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The NWS Wilmington NC issued a report at 12:33 a.m. on Monday for strong thunderstorms until 1:15 a.m. The alert is for Coastal New Hanover, Inland Brunswick and Coastal Brunswick.
The storms could bring pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) and wind gusts of up to 40 mph.
"At 12:32 a.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm 8 miles south of Ocean Crest Pier, moving northeast at 60 mph," according to the NWS. "Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible."
Locations impacted by the alert include Oak Island, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Caswell Beach, Bald Head Island, South Masonboro Island, Snows Cut, Ocean Crest Pier, Boiling Spring Lakes, St. James, Southport, Myrtle Grove, Sea Breeze, Silver Lake and Dosher Memorial Hospital.
The NWS adds, "If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. 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."
This alert is in effect until 1:15 a.m.
Around 25 million lightning strikes occur in the United States every year, with most taking place during the summer months. The NWS reports that these strikes result in about 20 fatalities annually. The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above. As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
Here are suggestions for staying safe during a thunderstorm:
If finding indoor shelter is not an option:
What is hydroplaning?
Hydroplaning is the term for when a vehicle begins sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. Hydroplaning is most commonly attributed to three factors:
In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here's what to know:
Source: The National Weather Service