North Texas under severe thunderstorm watch through Sunday evening, safety guidelines issued

The National Weather Service Fort Worth office issued a severe thunderstorm watch Sunday, September 21, at 4:17 p.m., effective until 10 p.m. for multiple North Texas counties.

The watch covers Collin, Dallas, Denton, Parker, Tarrant, Wise, Cooke, Eastland, Grayson, Jack, Montague, Palo Pinto, Stephens and Young counties.

Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times annually, with the majority occurring during summer months, according to the National Weather Service. These strikes cause around 20 fatalities each year.


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Lightning probability increases as thunderstorms approach and peaks when storms are directly overhead. The risk decreases as storms move away from the area.

Indoor lightning safety measures

When thunder is audible and skies appear threatening, individuals should seek indoor shelter immediately. Once inside, avoid contact with corded phones, electrical equipment, plumbing, windows and doors.

Wait 30 minutes after the last observed lightning or thunder before returning outdoors.

Outdoor lightning safety guidelines

When indoor shelter is unavailable:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, and ridge tops
  
• Maintain distance from tall, isolated trees or elevated structures
  
• In forested areas, stay near shorter tree groupings
  
• Groups should disperse to prevent electrical current transfer between individuals
  
• Campers should set up in valleys, ravines, or low-lying areas
  
• Tents provide no lightning protection
  
• Keep distance from water, wet items, and metal objects, which conduct electricity efficiently
  

Severe weather driving safety recommendations

Essential wet weather driving practices

• Activate headlights during daylight hours to improve visibility
  
• Drive in middle lanes and stay on elevated roadways
  
• Rainwater accumulates along road edges
  
• Avoid puddles and low-lying water areas to prevent hydroplaning
  
• Maintain increased following distance from large vehicles
  
• Large trucks and buses create water spray reducing visibility
  
• Execute U-turns when encountering flooded roadways
  
• Flash flood currents can pull vehicles off roads
  
• Deep water damages vehicle mechanical and electrical systems
  

Hydroplaning: causes, prevention, and response techniques

Hydroplaning occurs when vehicles slide uncontrollably on wet road surfaces. This happens when water accumulates faster than vehicle weight can displace it, causing tires to ride on a water layer rather than maintaining road contact.

Primary hydroplaning factors

Vehicle speed: Higher speeds reduce tire traction and vehicle control. Reduced speeds are recommended during wet conditions.

Water depth: Any water depth can cause traction loss. Even thin water layers can trigger hydroplaning.

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Tire tread depth: Insufficient tire tread increases sliding risk. Regular tread inspection is recommended.

Hydroplaning response procedures

• Release accelerator pressure to reduce speed until tires regain traction
  
• Steer into the skid direction to realign tires for control recovery
  
• Wait for tire-road reconnection before straightening wheels
  
• Apply brakes normally with anti-lock brake systems
  
• Pump brakes gently in older vehicles without anti-lock systems