Stormy weather hit Selma Thursday night, leaving buckets of rain and damaging at least one area home when high winds knocked over a tree.

Dallas County Emergency Management Agency assistant Floyd Harris said that despite the high winds and lightning that accompanied the storm, no significant damage was reported in Dallas County. There were no reported injuries.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham reported that there have been six lightning fatalities in Alabama this year, “the most in at least eight years.”

WAKA television news meteorologist Chris Bailey said there are several ways people can protect themselves from lightning.

The first is to simply stay indoors.

“Most storms don’t last for more than 30 minutes to an hour, so any inconvenience should be minimal,” he said.

“If caught outdoors,” said Bailey, “seek shelter inside of a building or in automobile.”

Second, stay away from tall, solitary objects. “Do not become the tallest object in a flat area,” Bailey said. “Stay as low as possible.”

Third, do not touch anything that might become a conductor for electricity.

“Stay away from metallic objects that have a connection to the outside, such as pipes, TV cable, phone lines (cordless and cell phones are fine), and electric cables, even ones for things like lamps or stereos,” Bailey said.

Fourth, if on a river, lake or even in a swimming pool, get to dry ground immediately.

“Water conducts electricity,” Bailey said. “If in a boat, head to shore immediately. Again get inside a sturdy building or in a car.”

Finally, said Bailey, “a good general to rule to follow is: if you can hear thunder, you can be struck by lightning. When you hear it, move indoors. Also use thunder to let you know when it’s safe to venture outdoors after a storm.”

According to the Selma Water Works, 1.25 inches of rain fell from Selma’s skies Thursday.

Despite the rainfall which has hit Central Alabama for the past few weeks, Bailey said that Central Alabama still remains 9 to 12 inches, or more, behind normal in the rainfall department.

“These quick showers, while heavy at times, have done little to affect the overall drought problem,” Bailey said. “What is needed are day-long rains for several days in a row, allowing moisture to really sink in without evaporating or being used solely by shallow root systems.”