Spring in the Midwest is always welcome. The snow and cold are replaced by warm sunny days. But with it, Spring brings Storm Season. Severe weather outbreaks are common, and sometimes seem to crop up from nowhere, and without warning. Being prepared for stormy weather is essential to protecting yourself, your home and your family.

1. Copyright: Rainbow International of Des Moines 2015 ~ Photo Credit: Google

2. Storm season
Copyright: Rainbow International of Des Moines 2015 ~ Photo Credit: Flkr.com
Spring in the Midwest is always welcome. The snow and cold are replaced by
warm sunny days. But with it, Spring brings Storm Season. Severe weather
outbreaks are common, and sometimes seem to crop up from nowhere, and
without warning.
Being prepared for stormy weather is essential to protecting yourself, your home
and your family.

3. Copyright: Rainbow International of Des Moines 2015
Is your home ready in case of high winds?
We sometimes forget that wind damage alone can cause catastrophic
loss. To minimize losses:
 Keep tree branches well groomed and away from
structures.
 Have your roof and shingles checked annually to be sure
they are in good condition.
 Inspect and repair siding, gutters and fascia each Spring
and Fall.
 Move breakables away from windows and doors.
 Put outdoor furniture and decorative items inside.
WIND

4. Copyright: Rainbow International of Des Moines 2015
Have large trees inspected by a
certified arborist every 2 years to
be sure they don’t pose a threat.

5. Do you know how to stay safe during flooding events?
• Don’t drive through water. Just 8” of water can wash away a pickup or full size SUV.
Remember, “Turn around, don’t drown.”
• Don’t allow children to wade or play in standing water. Sewage and other contaminants
mix with rain and ground water making those oh-so-tempting flooded ditches and low
spots a virtual hotbed of pathogens and bacteria.
• Do keep an eye on any nearby waterways. Spring downpours can overflow the banks
without warning, resulting in dangerous conditions.
Copyright: Rainbow International of Des Moines 2015 Photo Credit: Google

6. Copyright: Rainbow International of Des Moines 2015
Photo Credit: Flkr.com
Avoid boating, rafting and
swimming when water levels are
high.
Never swim in rivers!
Unexpected holes, undercurrents
and hidden objects like tree
branches can present just some
of the dangers.

7. LIGHTNING
Sometimes we don’t think
about just how serious a
threat lightning is. An
estimated 24,000 people
are killed by lightning
strikes around the world
each year and about
240,000 are injured.
Additionally, according to
the Insurance Information
Institute, in 2011 alone,
lightning strikes in the U.S.
cost nearly $1 billion in
insured losses.
Copyright: Rainbow International of Des Moines 2015 ~ Photo Credit: Flkr.com

8. • During a Lightning Event:
• Stay indoors and away from
windows and doors.
• Unplug any household items such
as electronics, appliances, lamps,
etc.
• If caught outdoors, stay away
from trees and other tall objects.
• If you cannot find cover inside of
a home or building, crouch as
close to the ground as possible.
Copyright: Rainbow International of Des Moines 2015 ~ Photo Credit: Flkr.com

9. HAIL: Nature’s Wrecking Ball
Copyright: Rainbow International of Des Moines 2015 ~ Photo Credit: Google
• Hail causes about $1 billion dollars in damage to property
and crops each year, according to the National Oceanic
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
• The states that typically have the highest hail risk include
Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, according to
NOAA’s Severe Storm database.
• Peak months for high hail activity are historically March,
April, May, and June, according to NOAA’s Severe Storm
database.

10. HAIL
• Stay indoors until the hail
stops. If you’re outdoors,
seek shelter inside
immediately.
• Stay away from windows,
skylights and doors (with
windows).
• Close curtains, blinds or
window shades to prevent
potential injury from
broken glass blowing
inside.
• Do not go outside for any
reason. Even small hail,
when combined with wind
can cause serious or even
fatal injuries.
Copyright: Rainbow International of Des Moines 2015 ~ Photo Credit: Google

11. TORNADO
From the American Red Cross:
Know the Difference
• Tornado Watch - Tornadoes are
possible in and near the watch
area. Review and discuss your
emergency plan and check
supplies and your safe room. Be
ready to act quickly if a warning is
issued or you suspect a tornado is
approaching. Acting early helps to
save lives!
• Tornado Warning - A tornado
has been sighted or indicated by
weather radar. Tornado warnings
indicate imminent danger to life
and property. Go immediately
under ground to a basement,
storm cellar or an interior room
(closet, hallway or bathroom).
Copyright: Rainbow International of Des Moines 2015 ~ Photo Credit: Google

12. Copyright: Rainbow International of Des Moines 2015 ~ Photo Credit: Google
Tornadoes are quick-moving, fierce
storms that can strike with little or no
warning, and can change direction at
any moment.
From abcnews.com:
• If you're in a well-defined building
with sturdy walls, you should go to
any pre-designated shelter if there
is one, like a storm cellar or
basement.
• If there is no pre-designed shelter,
head to the lowest floor of the
building and find the most central
room. Be sure to stay away from
windows, doors and outside walls.
• If you're in a vehicle or mobile
home, FEMA recommends getting
out immediately and heading for a
more secure building or storm
shelter.
• If you're outside and there's no
shelter available, get as low as you
can. Head for a ditch or land
depression and cover your head,
FEMA recommends. Do NOT go
under a bridge or overpass.

13. Spring Storms are some of nature’s most awe-
inspiring events. Knowing when take action and
what to do to is the key to keeping yourself and
your family safe.
For more information on storm safety, please visit:
• The American Red Cross: redcross.org
• NOAA: noaa.gov
• Weather Underground: wnderground.com
• National Weather Service: weather.gov/safety
Copyright: Rainbow International of Des Moines 2015 ~ Photo Credit: Google

14. Several homes in and around Panora, Iowa and Lake Panorama were badly damaged or
completely destroyed during the 2014 tornado outbreak in that area.

15. Panora, Iowa
home damage by a tornado.(2014)
Copyright: Rainbow International of Des Moines 2015

16. Panora, Iowa home damage by a
tornado.
(2014)
Copyright: Rainbow International of
Des Moines 2015

17. Panora, Iowa home damage by a tornado.
(2014)
Copyright: Rainbow International of Des Moines 2015

18. Panora, Iowa home damage by a tornado.
(2014)
Copyright: Rainbow International of Des Moines 2015

19. Panora, Iowa
home damage
by a tornado.
(2014)
Copyright: Rainbow
International of Des
Moines 2015

20. Panora, Iowa
home damage
by a tornado.
(2014)
Copyright: Rainbow
International of Des
Moines 2015

21. Copyright: Rainbow International of Des Moines 2015
Panora, Iowa home damage by a tornado.
(2014)

22. Copyright: Rainbow International of Des Moines 2015Panora, Iowa
home damage by a tornado.
(2014)

23. Rainbowintl.com/des-moines
Copyright © 2015 by Rainbow International of Des
Moines
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by
any means, including photocopying, recording, or other
electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior
written permission of the publisher, except in the case of
brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain
other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed
“Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at 2901 Willis
Avenue, Perry IA 50220
Photo credits: Pages 3, 4 & 14 Photo copyright Rainbow
International of Des Moines 2014. All other photos
courteousy of Google or Flkr