Priorities poll: getting the shot vs. lightning risk

[Zach Young]

I'd like to see those "reports" -- it's one thing to claim that she "reportedly" has these powers used by police, it's yet another to verify such reports. ;>

You can take your skepticism elsewhere! This gives me hope that I might one day have superpowers! I won't let you dash my dreams

As far as proximity to lightning is concerned, I feel comfortable as long as I've got a little distance on the core of the barrage. I try not to leave myself too exposed for too long though. You can dodge a tornado, but you can't dodge lightning!

 

[Damon Scott Hynes]

I try to use my best judgment as to when to move back inside of a vehicle, which varies by situation, though I think we have to understand that the nature of chasing outside of a vehicle in adverse weather conditions inherently carries some sort of a risk, because people have been struck by lightning at distances over 10 miles away from a thunderstorm.

Yep, there nothing that says you'll get a 'warning shot', either

 

[Jason Foster]

Maybe the same social scientists who designed Leon the Lightning lion as the spokesanimal?
--
http://www.weather.gov/os/lightning/posters/LeonPoolPoster.png

Is anyone kinda creep out by the fact Leon the Lightning Lion looks like he's grabbing his crouch....

I doubt any serious thought was placed into that poster - it mentions staying off phones and I've yet to hear of someone injured because lightning hit their cellphone while they were talking on it.

No cell phones silly.....landlines

 

[Bob Hartig]

You can take your skepticism elsewhere! This gives me hope that I might one day have superpowers! I won't let you dash my dreams

I think you have to be handling radioactive material or standing next to a nuclear reactor or something when the lightning strikes.

 

[J Tyler]

So, 58 people a year are killed by lightning in the US? Hmmmmm, lets spend a little time on Google.

In 2004, 450 people were killed by falling out of bed in the US.
In 2003, 791 people were killed by faulty toasters, but this may be worldwide.
In 2007, 150 people were killed by falling coconuts, but again, worldwide.

Yet I'll admit, lightning makes me nervous. Coconuts and toasters don't!

 

[David Drummond]

So, 58 people a year are killed by lightning in the US? Hmmmmm, lets spend a little time on Google.

In 2004, 450 people were killed by falling out of bed in the US.
In 2003, 791 people were killed by faulty toasters, but this may be worldwide.
In 2007, 150 people were killed by falling coconuts, but again, worldwide.

....and none of them have been storm chasers.

 

[Brandon Jenkins]

I doubt any serious thought was placed into that poster - it mentions staying off phones and I've yet to hear of someone injured because lightning hit their cellphone while they were talking on it.

To be fair, this is in reference to land line phones, not cell phones. If the wiring in your house is not properly grounded (fat chance), older style analog phones can give you a good jolt if your house takes a direct strike. I can't imagine cell phones pose any heightened risk and any strike suffered by someone on a cell phone is purely coincidental.

 

[Jason Foster]

So, 58 people a year are killed by lightning in the US? Hmmmmm, lets spend a little time on Google.

In 2004, 450 people were killed by falling out of bed in the US.
In 2003, 791 people were killed by faulty toasters, but this may be worldwide.
In 2007, 150 people were killed by falling coconuts, but again, worldwide.

Yet I'll admit, lightning makes me nervous. Coconuts and toasters don't!

Well...I may not shy away from lightning....but I will make sure I won't take pictures of lightning from my bed that sits under a coconut tree while I'm making toasting some English muffins

 

[Dean Baron]

If a storm is throwing out a lot of CG's I'll set up my video camera on the tripod quick and get back in the car and get back out every so often for a minute or two to take stills.

 

[rdale]

To be fair, this is in reference to land line phones, not cell phones.

I understand that... What I'm saying is that very few 8 year olds have any idea what a landline phone looks like. Whoever developed that poster didn't run that past a 3rd grade teacher first.

 

[Stephen Levine]

Lightning is so unpredictable.. there was one time that a lightning bolt struck behind me when I was watching a storm about 20 miles away. When lightning starts to get close, or my intuition dictates, I get in my car to photograph. Also, when lightning flashes overhead, with no C-G present and no prev. C-G during the storm, I will usually seek shelter as well.
I took many more risks when in my 20's than now.. and when I ran Tornado Alley Safari tours, I was very safety conscious and asked my clients to step back inside our vehicle when approaching C-G's came to within about 2 miles of us.
It was and still is a much more tricky call with anvil or "spider" lightning that rarely but can drop a C-G.

 

[Gerrit Gulden]

I typically will shoot the storm till precip moves in and then I retreat cause I care too much about my camera. That rule has actually helped me avoid being struck at least twice now.

It was in June I think when I was shooting a storm and I could hear the roar of rain moving towards me. I grabbed my tripod with camera attached and hurried inside my house and before I could close the door there was an explosive thunder and extremely bright flash. Im thankful Ive always had this rule. Its happened several times.

I just know that I want that really close shot and the reality is you or your camera has to risk getting struck to win. Having a few rules is wise. The day I get a weather proof cover for my nikon d40 will be the day that Im not under the storm and counting my blessings or praying, lol.

The excitement and adrenaline is like no other. Im a lightning junkie, just cant ever get enough.

 

[Bill Hark]

Lightning definitely scares me. I usually try and film from inside the car if possible especially if I hear thunder or getting the those first few rain drops. To reduce risk, I'll some times set up the tripod and wait inside the vehicle. Of course, a nice tornado will lure me outside as long as I'm not getting pelted by rain or hail.

Bill Hark

 

[Rob Herman]

I hope they brought social scientists into the process, it seems way too simple to tell people "If you hear thunder, you can get struck." It could work for kids, but very few adults are going to rush for cover with every rumble.

Especially if you work outdoors and employer wants you to get the job done.

 

[Rob H]

Especially if you work outdoors and employer wants you to get the job done.

We had a roofer in the Twin Cities get hit by lightning a year or two, if I recall correctly.

I try to shoot from the car as much as possible - no snakes, less chance with lightning, no rain. If there's not really any lightning going on, I'll stand outside and enjoy the storm, but I always make sure I'm not anywhere near the tallest object in the area.