Lightning—The Underrated Killer

In the United States, there are an estimated 25 million lightning flashes each year. During the past 30
years, lightning killed an average of 58 people per year. This is higher than 57 deaths per year caused by
tornadoes and average 48 deaths to hurricanes. Yet because lightning usually claims only one or two
victims at a time and does not cause mass destruction of property, it is underrated as a risk. While
documented lightning injuries in the United States average about 300 per year, undocumented injuries
are likely much higher.

 Watch for Developing Thunderstorms: Thunderstorms are most likely to develop on spring or
summer days but can occur year round. As the sun heats the air, pockets of warmer air start to
rise and cumulus clouds form. Continued heating can cause these clouds to grow vertically into
towering cumulus clouds, often the first sign of a developing thunderstorm.

 When to Seek Safe Shelter: Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from the area where it is
raining. That's about the distance you can hear thunder. If you can hear thunder, you are within
striking distance. Seek safe shelter immediately.

 Outdoor Activities: Minimize the risk of being struck. Most lightning deaths and injuries occur in
the summer. Where organized outdoor sports activities take place, coaches, camp counselors
and other adults must stop activities at the first roar of thunder to ensure everyone has time to
get to a large building or enclosed vehicle. Leaders of outdoors events should have a written plan
that all staff are aware of and enforce.

 Indoor Activities: Inside buildings, stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical
equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity. Stay away from pools (indoor or
outdoor), tubs, showers and other plumbing. Buy surge suppressors for key equipment. Install
ground fault protectors on circuits near water or outdoors. When inside, wait 30 minutes after
the last clap of thunder, before going outside again.

 Helping a Lightning Strike Victim: Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge, are safe to
touch, and need urgent medical attention. Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death for
those who die. Some deaths can be prevented if the victim receives the proper first aid
immediately. Call 9-1-1 immediately and perform CPR if the person is unresponsive or not
breathing. Use an Automatic External Defibrillator if one is available.

 Summary: Lightning is dangerous. With common sense, you can greatly increase your safety and
the safety of those you are with. At the first clap of thunder, go to a large building or fully
enclosed vehicle and wait 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before you to go back
outside.

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

Source: http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/overview.htm

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Lightning Risk Reduction Outdoors

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

The lightning safety community reminds you that there is little you can do to substantially reduce your
risk if you are outside in a thunderstorm. The only completely safe action is to get inside a safe building
or vehicle.

This page has two main sections: Lightning risk reduction outdoors when a safe location is nearby, and
when a safe location is NOT nearby.

Safe and Unsafe Buildings

A safe building is one that is fully enclosed with a roof, walls and floor, and has plumbing or wiring.
Examples of safe buildings include a home, school, church, hotel, office building or shopping center.
Once inside, you should take some basic precautions.

If lightning should directly strike a building with electricity and/or plumbing, the dangerous electrical
current from the flash will typically travel through the wiring and/or plumbing, and then into the ground.
This is why you should stay away from showers, sinks, hot tubs, and electronic equipment such as TVs,
radios, corded telephones and computers.

Lightning can damage or destroy electronics so it's important to have a proper lightning protection
system connected to your electronic equipment. The American Meteorological Society has tips for
protecting your electronics from lightning.

Unsafe building include car ports, open garages, covered patios, picnic shelters, beach pavilions, golf
shelters, tents of any kinds, baseball dugouts, sheds and greenhouses.

Safe and Unsafe Vehicles

A safe vehicle is any fully enclosed metal topped vehicle such as a hard topped car, minivan, bus, truck,
etc. If you drive into a thunderstorm, slow down and use extra caution. If possible, pull off the road into
a safe area, Do NOT leave the vehicle during a thunderstorm.

Unsafe vehicle include convertibles, golf carts, riding mowers, open cab construction equipment and
boats without cabins.

While inside a safe vehicle, do not use electronic devices such as radio communications during a
thunderstorm. Lightning striking the vehicle, especially the antenna(s), could cause serious injury if you
are talking on the radio or holding the microphone at the time of the flash. Emergency officials such as
police officers, firefighters and security officers should be extremely cautious using radio equipment
when lightning is in the area.

Bolts from the Blue

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There are times when a lightning flash can travel horizontally many miles away from the thunderstorm
and then strike the ground. These types of lightning flashes are called "Bolts from the Blue" because they
seem to come out of a clear blue sky. While blue sky may exist overhead (or in part of the sky overhead)
a thunderstorm is always located 5 to 10 miles (and sometimes even farther) away. Although these
flashes are rare, they have been known to cause fatalities.

Lightning Risk Reduction When a Safe Location is Nearby

Run to a safe building or vehicle when you first hear thunder, see lightning, or observe dark threatening
clouds developing overhead. Stay inside until 30 minutes after you last hear the last clap of thunder.

Figure 1: When you see lightning or hear thunder, run to the nearest safe building or vehicle. Do not
shelter under trees. You are not safe anywhere outside.

Plan Ahead! Your best source of up-to-date weather information is a NOAA Weather Radio (NWR).
Portable weather radios are handy for outdoor activities. If you don't have NWR, stay up to date via
internet, TV, local radio or cell phone. If you are in a group, make sure all leaders or members of the
group have a lightning safety plan and are ready to use it.

If you are part of a group, particularly a large one, you will likely need more time to get all group
members to safety. NWS recommends having proven professional lightning detection equipment so your
group can be alerted from significant distances from the event site.

Below are a few common outdoor scenarios with suggestions on how to safely respond to the lightning
threat.

Coach of Outdoor Sports Team

You are the coach of a little league team and have a game this evening at the local recreational park. The
weather forecast for the day calls for partly cloudy skies, with a chance of thunderstorms by early

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evening. You arrive in your vehicle while the kids arrive with their parents. Once arriving at the park, you
notice the only buildings are the restrooms (an enclosed building with plumbing and electricity). Shortly
after sunset, the skies start to cloud up and you see bright flashes in the sky to the west.

In this case, the safest locations are the vehicles the kids came in or the restrooms. You have a choice of
allowing the kids to go back to their vehicles or going to the restrooms. It is important NOT to stay in the
dugouts as they are not a safe place to be under during lightning activity. Once at a safe place, wait 30
minutes after the last rumble of thunder before going back and resuming play.

Family at the Beach/Lake

You plan to go to the beach or lake later this morning with the kids. The weather forecast calls for a nice
morning followed by a 30 percent chance of afternoon thunderstorms. You decide to head for the beach
in your minivan. The beach is about 5 minutes from the parking lot. Once arriving at the beach, you
notice the only nearby buildings are open sided picnic shelters with no obvious substantial wiring or
plumbing. By early afternoon you notice the skies darkening and hear distant thunder. What should you
and the kids do?

In this case, go to your car. Do NOT seek shelter under the beach picnic shelters. Wait 30 minutes until
after the last rumble of thunder going back to the beach.

Camping

As you and your spouse are preparing dinner on the camp stove, you hear rumbles of thunder in the
distance. You look around and you see your tent is nearby, and a large open sided picnic shelter with no
obvious substantial wiring or plumbing is just down the trail. Your vehicle is about ¼ of a mile away
parked at the trail head. What should you and your family do?

Round up your family and go to your vehicle. The tent and picnic shelter are NOT a safe places. It is best
to remain in your vehicle for 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder is heard.

Click here to read a story of a person killed while seeking shelter in a tent.

Section 2: Lightning Risk Reduction Outdoors When a Safe Location Is Not Nearby

The lightning safety community reminds you that there is NO safe place to be outside in a
thunderstorm. If you absolutely can't get to safety, this section is designed to help you slightly lessen
the threat of being struck by lightning while outside. Don't kid yourself--you are NOT safe outside.

Being stranded outdoors when lightning is striking nearby is a harrowing experience. Your first and only
truly safe choice is to get to a safe building or a safe vehicle. If you are camping, climbing, on a
motorcycle or bicycle, boating, scuba diving, or enjoying other outdoor activities and cannot get to a safe
vehicle or building, follow these last resort tips. Following these tips will not prevent you from being
struck by lightning, but may slightly lessen the odds.

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Know the weather patterns of the area. For example, in mountainous areas, thunderstorms typically
develop in the early afternoon, so plan to hike early in the day and be down the mountain by noon.
Listen to the weather forecast for the area that you will be visiting. The forecast for where you are
visiting may be very different from the one near your home. If there is a high chance of thunderstorms
for where you will be outside, stay home.

These actions may slightly reduce your risk of being struck by lightning:

 If camping, hiking, etc., far from a safe vehicle or building, avoid open fields, the top of a hill or a
ridge top. Keep your site away from tall, isolated trees or other tall objects. If you are in a forest,
stay near a lower stand of trees. If you are camping in an open area, set up camp in a valley,
ravine or other low area. Remember, a tent offers NO protection from lighting. If you are
camping and your vehicle is nearby, run to it before the storm arrives.

 Stay away from water, wet items such as ropes and metal objects, such as fences and poles.
Water and metal are excellent conductors of electricity. The current from a lightning flash will
easily travel for long distances (See Figure 2 below).

Figure 2: Dead cows lined up along a metallic fence. Lightning struck the fence, and the electrical current
traveled along the fence killing the cows. Photo Courtesy Ruth Lyon-Bateman

Motorcyclist/Bicyclist

People have been hit by lightning while riding motorcycles and bikes. Here are just a few examples:

 Virginia Beach, VA: Motorcyclist killed while traveling on Route 58.

 Colorado: a 16 year old boy killed while riding a bicycle.

 Tennessee: a 47 year old man killed while leaning against his motorcycle.

 Virginia: a man killed riding his motorcycle.

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Protect Yourself when on a bicycle, motorcycle or dirt bike. Carry a portable Weather Radio or listen to
commercial radio. If you see threatening skies in the distance and you are near a safe building, pull over
and wait 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder before resuming your ride.

On the Water

The vast majority of lightning injuries and deaths on boats occur on small boats with NO cabin. It is
crucial to listen to the weather on a boat. If thunderstorms are forecast, don't go out. If you are out on
the water and skies are threatening, get back to land and find a safe building or safe vehicle.

Boats with cabins offer a safer but not perfect environment. Safety is increased further if the boat has a
properly installed lightning protection system. If you are inside the cabin, stay away from metal and all
electrical components. STAY OFF THE RADIO UNLESS IT IS AN EMERGENCY!

If you are caught in a thunderstorm on a small boat, drop anchor and get as low as possible.
Large boats with cabins, especially those with lightning protection systems properly installed, or metal
marine vessels are relatively safe. Remember to stay inside the cabin and away from any metal surfaces.

Scuba Divers

Your first choice is to head in and get in safe building or safe vehicle. If the boat you are in does not have
a safe cabin to be in during lightning activity, then you are safer diving deep into the water for the
duration of the storm or as long as possible.

So why are enclosed buildings with substantial wiring and plumbing safe to be in when lightning is
occurring outside?

If lightning should directly strike a building with electricity or plumbing, the dangerous electrical current
from the flash will typically travel through the wiring or plumbing, and then into the ground. This is why
you should stay away from showers, sinks, hot tubs, and electronic equipment you are directly
connected to such as corded telephones and computers.

Lightning can damage or destroy electronics so it's important to have a proper lightning protection
system connected to your electronic equipment. The American Meteorological Society has tips for
protecting your electronics from lightning.

Source: http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/outdoors.htm

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Lightning Safety Tips
LIGHTNING KILLS MORE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY THAN TORNADOES, FLOODS OR HURRICANES.
THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY IS GREATEST DURING JULY AND AUGUST.

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.

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  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.

Source: http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/emergency/weather/lightning/