Striking lightning facts

May 10, 11:51 PM

With severe weather a common threat around here during spring and summer time, I thought it would be good to give some details about lightning that might be of interest for us in the Midwest. First of all, lightning is definitely underrated compared to other types of severe weather when it comes to injuries and deaths. The main reason why lightning can be underrated is because lighting injuries typically impact just one or two people at a time compared to the multiple injuries of tornadoes, hurricanes or floods. This article will give some interesting facts about lightning and also shed some light about what you can do indoors and outdoors during a thunderstorm to stay safe.

LIGHTNING FACTS:

- Lightning kills more people on an annual basis than tornadoes, hurricanes or winter storms.

- Lightning reaches 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, fours times as hot as the sun’s surface!

- Voltage in a cloud-to-ground strike is 100 million to 1 billion volts.

- The average lightning bolt could light a 100 watt light bulb for about 3 months.

- Annually, there are more than 10,000 forest fires caused by lightning.

- Many survivors of lightning strikes report that immediately before being struck their hair was standing on end and they had a metallic taste in their mouth.

- U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that lightning causes over 80 percent of all accidental livestock deaths.

OUTDOOR SAFETY RULES:

- When lightning approaches, get inside a completely enclosed building. Carports, open garages, storage sheds, metal sheds, and covered patios are not safe shelters.

- If no enclosed building is available, get inside a hard-topped vehicle and do not touch any metal surfaces.

- If you cannot reach shelter, avoid being the tallest object in the area. Do not take shelter under an isolated tree or the tallest trees in the area. If you are in the woods, find shelter under the shorter trees.

- If only isolated trees are nearby, seek the lowest part of the ground and crouch on the balls of your feet. A rule of thumb to follow is to stay twice as far away from a tree as it is tall. Do not lie on the ground and be alert for flash floods.

INDOOR SAFETY RULES:

- Avoid bathing during a lightning storm as the household plumbing and fixtures can carry a deadly current. Even washing your hands, doing the dishes, or the laundry can be risky as these tasks conduct electricity.

- Phone use is the leading cause of lightning injuries within the home. Cordless and cellular telephones are safe to use but not corded lines.

- Stay away from windows, doors, and patios. It is best to stay in an interior room.

- Unplug any unnecessary appliances to avoid power surges and possible damage to electronics.

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