It's National Lightning Safety Awareness Week

[Steve Miller]

This week is National Lightning Safety Awareness Week.

In the United States each year, there are between 20 and 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes. While lightning can be fascinating to watch, it is extremely dangerous. Based on data for the last 30 years (1984 to 2013), lightning has killed more than 1500 people in the United States, an average of 51 people per year based on documented cases. In addition, during this same period, lightning has injured an estimated 15,000 people, some left with life-long neurological damage.

In addition to the deaths and injuries, lightning causes considerable damage across the nation. Each year, lightning is the cause of about 25,000 fires, including about 4400 house fires, 1800 other structural fires, and numerous forest fires. Those fires are responsible for an additional estimated 12 deaths per year. All totaled, lightning causes nearly $1 billion in damages each year.

During the next several days, we'll provide additional information on lightning and lightning safety. We'll cover what you can do to protect yourself from this dangerous killer. Most importantly, we want you to remember that there is no safe place outside during a thunderstorm. WHEN THUNDER ROARS...GO INDOORS!

More about this week: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/?n=outreach_lightningday1

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

I think I'm doing it wrong...when thunder roars, I haul ass outdoors.

 

[NealRasmussen]

I for one would love if some Electrical Engineer type would make a cheap Field Mill. It doesn't have to tell me the kilovolts per meter, just "Safe", "Beware", and "HIDE!".

A Field Mill measures the electrical potential, as far as I know. I know in SoundChase it seemed to give a fair indication of the risk of sparks in the immediate area. Many of us would likely have to turn it off when near the Bear's Cage, and just stay in the car, but with those 'bolts from the blue' that can get out 10-15 miles from the cell, it may well help.

 

[joel ewing]

I for one would love if some Electrical Engineer type would make a cheap Field Mill. It doesn't have to tell me the kilovolts per meter, just "Safe", "Beware", and "HIDE!".

A Field Mill measures the electrical potential, as far as I know. I know in SoundChase it seemed to give a fair indication of the risk of sparks in the immediate area. Many of us would likely have to turn it off when near the Bear's Cage, and just stay in the car, but with those 'bolts from the blue' that can get out 10-15 miles from the cell, it may well help.

Something like what you're describing Neal, would be very much appreciated by a guy like me. I always tell anyhow who will listen....once lightning begins showing itself...that " I don't "DO" lightning." In other words, I want no part of it. I live in one of the most lightning-prone areas of the country...southern Arizona...which I understand is right behind Florida in lightning strikes. I should have been killed by lightning several times in my life. Peering thru a old cabin's metal-framed glass window at the severe storm going on around me on top of a tall hill at YMCA-camp in the sixties almost took my life when lightning hit the cabin and went up my arm and knocked me silly. I have had lightning hit within mere feet of my several times. Guess what it sounds like....lightning hitting the ground immediately next to you? Think it's real loud?? No. It sounds exactly like a Black-Cat firecracker...a single one....going off next to you. I also liken it to the snap of a thin Mexican bull-whip. Either way, it's the sound of death...and I want no part of it. Looking at it safely is magnificent..."bring it on" ..I say! But exposed outdoors to lightning....it makes a coward out of 'ol Joel in a hurry. Guess that's why I'm still here and able to write about it, perhaps.