Signs of spring

KOSCIUSKO — With temperatures reaching into the 80s recently, warm weather appears to have finally arrived. Birds, bees, flowers and people have emerged to enjoy the sunshine.

Something to keep in mind is that heavy rains, high winds, lightning and temperature variations are prevalent during spring. Thunderstorms can develop quickly. If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike, and you should immediately seek shelter.

Safety tips to remember if you are outside during a thunderstorm include:

• Avoid open areas and hill tops.
• If you are in an open area, find a low place such as a ravine. However, be alert for flash floods. Flash flooding is responsible for more fatalities than any other thunderstorm-associated hazard. 
• Avoid trees and other tall objects. 
• Avoid water. If you are on open water, find land and shelter immediately.
• Avoid metal objects.