South Florida Weather

Lightning Safety Awareness Week June 24-30 2007

Posted by: DaAntiCyclone, 9:39 PM GMT on June 22, 2007

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Miami FL
245 pm EDT Fri Jun 22 2007

...National Lightning Safety Awareness Week June 24-30 2007...
...when thunder roars, go indoors...

The week of June 24-30 has been designated by NOAA`s National Weather Service as lightning awareness week. Floridians are well aware of the dangers posed by lightning, as Florida leads the nation in lightning strikes as well as deaths caused by lightning.

In 2006, a total of 2 people lost their lives in south Florida alone as a result of lightning strikes, with seven additional injuries reported. So far in 2007, 2 people have died and 2 have been injured as a result of lightning, including one death on June 21st.

Unfortunately, lightning deaths and injuries occur in south Florida on a yearly basis. To date since 1959, 89 people have been killed by lightning in the three-county area of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. This is the greatest total number of lightning deaths of any three contiguous counties in the United States. The long term yearly averages for lightning casualties in the south Florida mainland are two deaths and nine injuries.

Historically speaking, the month of July is the deadliest month for lightning strikes in south Florida, with June and August running a close second and third, respectively. This is likely due to the combination of south Florida`s nearly daily summer thunderstorms and the plethora of outdoor activities held during the time in which children are out of school. Nevertheless, lightning is a threat year-round in south Florida, and every month except January has seen a lightning casualty. Statistics also show that persons 10 to 19 years or age are the most likely to be killed by lightning in Florida, with those in their 30s the second most likely group.

Perhaps the greatest lightning myth is that if it is not raining, lightning won`t strike. lightning has been known to strike up to 10 miles or more away from the main thunderstorm core, and frequently strikes within 5 miles of the thunderstorm core. These types of lightning stikes are often referred to as bolts from the blue, but actually originate from the sides of a nearby thunderstorm cloud and extend out horizontally from the cloud for a few miles before reaching the ground. Although many people believe this type of lightning is rare, it occurs in virtually every thunderstorm. The key to remaining safe from this type of lightning strike is to keep an eye to the sky and watch for darkening skies on the horizon, as well as listening for distant rumbles of thunder. Don`t just look overhead for signs of an approaching storm!

Some locations are more dangerous than others. The greatest number of people in Florida are struck while near a body of water. This includes people at the beach, near lakes and canals, on fishing piers and in small boats. Another vulnerable location is an open area, with a few trees around such as a ball field, playground, golf course or parking lot.

Although the National Weather Service does not issue specific lightning warnings, products such as the hazardous weather outlook, and the surf forecast describe the daily lightning danger in south Florida on a four tiered scale from none to slight to moderate to high. However, any thunderstorm can produce a lightning flash which can kill you and those nearby. Products such as short term forecasts, special weather statements and severe thunderstorm warnings also give information on potentially deadly lightning in your area. These products can be found on the Miami National Weather Service website at www.weather.gov/miami or through NOAA all-hazards radio.

Here are some important lightning safety tips:

- Follow the 30/30 rule. When you see lightning, count the time until you hear thunder. If that time is 30 seconds or less, the thunderstorm is close enough to be dangerous. Seek shelter indoors immediately. Wait at least 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder before leaving shelter. Do not be fooled by sunshine or clearing skies.

- Lightning safety rules include, if you`re outside, get inside a building or an all metal vehicle. Convertibles are not safe.

- Avoid leaning against vehicles. Get off bicycles and motorcycles.

- Get completely out of the water, off the beach and out of small boats and canoes. If caught in a boat, crouch down in the center of the boat away from metal hardware. Avoid standing in puddles of water. Rubber boots offer little protection. Swimming, wading, snorkeling and scuba diving are not safe activities during
thunderstorms.

- When there is absolutely no shelter, a measure of last resort is to crouch down, keeping twice as far away from isolated trees as the trees are high. There is no safe place outdoors!

- Avoid other high areas, open spaces, wire fences, metal clothes lines, exposed sheds and any electrically conductive elevated objects.

- Do not work on fences, utility lines, pipelines, steel fabrications, antennae or on roof tops or other high places.

- Stop tractor work and heavy construction equipment, especially when pulling metal equipment, and dismount. Do not seek shelter under the equipment.

- At construction sites, move to a location beneath a solid roof. avoid openings such as windows or doors.

- Don`t be under a carport or in a screened porch or in an open garage.

When indoors, stay away from open doors and windows, stoves, metal pipes, sinks and plugged in electrical devices. Stay out of the shower or bathtub and off the toilet. Do not use a corded telephone or computer. Unplug major appliances such as televisions and air conditioners. Lightning can enter the house through electrical, telephone and plumbing connections.

Persons struck by lightning receive a severe electrical shock and may be burned, however they carry no electrical charge and can be attended to safely. A person apparently killed by lightning can often be revived by prompt cpr. Other persons who appear only stunned may also need medical attention. Do not let victims walk around. Give them first aid for shock.

For further information go to the following web site: www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov

Molleda

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