The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Pima County, effective June 27 at 4:38 p.m. The warning expires on June 27 at 5:15 PM.
A severe thunderstorm occurred over Elgin, about 23 miles northwest of Sierra Vista, moving east at 10 mph; Wind gusts of 60 miles per hour and quarter-sized hail were forecast. Hail damage to vehicles was expected, as well as wind damage to roofs, siding and trees.
Affected locations include Patagonia, Sonoita, Elgin and Canelo, as well as the following highways: Route 82 between kilometer markers 22 and 44; Route 83 between kilometer markers 14 and 40.
For the latest watches and warnings, see our weather alerts page.
Tips for driving in the rain
The Arizona Department of Transportation has provided the following safety tips for driving in the rain:
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Check the windshield wipers and replace them if necessary before rain is expected.
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Turn on the headlights.
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Reduce the speeds.
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Avoid sudden braking on wet roads.
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Create a “space cushion” between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
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Avoid areas where water has collected on the lanes.
How to Protect Yourself from Lightning Strikes
Here are lightning safety tips from the National Weather Service:
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Pay attention to the weather. If you see big blue clouds, also called thunderheads, go inside. These types of clouds can mean a thunderstorm is coming.
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Enter a building with plumbing and wiring. If lightning strikes the building, the lightning will be guided around it and into the ground.
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Stay in your car. A vehicle offers you protection because electricity from lightning travels through the structure of the vehicle instead of hitting you.
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Get off open water. A boat on the water is probably the most noticeable object and you could be hit.
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Do not shower or bathe. If lightning strikes your pipes, it could end up in the water in your bath or shower.
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Do not use electrical appliances with plugs or cords. Cordless cell phones are fine, as are laptops that are connected to wifi but not plugged in.
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Follow the 30-30 rule. If you hear thunder within 30 seconds of a lightning bolt, it means that the distance from the thunderstorm is threatening. Wait at least 30 minutes after you hear the last thunder before going outside. That gives the storm enough time to move away or dissipate.
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You don’t have to be near a storm to get hit. Lightning strikes can easily travel 10 miles or more. A record lightning strike in Oklahoma in 2007 traveled nearly 200 miles. Seek shelter if you hear thunder.
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Don’t take shelter under a tree. If lightning strikes the tree, the ground charge from the strike can travel into you.
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Do not stand together in a group. If you are outside with friends or family during a thunderstorm, don’t all stand together. By keeping your distance you can limit the number of people injured in lightning strikes.
This article was generated by The Arizona Republic and USA TODAY Network using data released by the National Weather Service. It was edited by a staff member.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Thunderstorm warning issued for Pima County
