Lightning
All thunderstorms produce lightning and are dangerous. In the United States, in an average year, lightning kills about the same number of people as tornadoes and more people than hurricanes.
Lightning often strikes outside the area of heavy rain and may strike as far as 10 miles from any rainfall. Many lightning deaths occur ahead of storms or after storms have seemingly passed.
If you can hear thunder, you are in danger. Don't be fooled by blue skies. If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to pose an immediate threat.
Lightning Preparedness:
- Have a lightning safety plan. Know where you'll go for safety and how much time it will take to get there. Make sure your plan allows enough time to reach safety.
- Before going outdoors, check the forecast for thunderstorms. Consider postponing activities to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation.
- Monitor the weather. Look for signs of a developing thunderstorm such as darkening skies, flashes of lightning or increasing wind.
If at home when a thunderstorm is approaching:
- Listen to a radio or television for latest weather information.
- Shutter windows securely and brace outside doors.
- Do not handle any electrical equipment or telephones because lightning could follow the wire. Television sets are particularly dangerous at this time. Cordless phones and cell phones are safe to use.
- Water pipes conduct electricity. Don't take a bath or shower or use other plumbing during a storm.
If outdoors when a thunderstorm is approaching:
- Get inside.
- Avoid tall structures such as towers, tall trees, fences, telephone lines, or power lines.
- Stay away from rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water.
- Stay away from potential lightning rods such as golf clubs, tractors, fishing rods, bicycles, or metal objects.
- Sheds, picnic shelters, tents or covered porches do NOT protect you from lightning. If a sturdy building is not nearby, get into a hard-topped metal vehicle and close all the windows. Stay inside until 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder.
If in a car when a thunderstorm is approaching:
- Pull safely onto the shoulder of the road away from any trees that could fall on the vehicle.
- Stay in the car and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rains subside.
- Avoid flooded roadways.
Many outdoor activities rely on volunteer leaders, coaches or sports officials to make safety decisions. Make sure the leaders of these activities follow a lightning safety plan. Don't be afraid to ask, and don't be afraid to speak out during an event if conditions become unsafe.
Page created and maintained by Vickie Hickman and Tift County CERT volunteers.
Last change: July 4, 2009
Copyright 2009, Vickie Hickman