The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Maricopa County beginning at 4:10 p.m. on August 10. The warning will be in effect beginning at 5:00 p.m. on August 10.
A severe thunderstorm was located near Bapchule, or Sun Lakes, moving north at 10 miles per hour, with wind gusts of 60 miles per hour forecast.
Expect damage to roofs, facades and trees.
Affected locations included Chandler, Gilbert, Sun Lakes, Queen Creek, Chandler Heights, Tumbleweed Park, Chandler City Hall, San Tan Village Mall, Seville, Bapchule, Olberg, Chandler Fashion Center Mall, Firebird Lake, Sacaton and Santan.
These included the following highways: Interstate 10 between miles 162 and 180; State Route 87 between miles 148 and 166; State Route 202 between miles 37 and 54.
For the latest observations and warnings, please visit our Weather Alerts page.
Tips for driving in the rain
The Arizona Department of Transportation offers the following safety tips for driving in the rain:
- Check windshield wipers and replace if necessary before expected rainfall.
- Turn on the headlights.
- Reduce speed.
- Avoid sudden braking on wet roads.
- Create a “space buffer” between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
- Avoid areas where water has accumulated in lanes.
How to protect yourself from lightning strikes
Here are lightning protection safety tips from the National Weather Service:
- Pay attention to the weather. If you see large blue clouds, also called storm clouds, go inside. These types of clouds could mean an impending thunderstorm.
- Enter a building that has water pipes and wires. If lightning strikes the building, the lightning will be conducted around the building and into the ground.
- Stay in your car. A vehicle will provide you with protection because lightning will pass through the vehicle structure and not hit you.
- Get out of open water. A boat on the water is probably the most conspicuous object and you could be hit.
- Don’t shower or bathe. If lightning strikes your pipes, it could get into the water in your bath or shower.
- Do not use electrical appliances with plugs or cords. Wireless cell phones are OK, as are laptops that are connected to Wi-Fi but not plugged in.
- Follow the 30-30 rule. If you hear thunder within 30 seconds of a lightning strike, it means the storm is dangerously far away. Wait at least 30 minutes after you hear the last thunder. This gives the storm plenty of time to move away or dissipate.
- You don’t have to be near a thunderstorm to be struck. Lightning strikes can easily travel 10 miles or more. A record lightning bolt in Oklahoma in 2007 traveled nearly 200 miles. Seek shelter if you hear thunder.
- Do not seek shelter under a tree. If lightning strikes the tree, the earth charge from the lightning could penetrate you.
- Don’t crowd together. If you’re outside with friends or family during a thunderstorm, don’t crowd together. Keeping your distance could reduce the number of people injured if lightning strikes.
This article was created by The Arizona Republic and USA TODAY Network using data from the National Weather Service. It was edited by a staff writer.
