A weather warning while on holiday often comes just when the family has returned from an excursion, wants to use the balcony, or wants to make a quick trip to the lake. In a holiday home, a lot can be prepared in just a few simple steps. It is crucial to take warnings for your current location seriously and not wait until the first clap of thunder to react.
Check the weather warning for your location
Do not just look at a general weather app, but at the warning map for the region. Thunderstorms can develop in very small areas. The warnings from GeoSphere Austria also include accompanying phenomena such as heavy rain, storms, and hail. For families, it is particularly important to know whether a thunderstorm is expected at the holiday home, the campsite, or the planned excursion destination in the next few hours.
The quick holiday home check before the thunderstorm
- Balcony and terrace: Bring light furniture, parasols, toys, laundry, and loose plant parts into the house or secure them firmly.
- Windows and doors: Close all windows and check whether cellar, balcony, or terrace doors are really locked.
- Water drains: Clear visible drains, gutters, and gullies of leaves and dirt without opening covers or technical equipment.
- Electricity: Disconnect sensitive devices from the mains if the house rules or the rental agreement provide for this. Do not change anything yourself on fuse boxes or foreign installations.
- Family area: Designate an indoor room where everyone will stay during the worst of the thunderstorm. Balconies, terraces, and open windows are off-limits then.
- Emergency items: Keep a flashlight, charged mobile phones, water, medication, and the most important contact details within reach.
Postpone excursions, swimming, or hiking
If there is a risk of thunderstorms, an excursion should not take place at all costs. Swimming, boating, climbing, and paths near streams or under trees should be postponed. Even a short walk to the car can be dangerous if storm gusts have already started. According to the Austrian authorities, anyone on the road by car should interrupt their journey and seek out a building.
What is important after the thunderstorm
Do not go outside immediately just because the rain is easing. Branches, roof tiles, wet embankments, and damaged lines can still be dangerous. Keep a safe distance from downed power lines. Only photograph damage to the holiday home once the area is safe, and report it to the rental agency or the responsible contact person. In the event of acute danger, the emergency number 122 applies to the fire brigade.
Family rule for thunderstorm days
A simple rule helps children: As soon as the accompanying adult calls for a thunderstorm break, everyone stays in the house and waits together. This way, no one has to run back and forth between the balcony, parking lot, and excursion bag while the weather situation is already turning.
Caution
- Thunderstorm at home: Which plugs should be pulled
- Documenting hail damage after the thunderstorm
- Moving into a holiday apartment: the check immediately after arrival
- Vacation check for the apartment before departure
Sources and further information
- GeoSphere Austria: Thunderstorm warnings
- oesterreich.gv.at: Behavior during severe weather
- Heute.at: Thunderstorms with large amounts of rain and hail
Article image: AI-generated symbolic image.
