National Lightning Safety Awareness Week 24-30 June 2007
Release Date: June 25, 2007
Release Number: R10-07-012
SEATTLE, Wash. -- In the United States, an average of 66 people are killed each year by lightning strikes, and the Fourth of July is one of the most deadly times of the year for lightning. National Lightning Safety Awareness Week, observed the last full week of June, not only helps get safety messages out in time for the Fourth of July, but also signals summer as lightning season. Outside is the most dangerous place to be during a lightning or thunderstorm and more people are outside during the summer. According to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Regional Administrator Susan Reinertson, lightning strikes and high winds associated with thunderstorms also increase flood and wildfire risks.
“Summer is also wildfire season in the Pacific Northwest, and seasonal thunderstorms are a mixed blessing,” said Reinertson. “Lightning can strike as far as ten miles away from any rainfall, creating hotspots that smolder for days, to erupt when conditions are right. Those of us who live in urban interface areas, wooded lots, or near heavily-grassed and dry rangeland should create fire-safe perimeters, and update family disaster plans.”
Lightning accounts for more average deaths per year than tornados. “The safest location during lightning activity is a large enclosed building, not a picnic shelter or shed,” said Reinertson. “The second safest location is an enclosed metal vehicle, car, truck, van, etc., but not a convertible, bike or other topless or soft top vehicle. If caught outdoors, and no shelter is nearby, stay away from tall trees. If there is no shelter, crouch in the open, keeping twice as far away from a tree as it is tall.”
In the United States, there are an estimated 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes each year. Although the average deaths attributed to lightning strikes exceed those attributed to tornadoes, 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.
FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Monday, 25-Jun-2007 17:45:39