An updated weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service Wednesday at 2:53 p.m. for showers until 4 p.m. for Crawford County.

Residents may experience wind gusts of up to 50 mph.

“At 2:52 p.m., Doppler radar detected showers along a line extending from near Middlefield to near Carrollton. Movement was eastward at 35 mph,” the weather service said. “Gusts of wind could bring down tree branches and blow around unsecured objects.”

Locations affected by the alert include Youngstown, Warren, Salem, Columbiana, Boardman, Alliance, Niles, Campbell, Hubbard, Canfield, Cortland, Newton Falls, Sebring, Minerva, Lordstown, Middlefield, Garrettsville, Kinsman, North Bloomfield and Burton.

According to the weather service, “if you are outdoors, consider sheltering inside a building.”

Dealing with heavy rain: safety tips on wet roads

Rain can turn roads into hazards. Stay informed and follow these tips from the weather service to stay safe in heavy rain:

Beware of rapid water flow:

• During heavy rain, avoid playing near culverts or drainage ditches, where fast-moving water can pose a serious risk.

Maintain safe driving distances:

• The two-second rule for tracking distance is your friend in heavy rain. Extend it up to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.

Slow down and drive carefully:

• On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Release the accelerator pedal gradually and avoid sudden braking to avoid skidding.

Choose your path wisely:

• Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Exterior pathways are more prone to water accumulation.

Visibility matters:

• Improve your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Be wary of vehicles in blind spots, as rain-stained windows can obscure them.

Be careful of slippery roads:

• The first half hour of rain is when the roads are most slippery due to a mixture of rain, grime and oil. Exercise extreme caution during this time.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

• Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them quickly and safely.

Pay attention to your windshield wipers:

Overloaded wiper blades can impair visibility. If rain significantly limits your view, stop and wait for conditions to improve. Seek shelter in rest areas or protected places. When stopping on the side of the road, position your vehicle as far from the road as possible, ideally beyond the guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate the hazard lights to alert other drivers.

When facing heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in keeping you safe on the road. Remember to stay informed of weather conditions and follow advice from local authorities for safe travel.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.