reduces glass scatter if windows break)
- Move vehicles into garages or under solid cover
- Cover vehicles with thick blankets/mattresses if no cover available
- Stay away from windows and skylights
- Move to interior rooms
During hail:
- Don’t go outside to move vehicles or retrieve items
- Stay away from windows even if they haven’t broken yet
- Giant hail can break through windows – shelter in windowless rooms
- Cover your head if in exposed areas
After hail:
- Document damage with photos before cleanup (insurance)
- Check roof for damage but don’t climb up if unsafe
- Cover broken windows temporarily
- Report damage to insurance immediately
What do you do if caught in a car during severe weather?
If severe thunderstorm approaches while driving:
- Find solid shelter immediately:
- Shopping center parking garage
- Service station canopy
- Parking garage
- Substantial covered structure
- If no shelter available:
- Pull completely off the road to a safe location
- Turn on hazard lights
- Stay in vehicle (acts as Faraday cage for lightning)
- Avoid touching metal parts
- Don’t park under trees or power lines
- Stay away from flood-prone areas
- If giant hail starts:
- Stay in vehicle
- Get below window level if possible
- Cover your head with clothing or floor mats
- Face away from windows
- Wait for hail to pass (usually 5-20 minutes)
Never try to outrun a storm – you could drive into worse conditions or have an accident.
How long should you wait after a thunderstorm passes?
The 30-30 rule for lightning safety:
- When you see lightning, count seconds until you hear thunder
- If less than 30 seconds, lightning is within 10km – dangerous
- Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before going outside
Lightning can strike up to 15km away from the main storm, even from blue sky (“bolt from the blue”).
What causes flash flooding during thunderstorms?
Flash flooding occurs when:
- Heavy rainfall (25mm+ per hour) falls faster than ground can absorb
- Urban areas with concrete prevent water absorption
- Drainage systems become overwhelmed
- Multiple thunderstorms hit the same area
Flash flooding is extremely dangerous because:
- Develops within minutes without warning
- Water depth and speed are deceptive
- Just 15cm of flowing water can sweep away a vehicle
- Hides hazards like holes, debris, downed power lines
What should you do if your area is flash flooding?
Immediate actions:
✓ Move to higher ground immediately ✓ Never drive through floodwater – “If it’s flooded, forget it” ✓ Don’t walk through floodwater – may be deeper than it appears ✓ Stay away from stormwater drains and creeks ✓ Turn off electricity at mains if water enters home ✓ Follow evacuation orders immediately ✓ Call 000 if in immediate danger
Never: ❌ Drive through water over the road ❌ Walk through fast-flowing water ❌ Let children play in floodwater ❌ Try to retrieve items from flooded areas ❌ Enter flooded buildings
Your life is worth more than any vehicle or possession.
How do you know if a thunderstorm is severe?
Warning signs of severe thunderstorms:
- Very dark, greenish, or yellowish sky
- Large, dark, low-lying clouds
- Loud roaring sound (like a freight train)
- Sudden wind speed increase
- Large hailstones
- Continuous lightning and thunder
- Sudden temperature drop
Official warnings:
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning from Bureau of Meteorology
- Emergency Alert on mobile phones
- Sirens (in some areas)
Never wait for official warnings if you observe severe conditions – take shelter immediately.
What’s the difference between a watch and a warning?
Severe Thunderstorm Watch:
- Conditions are favorable for severe storms to develop
- Storms not yet occurring but possible in next few hours
- Stay alert and monitor conditions
- Prepare but not yet time to take shelter
Severe Thunderstorm Warning:
- Severe storms are occurring or imminent
- Issued for specific areas
- Take action NOW
- Move to safety immediately
- Updated every 10-30 minutes
Warnings are more urgent than watches – act immediately when a warning is issued for your area.
Can you shower during a thunderstorm?
No, you should never shower during a thunderstorm. Lightning can travel through plumbing systems because:
- Metal pipes conduct electricity
- Water is a conductor
- Lightning seeks the path of least resistance to ground
- Plumbing often provides this path
Also avoid:
- Taking baths
- Washing dishes
- Washing hands
- Doing laundry
- Using any plumbing
Wait until the storm has passed completely (30 minutes after last thunder).
What do you do about pets during severe thunderstorms?
Pet safety during storms:
✓ Bring pets indoors before storm arrives ✓ Create a safe, comfortable space away from windows ✓ Keep pets on leash or in carriers (fear can cause them to bolt) ✓ Close curtains to reduce lightning flashes ✓ Play calming music to mask thunder ✓ Stay calm yourself (pets sense your anxiety) ✓ Have ID tags and microchips current (in case of escape)
Never: ❌ Leave pets chained or tied outside ❌ Leave pets in cars ❌ Allow pets to shelter under trees ❌ Separate pets from their safe person
Many pets die during severe weather from being left outside or escaping in panic.
How do you check for damage after a severe thunderstorm?
Post-storm safety inspection:
- Wait for all-clear – Don’t go outside until storm has completely passed
- Check for injuries – Assess family members and pets first
- Check for hazards:
- Downed power lines (stay 8+ meters away)
- Gas leaks (smell of gas, hissing sounds)
- Structural damage (cracks, sagging, leaning)
- Flooded areas (don’t enter)
- Broken glass and sharp debris
- Document damage:
- Take photos/videos before cleanup
- Note time and date
- Photograph all damaged items
- Keep damaged items for insurance inspection
- Make temporary repairs:
- Cover broken windows with boards or plastic
- Tarp damaged roof areas if safe to do so
- Turn off water if pipes are damaged
Never: ❌ Touch downed power lines ❌ Enter flooded areas ❌ Go on damaged roofs ❌ Use damaged appliances ❌ Re-enter damaged buildings until inspected
What should be in a thunderstorm emergency kit?
Essential supplies:
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Torches with spare batteries
- First aid kit
- Medications (at least 3-day supply)
- Bottled water (3 liters per person per day)
- Non-perishable food
- Manual can opener
- Fully charged power banks
- Important documents in waterproof container
- Cash (ATMs don’t work during power outages)
- Pet food and supplies
- Baby supplies if applicable
- Whistle for signaling help
- Warm blankets
Keep kit in easily accessible location that all family members know about.
How do you help children during severe thunderstorms?
Calming strategies for children:
- Explain what’s happening in age-appropriate terms
- Stay calm yourself (children mirror your emotions)
- Create a “storm safety game” with pillows and blankets
- Read stories or play quiet games
- Use noise-canceling headphones if helpful
- Have comfort items available (favorite toy, blanket)
- Praise them for staying calm and following safety rules
Teach children:
- Storm safety rules in simple terms
- Where the safe shelter location is
- What sounds/sights are normal during storms
- That storms pass and safety returns
Never dismiss children’s fears – acknowledge them while providing reassurance.
When should you call emergency services during a storm?
Call 000 immediately if:
- Someone is injured
- Fire has started
- Building is structurally damaged
- You’re trapped by floodwater
- Someone is in immediate danger
- Power lines have fallen
- Gas leak is suspected
Call SES (132 500) for:
- Storm damage to property (no immediate danger)
- Fallen trees on property
- Roof damage requiring tarping
- Flooding assistance (non-life-threatening)
Have your address ready and describe the situation clearly.
Severe thunderstorms are dangerous but predictable. Following these safety guidelines dramatically reduces your risk of injury or death. When warnings are issued, take them seriously – they’re issued by trained meteorologists using real-time data to keep you safe.