36th Annual Meeting of the National Weather Association Teacher Workshop (17 Oct 11)

36th Annual Meeting of the National Weather AssociationTeacher Workshop

(17 Oct 11)

Lightning Safety

Mr. William P. RoederPrivate Meteorologist

Lightning -- The Underrated Weather Hazard

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!Half An Hour Since Thunder Roars, Now Okay To Go Outdoors!


Courtesy National Lightning Safety Institute



When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!Half An Hour Since Thunder Roars, Now It’s Safe To Go Outdoors!Half An Hour Since Thunder Roars, Now It’s Safe To Go Outdoors!

Overview

• LIGHTNING -- SIGNIFICANT HAZARD!

• FLORIDA LIGHTNING THREAT

• LIGHTNING SAFETY PROCEDURES

Public EducationIs The Answer!




Lightning -- Significant Hazard

• LIGHTNING: The Underrated Weather Hazard!

• 2nd Leading Cause Of Storm Deaths In U.S. (~ 50 / Year)

• More Than Tornadoes! More Than Hurricanes!

• Only ~10% Of Those Struck Are Killed






• Inflicts Life-Long Debilitating Injuries On Many More

• Strikes ~500 / Year

• ~70% Require Extended Care

• Lightning Safety Receiving More Attention

• Still room for more public education






• $5 Billion Economic Impact Each Year In U.S.

• Airline ($2B)

• Insurance ($1B)• 1 Claim / 60 Flashes

• Power Industry ($1B)

• Residential Fires ($147M)

• Forest Fires ($20 M)

• Electronics ($?)




Florida Lightning Threat

Florida -- Thunderstorm Capital Of U.S.!

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!Half An Hour Since Thunder Roars, Now It’s Safe To Go Outdoors!


Vaisala, Inc.National LightningDetection Network

(1997-2010)




Central Florida Is “Lightning Alley”

Tampa To Titusville




National Lightning Detection Network(1997-2010)





Top States For Lightning Deaths And Injuries

1959-2008(Holle Meteorology & Photography, Holle)

LIGHTNING DEATHS

1. FLORIDA

2. TX

3. NC

4. OH

5. TN 6. CO (#2 1999-2008)

7. NY

8. LA

9. PA

10. MD

1959-2001(NWS/MLB, Bragaw)

LIGHTNING INJURIES

1. FLORIDA

2. MI

3. NC

4. PA

5. NY

6. OH

7. TX

8. CO

9. GA

10. TN



Lightning Is Leading Cause Of Weather Deaths In Florida





Lightning Safety Procedures

• Lightning Safety Personal Procedures





• Personal Procedures

• Three Slogans

• 5-Levels of Lightning Safety




SOAP

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!Half An Hour Since Thunder Roars, Now Its Safe To Go Outdoors!

















LEVEL-1:

• Schedule Outdoor Events To Avoid The Threat

• Use Local Forecasts

• Know Local Weather Patterns

• Kudos To NWS / Melbourne!

• Provide Lightning Information In Forecast / Warnings

• www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb• NOAA Weather Radio• Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook!

• National Leader!





LEVEL-2:

• Know When And Where To Go For Lightning Safety

• Watch For Approaching Or Locally Developing Storms

• When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

• Half An Hour Since Thunder Roars, Now It’s Safe To Go Outdoors!

• May Seem Too Conservative -- It’s NOT!

“Bolt From The Blue”




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0 Outdoors

Rel

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Pro

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ionLightning Safety Procedures

Seek A Safe Place:

• Large Fully Enclosed Building With Wiring & Plumbing or Vehicle With Solid Metal Roof And Solid Metal Sides

• No Place Outside Is Safe When Thunderstorms In The Area



• Once In Proper Shelter, Avoid Conducting Paths To Outside• Telephone (corded)

• Except In Emergencies• Electrical Appliances / Wiring

• TVs And TV Cables• Computers• Light Switches

• Plumbing• Showers• Sinks• Rest Rooms• Pools

• Don’t Watch Lightning From Window / Doorway• Inner Rooms Are Generally Better





LEVEL-3:• If You Must Be Outside With Thunderstorms In The Area, Avoid:

• Elevated Places• Open Areas (Sports Fields, Beaches)• Tall Isolated Objects (Trees)• Unprotected Pavilions (Rain & Picnic Shelters)• Water Related Activities (Swimming, Boating, Fishing)

• Indoor Pools Too• Large Metal Structures (Bleachers, Fences)

• Metal Doesn’t Attract Lightning, But Conducts It Long Distance





Telephone(5%)

Farm & HeavyEquipment

(9%)

Open Areas(Includes Sports Fields,

Golfing (6% of total),and Beaches)

(49%)

Water(Swimming,

Boating,Fishing)

(22%)

UnderTrees(13%)

RadioEquipment

(3%)

Lightning CasualtiesIn Florida (1959-1993)(Southeast Climate Center)

When Thunderstorms Nearby, Avoid These Activities Like Your Life Depends On It -- It Does!

When Thunderstorms Nearby, Avoid These Activities Like Your Life Depends On It -- It Does!





Keep Away From Trees!












When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! Half An Hour Since Thunder Roars, Now It’s Safe To Go Outdoors!When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! Half An Hour Since Thunder Roars, Now It’s Safe To Go Outdoors!




• Proceed To Safest Spot Possible

• Separate By Several Body Lengths

• Share Warning Signs And Warning Call

• Lightning Is Imminent If . . .• Tingling Skin, Hair Sticking Out, Metal Vibrating, St. Elmo’s Fire, Crackling Static Sound

• If Lightning Is Imminent . . .• Use “Lightning Crouch”

• Best Balance Between Low Height & Little Area Touching Ground• Do NOT Lie Flat On Ground!

• Proceed To Safest Spot Possible

• Separate By Several Body Lengths

• Share Warning Signs And Warning Call

• Lightning Is Imminent If . . .• Tingling Skin, Hair Sticking Out, Metal Vibrating, St. Elmo’s Fire, Crackling Static Sound

• If Lightning Is Imminent . . .• Use “Lightning Crouch”

• Best Balance Between Low Height & Little Area Touching Ground• Do NOT Lie Flat On Ground!

• If In An Unsafe Location And Thunderstorms Threaten . . .• If In An Unsafe Location And Thunderstorms Threaten . . .

LEVEL-4:

• Wait A Few Seconds, Slowly Stand And Test If Okay, Then Continue To Safest Spot Possible• Wait A Few Seconds, Slowly Stand And Test If Okay, Then Continue To Safest Spot Possible



LAST RESORT!NO LONGER TAUGHTTO GENERAL PUBLIC!



LEVEL-5:

• First Aid – All Deaths From Cardiac ArrestFirst Aid – All Deaths From Cardiac Arrest

• Start CPR Or Rescue Breathing, As RequiredStart CPR Or Rescue Breathing, As Required

• Have Someone Call 9-1-1Have Someone Call 9-1-1

• Use Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)Use Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)

• If AED Not Available, Or If It Doesn’t Start,If AED Not Available, Or If It Doesn’t Start, Continue CPR Or Rescue Breathing Continue CPR Or Rescue Breathing

LEVEL-5:

• First Aid – All Deaths From Cardiac ArrestFirst Aid – All Deaths From Cardiac Arrest

• Start CPR Or Rescue Breathing, As RequiredStart CPR Or Rescue Breathing, As Required

• Have Someone Call 9-1-1Have Someone Call 9-1-1

• Use Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)Use Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)

• If AED Not Available, Or If It Doesn’t Start,If AED Not Available, Or If It Doesn’t Start, Continue CPR Or Rescue Breathing Continue CPR Or Rescue Breathing

Nat

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• Lightning Is Death Ray

• Only ~ 10% Killed

• Survivors Often Have Life-Long Debilitating Injuries

• Lightning Victim Is Electrified -- Don’t Touch, Or Be Electrocuted

• It Is Safe To Apply First-Aid!

• But Beware Downed Live Wires In Thunderstorms; Touching Victim Then Is Dangerous

• “Crispy Critter” Myth

• First-Aid -- Myths







When Thunderstorms Are In The Area, You Have A ChoiceGo Inside, Or Else This Could Happen To You!

Exploded Tree!

Wrap Up




Runway At Eglin AFB, FL (May 99)

Wrap Up





Louisiana State Memorial (May, Jul 99)

Stone Exploded!

3 Ton Blocks Moved!

Wrap Up





Chinese Crested Dog

Wrap Up

When Thunderstorms Are In The Area, You Have A ChoiceGo Inside, Or Else This Could Happen To You?




Summary



• Lightning Is Extremely Significant Hazard, But Far Too Often Underrated

• On-base Lightning Safety

• Listen For And React To The Phase-1 Lightning Watches And Phase-II Lightning Warnings

• Off-base Lightning Safety

• Three slogans

• The 5-Levels

• Vast Majority Of Lightning Casualties Easily, Quickly, Cheaply Prevented!

• But Inconvenient, So Be Diligent!

• Lightning Is Extremely Significant Hazard, But Far Too Often Underrated

• On-base Lightning Safety

• Listen For And React To The Phase-1 Lightning Watches And Phase-II Lightning Warnings

• Off-base Lightning Safety

• Three slogans

• The 5-Levels

• Vast Majority Of Lightning Casualties Easily, Quickly, Cheaply Prevented!

• But Inconvenient, So Be Diligent!




Lightning Safety Web-Sites

• NOAA Lightning Safety:

• www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov• Lightning safety information

• National Weather Service:

• www.weather.gov

• Local forecasts for planning outdoor activities




SOAP



Lightning Safety Slogans



















Lightning Hat Photo

Group Photo! -- Put on Lightning Hat in Your Gift Bags




Lightning Safety

• QUESTIONS?• www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov

• www.weather.gov

• For Lightning Safety Briefings, Call . . .

• William P. Roeder

• [email protected]

• (321) 853-8410

• QUESTIONS?• www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov

• www.weather.gov

• For Lightning Safety Briefings, Call . . .

• William P. Roeder

• [email protected]

• (321) 853-8410



Documents

36th Annual Meeting of the National Weather Association Teacher Workshop (17 Oct 11)