It has often been said that lightning is the “underrated killer”, and for good reason. Tornadoes, hurricanes, and tsunamis get the “big” press because they are very dramatic and can often produce incredible loss of life and property damage. Lightning deaths usually occur one at a time, and rarely attract major headlines.
One person died yesterday from a lightning strike in Santa Rosa County, Florida at Navarre Beach, between Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola. The 64 year old man was riding out a thunderstorm on the beach when he was killed. He was with an 11 year old boy, who was not seriously injured. Unfortunately, that is probably not the last time we will hear about death by lightning since most fatalities happen in the summer months when storms are more active.
Here are some commom misconceptions on the subject from the Lightning Safety Institute: LIGHTNING NEVER STRIKES TWICE (it hits the Empire State Building about 25 times a year.) RUBBER TIRES WILL INSULATE ME FROM LIGHTNING (it has traveled miles through space…a few inches of rubber mean nothing at all.) LIGHTNING CAN BE PREVENTED (unconfirmed/sheer advertising.) FIRST STRIKES FROM LIGHTNING CAN BE PREDICTED (unconfirmed/sheer advertising.) NEW HIGH-TECH TYPES OF LIGHTNING RODS CAN CONTROL LIGHTNING (unconfirmed/sheer advertising.)
So how to achieve lightning safety? It is a personal decision. Your decision. At the first sign of lightning or thunder, seek shelter. Good shelters are substantial buildings or fully enclosed metal vehicles. We suggest you remain in shelter for 30 minutes after the last observed thunder or lightning. "If you can hear it, clear it. If you can see it, flee it."
One person died yesterday from a lightning strike in Santa Rosa County, Florida at Navarre Beach, between Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola. The 64 year old man was riding out a thunderstorm on the beach when he was killed. He was with an 11 year old boy, who was not seriously injured. Unfortunately, that is probably not the last time we will hear about death by lightning since most fatalities happen in the summer months when storms are more active.
Here are some commom misconceptions on the subject from the Lightning Safety Institute: LIGHTNING NEVER STRIKES TWICE (it hits the Empire State Building about 25 times a year.) RUBBER TIRES WILL INSULATE ME FROM LIGHTNING (it has traveled miles through space…a few inches of rubber mean nothing at all.) LIGHTNING CAN BE PREVENTED (unconfirmed/sheer advertising.) FIRST STRIKES FROM LIGHTNING CAN BE PREDICTED (unconfirmed/sheer advertising.) NEW HIGH-TECH TYPES OF LIGHTNING RODS CAN CONTROL LIGHTNING (unconfirmed/sheer advertising.)
So how to achieve lightning safety? It is a personal decision. Your decision. At the first sign of lightning or thunder, seek shelter. Good shelters are substantial buildings or fully enclosed metal vehicles. We suggest you remain in shelter for 30 minutes after the last observed thunder or lightning. "If you can hear it, clear it. If you can see it, flee it."