Lightening Awareness Safety Week (June 24-30, 2012)

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By Terry Orr

When Thunder roars, Go indoors!!  That’s advice from the National Weather Service.  Also an expression my parents would have embraced and used while I was growing up. My Dad said more than once, “Boy, don’t you have enough sense to come in from the rain?”  I enjoyed watching storms, especially those that might contain tornados.

Lightening on the other hand, got my undivided attention.  I still enjoy watching thunderstorms – over the years I have gained a healthy respect for lightening.  The closest I have ever came to a bolt, was about 50 feet and nearly lost all body functions, jumped straight out of my chair during dinner.

Summer is the peak season for one of the nation's deadliest weather phenomena— lightning. But don't be fooled, lightning strikes year round. The goal of this Website is to safeguard U.S. residents from lightning. In the United States, an average of 54 people are reported killed each year by lightning.

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Lightning is a serious danger. Through this site we hope you'll learn more about lightning risks and how to protect yourself, your loved ones and your belongings.

These simple precautions can save lives during a lightning storm.

Stay Alert

• Monitor local weather conditions regularly with a special weather radio or AM/FM radio.
• Recognize the signs of an oncoming thunder and lightning storm - towering clouds with a "cauliflower" shape, dark skies and distant rumbles of thunder or flashes of lightning. Do not wait for lightning to strike nearby before taking cover.

Seek Shelter

• Look for a large, enclosed building when a thunder or lightning storm threatens. That's the best choice.
• If you are in a car and it has a hard top, stay inside and keep the windows rolled up.
• Avoid small sheds and lean-tos or partial shelters, like pavilions.
• Stay at least a few feet away from open windows, sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, electric boxes and outlets, and appliances. Lightning can flow through these symptoms and "jump" to a person.
• Do not shower or take a bath during a thunder or lightning storm
• Avoid using regular telephones, except in an emergency. If lightning hits the telephone lines, it could flow to the phone. Cell or cordless phones, not connected to the building's wiring, are safe to use.

If you are caught outside: (If you are unable to reach a safe building or car, knowing what to do can save your life.)

• If your skin tingles or your hair stands on the end, a lightning strike may be about to happen. Crouch down on the balls of your feet with your feet close together. Keep your hands on your knees and lower your head. Get as low as possible without touching your hands or knees to the ground. DO NOT LIE DOWN!
• If you are swimming, fishing or boating and there are clouds, dark skies and distant rumbles of thunder or flashes of lightning, get to land immediately and seek shelter.
• If you are in a boat and cannot get to shore, crouch down in the middle of the boat. Go below if possible.
• If you are on land, find a low spot away from trees, metal fences, pipes, tall or long objects.
• If you are in the woods, look for an area of shorter trees. Crouch down away from tree trunks.

Helping someone who is struck by lightning

When someone is struck by lightning, get emergency medical help as soon as possible. If more than one person is struck by lightning, treat those who are unconscious first. They are at greatest risk of dying. A person struck by lightning may appear dead, with no pulse or breath. Often the person can be revived with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). There is no danger to anyone helping a person who has been struck by lightning - no electric charge remains. CPR should be attempted immediately.

Treat those who are injured but conscious next. Common injuries from being struck by lightning are burns, wounds and fractures. (From http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/weather/lightning/)

Lightning Strikes in One Shot

Lightning Show at the Grand Canyon

Links:

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/

http://www.lightningsafety.com/

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Thunderstorms and Lighting

All thunderstorms produce lightning and are dangerous. If you can see lightning you are close enough to be struck. Lightning can occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall and is responsible for killing more people than tornadoes each year. Other dangers associated with thunderstorms include flash flooding, strong winds (i.e. straight-line winds), hail, wildfires, and tornadoes.

Then a thunderstorm is in your area:

• Stay away from glass doors and windows.
• Move to a basement or interior room in the house.
• Keep outdoor objects secure that could become projectiles, such as lawn chairs, trash cans and toys.
• Close window blinds, shades or curtains to buffer any glass breakage or flying debris.
• Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio, or local radio and TV broadcasts for storm updates.
• Assemble a family preparedness kit and create your emergency plan that designates a place for your family to meet both in and outside your immediate neighborhood should you become separated.
• For more information about Thunderstorms & Lightning, http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/primer/tstorm/tst_basics.html

Facts About Thunderstorms

• They may occur singly, in clusters, or in lines.
• Some of the most severe occur when a single thunderstorm affects one location for an extended time.
• Thunderstorms typically produce heavy rain for a brief period, anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
• Warm, humid conditions are highly favorable for thunderstorm development.
• About 10 percent of thunderstorms are classified as severe—one that produces hail at least three-quarters of an inch in diameter, has winds of 58 miles per hour or higher, or produces a tornado.

Facts About Lightning

• Lightning’s unpredictability increases the risk to individuals and property.
• Lightning often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall.
• "Heat lightning" is actually lightning from a thunderstorm too far away for thunder to be heard. However, the storm may be moving in your direction!
• Most lightning deaths and injuries occur when people are caught outdoors in the summer months during the afternoon and evening.
• Your chances of being struck by lightning are estimated to be 1 in 600,000, but could be reduced even further by following safety precautions.
• Lightning strike victims carry no electrical charge and should be attended to immediately.

Mother Nature's Light Show