For many of us, summer is all about reading books on the beach, eating juicy watermelon, enjoying barbecues with friends and spending some much needed time away from screens and out in nature. But as wonderful as the weather might be in your country during June, July and August, there’s a good chance that there are some storms brewing too.

People that live in regions that attract serious storms know the struggles of trying to prepare for extreme weather all too well. But when you don’t have a storm shelter to hide in or a garage to protect your car, you might have to get creative when it comes to preparing for nature to strike. Bored Panda has scoured the internet for the most amusing photos of people getting ready for extreme weather, so you’ll find some hilarious and brilliant tactics below. And be sure to upvote the ones you’ll remember when it’s time to take cover!

#1 Hailstorm Expected In Istanbul

Image credits: reddit.com

#2 Pool Noodle Hail Protection

Image credits: reddit.com

#3 A Jeep Owner In Dallas Covered Their Wrangler With Air Mattresses Before A Hail Storm

Image credits: reddit.com

Personally, I love a good storm. As long as I’m in the comfort and safety of my own home, I am more than happy to listen to thunder roar and watch lightning flashes through the window all evening long. The smell of rain is so refreshing, and seeing lightning strike is absolutely mesmerizing. But as much fun as being a spectator of a strong summer storm is, the sad reality is that extreme storms can take and destroy people’s lives.

According to CISA, there have been 186 severe storms in the United States since 1980 that have each caused over $1 billion in damage. Over 100,000 thunderstorms hit the U.S. every year, and about one in ten reaches a severe level. This means that the storm includes winds of 58 miles per hour or more, pieces of hail one inch in diameter or larger and/or tornadic activity.    

#4 Fun Way To Protect Your Car

Image credits: Cassi

#5 Prepping For Tropical Storm Colin: Placed The Chairs At The Bottom Of The Pool

Image credits: amelia_by_the_sea

#6 My Mom Has 5 Sets Of China (Don’t Ask) And Put Them In Her Pool Prior To Being Evacuated From Fires In Northern California. The Dishware Survived

Image credits: grap112ler

It’s no surprise that these severe storms can have a huge impact on the environment and residents’ lives. Sadly, climate disasters and extreme weather killed over 5,000 Americans between 2016 and 2022, Climate.gov reports. And it appears that severe weather and climate disasters are only becoming more and more common.

The Office for Coastal Management notes on their site that 2022 was a particularly devastating year, as the United States was hit with 18 climate disasters that each cost the country over a billion dollars. 2023 also managed to set multiple weather and climate records as well, with the sea surface temperature reaching +1.78°F or +0.99°C for the first time in the 174 years that NOAA has been recording its temperature.  

#7 They Are Going To End Up There Anyway

Image credits: DaveCarver20

#8 When There’s Baseball-Sized Hail And You Park Outside

Image credits: ItsAlexLuckey

#9 A Hailstorm Ripped Through This Tropical Fruit Farm On The Sunshine Coast Late Yesterday Afternoon

Image credits: bruceatkinson17

When it comes to the damage that these intense storms cause Americans, the effects can sadly last much longer than a few weeks. And we’re not just talking about a bit of hail damage on your car or a leaky roof. Fires and floods can easily destroy homes, and power can be wiped out for weeks following tornadoes and thunderstorms. Cars are often severely damaged, making them unusable and causing families to remain stranded at home. Trees that have been struck by lightning can fall on homes or cars, and they’ll sometimes even block roadways until appropriate teams can come out to remove them.

#10 Trash Bags Filled With Water

Image credits: Farmers' Way

#11 A Secret Technique To Protect Your Car Against Flooding

Image credits: TiefFickenderWert

#12 Excuse The Mulch, There Was An Incoming Hail Storm A While Back

Image credits: 30ktilt

Unfortunately, we can only expect to be hit with more disasters as climate change continues to worsen. USGS warns that, “As more water vapor is evaporated into the atmosphere it becomes fuel for more powerful storms to develop. More heat in the atmosphere and warmer ocean surface temperatures can lead to increased wind speeds in tropical storms. Rising sea levels expose higher locations not usually subjected to the power of the sea and to the erosive forces of waves and currents.”

#13 My Family’s Hurricane Preparation

Image credits: Darthgummy0214

#14 Courier’s Hail Prevention

Image credits: mikdatca

#15 Possibly There’s No Better Way To Use Your Inflatable Mattress

Image credits: Jessica Altamos

You’ve likely noticed changes in the weather where you live in recent years, even if you don’t live in a region that’s known for having extreme winters or tornadoes in the spring. I’m from Texas, and I was shocked that we experienced a blizzard and ice storm in 2021. At the same time, winters in Lithuania have become much warmer since I’ve lived here, despite the fact that the country is known for being freezing cold. With the way climates are changing, it would be wise to be prepared for extreme weather wherever you live, even if you’ve never experienced it before. 

#16 Prepared And Ready For The Hurricane Season

Image credits: the_feisty_pineapple

#17 How To Prepare For A Hailstorm 101

Image credits: cemk38

#18 It’s That Time Of The Year! Portable Shade Cloth Up

Image credits: neowunda

When it comes to preparing for severe storms, the National Weather Service recommends keeping up with the weather forecast and signing up for notifications to keep you informed. It’s also wise to create a communications plan with loved ones with a designated and safe emergency meeting place. Make sure everyone knows the plan and is prepared for what to do when the storm or severe weather finally strikes.   

#19 Hail Prepping

Image credits: Pam Z

#20 Just Texans, Who Are Preparing For A Hail Storm

Image credits: cryptomeg

#21 The Hurricane Chicken Hotel Is Ready For Business

Image credits: alreadyreadthisbook

If you’re anticipating extreme weather, it’s also wise to practice your game plan ahead of time. Make sure everyone knows what they’re doing and won’t be caught off guard when the pressure of the storm is on. Remember to prepare your home as well. Secure loose objects, cover your car, cover your windows and move valuables to a safe place. And don’t forget to help your neighbors. If someone is hurt or doesn’t have access to the same storm-prep supplies you have, don’t hesitate to lend a helping hand.  

#22 Hurricane Prep

Image credits: HA1LSANTA666

#23 “Buckle Up, A Hurricane Is Coming”

Image credits: StrainsFromGenomes

#24 Preparing For The Hailstorm Tonight

Image credits: mercury888

We hope you’re enjoying the creative photos on this list, pandas. And hopefully you won’t be hit with any serious storms any time soon! Keep upvoting the pics you find most amusing, and let us know your best storm-prep tips in the comments below. Then, if you’d like to check out even more photos of wild weather, we recommend reading this Bored Panda article next!

#25 A Bike For Rainy Weather

Image credits: AngryPandaPolka

#26 I See Your Noodle Hail Protection And Raise You… I Don’t Even Know

Image credits: Flambotron

#27 Well, That’s One Way To Protect Your Home From Floods

Image credits: Insperayshun

#28 Preparing For Hurricane Dorian In Hialeah

Image credits: sergiotorrensdrummer

#29 My Neighbor Has A Big Inflatable Thing To Protect His Car From Hail

Image credits: IronRectangle

#30 This Joke Works

Image credits: AbbaGeebz

#31 How Did They Lift The Car High Enough To Slide The Trampoline Under It?

Image credits: CCatguy

#32 Hail Protection

Image credits: Snap_Grackle_Pop

#33 Another Hailstorm Hit Us Yesterday. I Was Grateful For The Hail Protection Netting

Image credits: northernhomestead

#34 Building Some Shade Cloth-Covered Protectors For My Plants This Year, As I Don’t Want A Repeat Of Last Year’s Hail Damage

Image credits: Vlammenzee

#35 Hail Protection For Starlink Disk

Yesterday the weather forecast predicted hail, so I wanted to protect the dish in the event of hail. I used a piece of foam and the dish installation bag I got with my post-installation kit. I just covered it and left it in place for the night.
It did slow down performance, but I was able to remove it easily the next day, without issue. Cheap and effective.

Image credits: XRS-2200

#36 Hurricane Preparation

Image credits: CantFstopme

#37 It’s More Cost-Effective To Wrap And Tape Than To Pay For Repairs After A Severe Hailstorm

#38 Ready For Hail Storm. I Hope My Garden Survives

Image credits: TsugumoHanshiro62

#39 Approaching Hail Storm. Can’t Fit 2 Cars In A One-Car Garage

Image credits: Sam Stalos

#40 There Has Got To Be A Better Way Than This To Protect My Garden From Hailstorms

Image credits: Squeak_Squeakum

#41 Hail Storm At Pahalgam

Image credits: Anti-Hail Nets Kashmir

#42 Bring On The Hail (Not Really Though – I Don’t Want To Replace All My Other Stuff)

Image credits: reddawnspawn

#43 When The Garage Is Full And You Live In Texas, And They Say There Is A Possible Softball-Sized Hail

Image credits: sherrivancampen

#44 Way To Be Prepared

Image credits: ChrisSpearsWx

#45 I Keep Hail/Shade Fabric Over My Tomatoes All Season. Even Small Hail Can Devastate The Leaves Of A Young Tomato Plant

Image credits: marcofrancogram

#46 Protecting Your Tesla From Hail With A Car Tent

Image credits: DÆrik

#47 Hail Protector On And I’m Ready For Tonight

Got caught in some pea-sized hail earlier, but luckily there was no damage. But for tonight, I’m not taking chances. This thing has paid for itself three times already! It ain’t cheap, but it's better than an insurance deductible.

Image credits: Tamadrummer88

#48 Preparing For Bad Weather

Image credits: 1hungbadger

#49 No Carport No Problem Filled Garbage Bags With Leaves And Rolled Them Up In The Windows To Keep Them In Place

Image credits: Ashley Green

#50 My Neighbor’s Hail Deterrent

Image credits: BrilliantChipmunk6

#51 How To Protect Your Car From Hurricane Irma

Image credits: minustwofish

#52 Whatever Works, Right?

Image credits: WxFanaticCC

#53 Quarter-Sized Hail To Come Tonight? Well, Nothing But A Tree To Park Under So Let’s Do What We Can

Image credits: ForTheHordeKT

#54 Hurricane Preparation

Image credits: KayBrevis

#55 We’re Expecting A Hailstorm. They Expect Some Of The Hails To Be 1-2 Inch In Diameter. Hope This Will Be Enough, Pray For My Baby

Image credits: Ld_Slades

#56 We’re Ready

Image credits: Lolita Budrienė

#57 My Mom Covered The Windshield Of Her Prized PT Cruiser (Which Hasn’t Run In 5 Years) With A Raft To Protect It From Hail Damage

Image credits: lawsjoht816

#58 Protecting My Car The Mexican Way

Image credits: josieorizaga

#59 Hail Protection In Denton. 2 Cars In Garage, 3rd Won’t Fit… How To Hail-Proof A Volkswagen Jetta

Image credits: Jennifer Travis

#60 Inventive Weatherproofing

Image credits: Alex Webb

#61 Used Bags Of Potting Soil To Shield The Vehicle’s Sunroof In A Recent Storm

Image credits: Julie Ward

#62 Hailstorm Was Expected In Istanbul. We Got A Cute Cat Instead

Image credits: AL4M4N

#63 Got Caught In The Sydney Hailstorm Yesterday. Towels Didn’t Save The Tesla From A Beating. Golf Ball-Sized Hail Has Left Golf Ball-Sized Dents

Image credits: Tubbers

#64 Preparing For A Hail Storm

Image credits: CMDR_Jeefly

#65 Back When I Lived In Florida, I Had To Prepare For An Incoming Hurricane. I Ran Out Of Wood But Didn’t Run Out Of Ideas

Image credits: nasapuppy

#66 It Doesn’t Have To Be Fancy

Image credits: Viola Yee

#67 We’re Getting Ready For A Hailstorm Right Now

Image credits: Auto KGV

#68 Made This Angry Face Before A Hailstorm

Image credits: Vaiva Gr

from Bored Panda https://ift.tt/rikDpBK
via IFTTT source site : boredpanda