THUNDERSTORMS AND LIGHTNING
Here are some of the
recent fatalities in
THUNDERSTORMS AND LIGHTNING
Here are some of the
recent fatalities in
§
On September 10,
2007 a homeless individual was struck by lightning in
§
On Labor Day
2006, a 13-year old boy died after he was struck by lightning while swimming in
a pond in Lehigh Acres.
§
On the morning of
April 8, 2005 in
§
On August 18,
2005, lightning from a fast moving thunderstorm killed two roofers in
Thunderstorms
can produce several types of hazardous weather including large hail, damaging
winds, flash floods, and tornados.
However, lightning is the number one cause of weather related fatalities
in
Where to Go!
The safest
location during a thunderstorm is inside a large enclosed structure with
plumbing and electrical wiring. These include shopping centers, schools, office
buildings, and private residences.
If lightning
strikes the building, the plumbing and wiring will conduct the electricity more
efficiently than a human body. If no buildings are available, then an enclosed
metal vehicle such as an automobile, van, or school bus makes a decent
alternative.
Where NOT to Go!
Not all
types of buildings or vehicles are safe during thunderstorms. Buildings are NOT
SAFE (even if they are "grounded") if they have exposed openings.
These include beach shacks, metal sheds, picnic shelters/pavilions, carports,
and baseball dugouts. Porches are dangerous as well.
Convertible
vehicles offer no safety from lightning, even if the top is "up".
Other vehicles which are NOT SAFE during lightning storms are those which have
open cabs, such as golf carts, tractors, and construction equipment. Remember, it is not the rubber tires of a
vehicle that protect you from lightning.
The metal shell of a vehicle gives the electricity from the lightning a
path to flow around you.
What to Do!
Once inside a
sturdy building, stay away from electrical appliances and plumbing fixtures.
You may want to
unplug valuable electrical equipment so they will not be damaged.
As an added safety measure, go to an interior room.
If you are inside
a vehicle, roll the windows up, and avoid contact with any conducting paths
leading to the outside of the vehicle such as radios, CB’s, and the ignition or
you could be badly burned if lightning strikes.
What NOT to Do
Lightning
can travel great distances through power lines, especially in rural areas. Do
not use electrical appliances, ESPECIALLY
corded telephones unless it is an emergency.
Cordless and cell phones are safe to use but stay away from the windows.
Computers
are also dangerous to use because they are usually connected to both phone and
electrical cords. Do not take a shower or use the bathtub.
on the open water
during a thunderstorm?
Thunderstorms over the coastal waters in
·
Stay in the
center of the cabin, if so designed. If there is no cabin, stay low in the
boat. Don’t be a stand-up lightning rod!
·
Keep arms and
legs in the boat. Don’t dangle them over the side.
·
Stop fishing,
water skiing, scuba diving, swimming or other water activities when there is
lightning or even when weather conditions look threatening. Lightning can
strike well ahead of a storm.
·
Disconnect and do
not use or touch the major electronic equipment, including the radio,
throughout the duration of the storm.
·
Lower, remove or
tie down the radio antenna and other protruding devices if they are not a part
of the lightning protection system.
·
To the degree
possible, avoid making contact with two components connected to the system at
the same time. For example, the gear levers and the spotlight may both be
connected to the system. If you have a hand on both when lightning strikes, the
path of the electric current could be directly through your heart—a very deadly
path!
·
At least one
person on board should be competent in CPR and first aid. Many individuals struck by lightning can be
saved with prompt first aid.
Lightning Trivia
While west
central and southwest