Calling to report large hail – not injured.
If the caller IS in large hail:
Q1: What size is the hail?
Q2: When did it start?
Q3: Are you outside, inside a structure, or in a car?
If the caller is…
Q1: Where are you?
Q2: Is your car damaged?
Tell the Caller…
| Stop driving. If you can see a safe place close-by to drive to (like inside a garage, or under a highway overpass, or beneath service station awning), do so now. Make sure you pull off the highway completely. |
| A tree is not the best place to seek shelter. It is common for trees to lose their branches during severe storms. |
| Do not leave your car until it stops hailing. Your car will furnish reasonable protection. |
| Stay away from windows. Cover your eyes with something (like a piece of clothing). If possible, get onto the floor face down, or lay down on the seat with your back to the windows. Put very small children under you, and cover their eyes. |
Q1: Where are you calling from?
Q2: Has the hail done any significant damage?
Tell the caller…
| Stay inside until the hail stops. |
| Stay away from windows, especially windows that are being hit by hail. |
| Check to make sure that all family members, building occupants, pets, etc. are inside, but do not go outside for any reason. If you are hit in the head, you could be seriously injured, or even killed. |
| Don’t go outside to move anything (like cars, plants, etc.) to safety. If it’s already hailing, it’s too late. |
| Unless you are calling from a cell phone, you need to hang up the phone now. Lightning can travel along phone lines and injure you. |
Q1: Where are you?
Q2: Is there any shelter around you?
Tell the caller…
| If it is still hailing, you must find shelter. If you can’t find something to protect your entire body from injury, then at least find something to protect your head. |
| Stay out of culverts and lowland areas that might fill suddenly with water. |
| Trees are a last resort. It is common during severe storms for trees to lose their branches. Also, large isolated trees attract lightning. |
If the caller is NOT in large hail at the time:
Q1: How long ago did it stop hailing?
Q2: How large was the hail?
Q3: Can you tell in which direction the storm moved off?
Tell the caller…
NOTE: If the reported size is ¾” or greater, mark the location of the report on a map. Pass the report along to both the local Emergency Operations Center (or Emergency Manager), and the nearest National Weather Service office (as time permits).