| Lightning causes around 100 deaths in the U.S.
annually (more than hurricanes and tornadoes combined).
Nationally, lightning ranks second only to flash floods in
weather-related deaths. Lightning is the most frequent important
weather threat to personal safety during the thunderstorm season.
Lightning is the MOST UNDERRATED weather hazard.
New Mexico leads the nation in annual rates of lightning
fatalities and injuries. Why? The main reason is that
people stay outside too long as thunderstorms approach or form
nearby. During the early part of the thunderstorm season,
for example May and June, "dry" thunderstorms are
quite common. With these types of thunderstorms,
little or no precipitation reaches the ground and, as a result,
people are less likely to seek shelter.
Studies have shown most people struck by lightning are struck
not at the height of a thunderstorm, but before and after the
storm has peaked. This shows many people are unaware of how far
lightning can strike from its parent thunderstorm. DO NOT wait for
the rain to start before seeking shelter, and do not leave shelter
just because the rain has ended.
Did you know?
- The air near a lightning strike is heated to 50000 degrees
F, that is hotter than the surface of the sun!
- The average flash could light a 100-watt light bulb for more
than 3 months.
- Lightning occurs with all thunderstorms.
It's not raining, is there still danger from being
struck by lightning? YES! Lightning often strikes outside
of the heavy rain area and may occur as far as 10 miles away from
any rainfall.
Will the rubber soles of my shoes or tires on my car
protect me from being struck? NO! However, the steel
frame of a hard-topped car provides increased protection if you
are not touching metal. Although you may be injured if lightning
strikes your car, you are much safer inside the car than outside.
To roughly estimate the distance in miles between you and the
lightning flash, count the seconds between the lightning and the
thunder and divide by 5.
When skies darken or thunderstorms are forecast look and listen
for increasing wind, flashes of lightning, sound of thunder, and
static on your am radio. While no place is 100% safe from
lightning, some places are much safer than others.
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The
30/30 rule
The 30/30 Rule states that people should seek shelter if the
"Flash-To-Bang" delay (length of time in seconds
between a lightning flash and its subsequent thunder), is 30
seconds or less, and that they remain under cover until 30
minutes after the final clap of thunder. |
- Do Not Lie Flat
- Squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet,
place your hands on your knees with your head between
them. Make yourself the smallest target possible and
minimize your contact with the ground. DO NOT LIE FLAT.
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If you
hear thunder then lightning is near
1. Get inside a house, large shelter or an all-metal vehicle
(not a convertible). 2. only use the telephone in an
emergency. 3. remain clear of tall, isolated trees and
telephone poles. 4. Stay away from wire fences, clotheslines
or metal pipes and rails. 5. if you are caught outside, away
from shelter, and you feel your hair stand on end, squat
down, tuck your head as low as you can, and cover your ears. |
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What you can do...
- Watch for signs of an approaching thunderstorm
- Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are
imminent. This is your best way to avoid being caught in a
dangerous situation
- REMEMBER if you can hear thunder, you are close enough
to a storm to be struck by lightning
- If you feel your hair standing on
end, immediately squat down with your head between your
knees, do not lie flat!
- If possible, move to a sturdy building or hard top
automobile
- If safe shelter is not available, find a low spot away
from trees, fences, and poles
- Squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet, place
your hands on your knees with your head between them
- Make yourself the smallest target possible and minimize
your contact with the ground. DO NOT LIE FLAT.
- If boating or swimming, get out of boats and away from
the water, get to land and find shelter immediately
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weather.gov 
