Spring and summer can bring a lot of storms to Minnesota. Thunder, lightning, rain, and hail are all common occurrences, and the Golden Valley Fire Department wants all residents to be prepared and stay safe during a storm.
Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms, though localized, are capable of generating winds exceeding 100 miles per hour. It’s important to treat severe thunderstorms as seriously as tornados and seek immediate shelter if in a storm’s path.
Hail
Hail, a product of thunderstorms, causes nearly $1 billion in damage annually, with sizes ranging from pea-sized to as large as grapefruits. Large hail stones can fall at speeds over 100 miles per hour and can be fatal.
Lightning
Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which kills an average of 43 Americans per year and injures hundreds more. No outdoor location is safe during thunderstorms, and if thunder is heard, lightning is close enough to strike.