Summer is the peak season for one of our nation's deadliest weather phenomena – lightning. But don't be fooled, lightning strikes year round. Lightning kills an average of 58 Americans every year and severely injuries hundreds more, but this does not have to happen.
If people would seek safe shelter at the first sound of thunder, lightning’s early warning system, lives would be saved. Many people who are killed or hurt by lightning were seeking shelter, but they just waited too long. We need our residents to act when they hear thunder. To make this happen, Miami Township, in addition to the lightning warning systems installed in each park, is promoting the National Weather Service’s simple rule: When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors.
That means to stop the game, get out of the pool, get off the golf course, and go indoors!
Lightning is one of the oldest observed natural phenomena on earth. It is a gigantic electrostatic discharge (the same kind of electricity that can shock you when you touch a doorknob) between the cloud and the ground, other clouds, or within a cloud. Scientists do not yet understand exactly how it works or how it interacts with the upper atmosphere or the earth's electromagnetic field. So, what can you do to prevent becoming one of those injured or killed every year?
Watch for Developing Thunderstorms: Thunderstorms are most likely to develop on spring or summer days but can occur year round. As the sun heats the air, pockets of warmer air start to rise and cumulus clouds form. Continued heating can cause these clouds to grow vertically into towering cumulus clouds, often the first sign of a developing thunderstorm.
Seek Safe Shelter: Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from the area where it is raining. That's about the distance you can hear thunder. If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance. Seek safe shelter immediately.
Keep Safe Indoors: When you're inside buildings, stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity. Stay away from pools (indoor or outdoor), tubs, showers and other plumbing. Buy surge suppressors for key equipment. Install ground fault protectors on circuits near water or outdoors. When inside, wait 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder, before going outside again.
Reduce Outdoor Risks: Most lightning deaths and injuries occur in the summer. Where organized outdoor sports activities take place, coaches, camp counselors and other adults must stop activities at the first roar of thunder to ensure everyone has time to get to a large building or enclosed vehicle. Leaders of outdoors events should have a written plan that all staff are aware of and enforce.
Help a Lightning Strike Victim. Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge, are safe to touch, and need urgent medical attention. Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death for those who die. Some deaths can be prevented if the victim receives the proper first aid immediately. Call 9-1-1 immediately and perform CPR if the person is unresponsive or not breathing. Use an Automatic External Defibrillator if one is available.
Summary: Lightning is dangerous. With common sense, you can greatly increase your safety. At the first clap of thunder, go to a large building or fully enclosed vehicle and wait 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before you to go back outside.
When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!
For additional information on lightning and lightning safety visit these websites: