Summer Weather Safety Tips  |
Lightning Can Be Deadly --Learn How to Stay Safe
In 2000, lightning struck and injured a baseball player and spectator in Prince Edward County. It shocked three dispatchers through their headsets in Rockingham County and killed a 39-year old man in Virginia Beach while he was doing yard work under a tree. These are just a few of the reported injuries and fatalities that lightning caused across Virginia last year. Perhaps the most publicized lightning storm happened on August 27 as Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech were kicking off a football game in Blacksburg. Now known as "The Lightning Bowl," the thunderstorm generated 12 lightning strikes that hit within one mile of the center of Lane Stadium. Over the course of the storm, 124 strikes hit within five miles of the stadium. The game was canceled. Fortunately, lightning did not strike the stadium and there were no fatalities or serious injuries. “The storm at Virginia Tech clearly showed the power of lightning and its potential danger,” said Mike Emlaw, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Blacksburg. "Whether you are at a stadium with thousands of other people or cutting the grass in your backyard, you need to be inside a sturdy building or a vehicle when vow hear thunder or see lightning.” Now, before the summer months, is an excellent time to learn about lightning safety. Lightning can strike at any time, including just before the storm hits or after it leaves the area. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Because lightning tends to strike the tallest object, athletic fields are dangerous places during a thunderstorm. During thunderstorms, metal bleachers, fences, light poles, field goal posts or soccer goal posts are dangerous. When lightning hits these objects, the charge travels through the metal, shocking anyone in its path. Lightning can also "splash" or "ricochet" off these objects and strike nearby people. Before the storm: Check weather forecasts before going outdoors. Keep a watchful eye for signs of an approaching storm such as distant lightning and darkening, towering clouds. Make sure you have a NOM Weather Radio at your golf course, athletic field complex or any other outdoor venue. Consider buying one for your home.
Watch for environmental clues such as dark clouds and strong winds that may signal a severe thunderstorm. When you hear a warning, take appropriate action. When you hear thunder: Immediately move inside a building or vehicle for greater protection. Avoid picnic or rain shelters.
Once inside a building, close all windows and outside doors. Stay off the telephone and stay away from electrical outlets and metal pipes.
If you cannot get to a building, seek shelter in a vehicle with a metal roof. Close all windows and doors, and avoid touching any inside metal. If caught outdoors and you cannot get to a building: Find a low spot away from trees, fences and poles. If you are in the woods, take shelter under the shorter trees or low brush.
If you are on the water, move to land immediately and find a low spot.
If you feel your skin tingle or hair stand on end, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them. You want to make yourself the smallest possible target while minimizing your contact with the ground. When to resume outdoors play: Wait at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder before resuming outdoor play.
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