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WHAT IS LIGHTNING?
Lightning is an electrical discharge that results from the buildup of positive and
negative charges within a thunderstorm. When the buildup becomes strong enough,
lightning appears as a "bolt." This flash of light usually occurs within the clouds or
between the clouds and the ground. A bolt of lightning reaches a temperature
approaching 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit in a split second. The rapid heating and
cooling of air near the lightning causes thunder.
Do not handle any electrical equipment or telephones because lightning could follow
the wire. Television sets are particularly dangerous at this time.
Avoid bathtubs, water faucets, and sinks because metal pipes can transmit electricity.
If outdoors:
Attempt to get into a building or car. If no structure is available, get to an open space
an squat low to the ground as quickly as possible. (If in the woods, find an area
protected by low clump of trees--never stand underneath a single large tree in the
open.) Be aware of the potential for flooding in low-lying areas.
crouch with hands on knees.
Avoid tall structures such as towers, tall trees, fences, telephone lines, or power lines.
Stay away from natural lightning rods such as golf clubs, tractors, fishing rods,
bicycles, or camping equipment.
Stay from rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water.
If you are isolated in a level field or prairie and you feel your hair stand on end (which
indicates that lightning is about to strike), bend forward, putting your hands on your
knees.
A position with feet together and crouching while removing all metal objects is
recommended. Do not lie flat on the ground.
Lightning is an electrical discharge that results from the buildup of positive and
negative charges within a thunderstorm. When the buildup becomes strong enough,
lightning appears as a "bolt." This flash of light usually occurs within the clouds or
between the clouds and the ground. A bolt of lightning reaches a temperature
approaching 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit in a split second. The rapid heating and
cooling of air near the lightning causes thunder.
Do not handle any electrical equipment or telephones because lightning could follow
the wire. Television sets are particularly dangerous at this time.
Avoid bathtubs, water faucets, and sinks because metal pipes can transmit electricity.
If outdoors:
Attempt to get into a building or car. If no structure is available, get to an open space
an squat low to the ground as quickly as possible. (If in the woods, find an area
protected by low clump of trees--never stand underneath a single large tree in the
open.) Be aware of the potential for flooding in low-lying areas.
crouch with hands on knees.
Avoid tall structures such as towers, tall trees, fences, telephone lines, or power lines.
Stay away from natural lightning rods such as golf clubs, tractors, fishing rods,
bicycles, or camping equipment.
Stay from rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water.
If you are isolated in a level field or prairie and you feel your hair stand on end (which
indicates that lightning is about to strike), bend forward, putting your hands on your
knees.
A position with feet together and crouching while removing all metal objects is
recommended. Do not lie flat on the ground.
| Lightning Safety & Facts |
| Lightning Safety |
While many people think they are aware of the dangers of lightning, the vast
majority are not. Lightning can strike as much as 10 miles away from the rain area
of a thunderstorm; that's about the distance that you are able to hear the thunder
from the storm. While virtually all people take some protective actions during the
most dangerous part of thunderstorms, many leave themselves vulnerable to
being struck by lightning as thunderstorms approach, depart, or are nearby.
Although some victims are struck directly by the lightning discharge, many victims
are struck as the current moves in and along the ground.
Where are people when lightning incidents occur? The chart below gives a
breakdown.
Gender of Victims: 84% Male, 16% Female
Months of Most Incidents: July 30%, August 22%, June 21%
Lighting Fatality Statistics -
Top 10 States: 1959-2001 Lightning Deaths and Injuries:
Top 10 States: 1959-2001
1. Florida: 404
2. Texas: 189
3. North Carolina: 176
4. Ohio: 134
5. New York: 132
6: Louisiana: 130
7. Tennessee: 130
8.Maryland: 122
9. Pennsylvania: 120
10. Colorado: 117 1. Florida: 1979
2. Michigan: 800
3. North Carolina: 771
4. Pennsylvania: 731
5. New York: 699
6. Ohio: 642
7. Texas: 637
8: Colorado: 546
9. Georgia: 544
10. Tennessee: 519
Missouri ranks 17th in deaths.
Missouri ranks 31st in injuries.
Lightning Safety
Outdoors
* Remember, lightning can strike up to 10 miles from the rain area. Go quickly
inside a completely enclosed building before the storm arrives. Do not go to a
carport, open garage, covered patio or open window. A hard topped all metal
vehicle also provide good protection
* If no shelter is available, do not take shelter under a tree. Avoid being the tallest
object in the area. If only isolated trees are nearby, crouch down on the balls of
your feet in the open, keeping twice as far away from a tree as it is tall.
* Get out of the water, off the beach, and out of small boats or canoes. Avoid
standing in puddles of water even if wearing rubber boots.
* Do not use metal objects such as golf clubs, metal bats, fishing rods, or metal
tools.
* Stop tractor work and heavy construction equipment, especially when pulling
metal equipment.
Indoors
* Stay there! The best protection from lightning is a house or other substantial
building. However, stay away from windows, doors, and metal pipes.
* Do not use electric appliances during the storm. Turn off sensitive equipment
such as televisions, VCR's, and computers.
* Telephone use is the leading cause of indoor lightning injuries in the United
States. Do not make a call unless it is an emergency.
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The above information is courtesy of NOAA's National Weather Service
St. Louis, MO Weather Forecast Office
12 Missouri Research Park Drive
St. Charles, MO 63304-5685
636-441-8467
Page Author: LSX Webmaster