Strong thunderstorm with lightning and wind gusts hits Copper Hill
Emergency InformationFrequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. If on your Smith Mountain Lake, get out of the water and move indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now. Do not be caught on the water in the thunderstorm. Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until the storm passes. Here is a special weather statement from the National Weather Service for the listening area. A strong thunderstorm will impact northeastern Floyd and west central Franklin counties through 4.45 p.m. At 4.16 p.m., Doppler was tracking a strong thunderstorm near check or near Copper Hill. This thunderstorm was nearly stationary. Hazard, wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour. Source, radar indicated. Impact, gusty winds could knock down trillions and blow around unsecured objects. Locations impacted include Callaway. If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Frequent cloud-to-ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.