A tornado, hail and lightning in Seattle today? Here’s how to prepare

Sunshine one day and falling chunks of ice, lightning and even a tornado the next? While you’re experiencing the severe weather whiplash, it might be a good time to run over some safety procedures. 

Seattle is in for severe thunderstorms on Wednesday evening as a strong storm system approaches western Washington. There is about a 15% to 30% chance of hail that could be at least an inch in diameter and a less than 5% chance that a tornado will touch down as wind gusts could reach 58 mph.

If you’re not sure what to do in these conditions, that’s understandable: This type of weather is very rare here. The last time a tornado touched down around Seattle was in 2018 when a twister with an EF-2 rating touched down in Port Orchard and ripped the roofing off houses there. It was a year earlier in 2017 that Western Washington last saw a report of one-inch hail, said National Weather Service forecaster Jeff Michalski.

“It’s not quite that often that we get these strong storms like this so we want to take it serious and monitor the weather throughout the day,” Michalski said.

Staying safe from lightning strikes that accompany thunderstorms has a simple rule of thumb: “When thunder roars, stay indoors,” Michalski said. That means stay inside, stay away from windows and if you’re outside, find shelter fast.

Here are some more tips to take the weather warnings seriously.

In the event a tornado strikes, act quickly, advises the National Weather Service.

1. Stay informed by following weather updates in the media or on a NOAA weather radio.
2. Stay home, go to a basement or an interior room away from windows; bring pets if time allows.
3. If at work or school, stay away from windows and large open areas like cafeterias, gyms or auditoriums. 
4. If you’re outside, get into a building. Sheds, mobile homes, tents and storage facilities won’t protect you.
5. If you’re in a vehicle, drive to the nearest shelter. If that’s not possible, get down and cover your head.

Should that one-inch hail arrive, the U.S. Forest Service has some tips.

1. Get indoors. If you can’t find shelter, protect your body or, at the very least, your head. 
2. Stay out of culverts and lowland areas because they could fill suddenly with water.
3. Do not drive. If you’re on the road, pull over safely onto the shoulder and stay away from trees that could potentially fall.
4. If possible, park vehicles in a sturdy garage or under a shelter to avoid damage from the hail. For those on the east side of the Seattle area, the Bellevue Police Department recommends parking at the Eastgate or South Bellevue park and ride garages.
5. If you are in a vehicle, do not leave it until the hail stops. The car will provide some protection.

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