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Interesting facts
• Lightning can travel 10-40 miles
• Count the seconds between seeing lightning and hearing thunder. Divide by 5= miles away the lightning strike occurred
Lightning will hit the highest point around
On lakes- that is usually YOU!
30-30 rule
Hear thunder within 30 seconds- take cover!
Wait 30 minutes after a storm to go outside
1998-2008= 449 deaths
• October 1997, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published findings of some 35 years of USA lightning statistics. Fatalities, injuries, and damage were compiled for the years 1959-1994. We summarize the Report (1) as below:
• 1. Location of Incident:• 40% Unreported.
27% Open fields & recreation areas (not golf).14% Under trees (not golf).8% Water-related (boating, fishing, swimming…).5% Golf/golf under trees.3% Heavy equipment and machinery-related.2.4% Telephone-related.0.7% Radio, transmitter & antenna-related.
• 2. Gender of victims = 84% male; 16% female.• 3. Months of most incidents = June 21%, July 30%, Aug 22%.• 4. Days of week of most incidents = Sun./Wed./Sat.• 5. Time of day of most incidents = 2 PM to 6 PM.• 6. Number of victims = One (91%), two or more (9%).• 7. Deaths by State, Top Five = FL, MI, TX, NY, TN.• 8. Injuries by State, Top Five = FL, MI, PA, NC, NY.
Thunder
• Caused when the heat of lightning expands air
• Can’t have thunder without lightning
• ADRIAN, MI -- One woman is dead because of severe weather. 63-year-old Joyce Maloney and her husband were burying a family pet Friday night in their backyard. Then they were both struck by lightning.The bolt knocked both Joyce Maloney and her husband to the ground. He was able to crawl to his feet and call for help. When rescue crews arrived, it was too late. Joyce was pronounced dead when she got to the hospital.Joyce's family says she worked as a dental hygienist for 35 years, before retiring in 1995. Joyce is survived by her husband of 37 years and her three sons. The husband was released from the hospital Saturday.Services for Joyce Maloney will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Anderson Funeral Home near Adrian.Posted 10:07 p.m. Sunday, August 3rd.
• If you are in a boat, turn it around and head for land as quickly as possible. “The worst place to be during a storm is on a boat. Water is an incredible conductor of lightning,” Ojala said.
• Get off golf courses, playing fields or anywhere that you are the highest point of contact since lightning targets the highest point.
• Stay away from seeking shelter under a tree. Lightning is conducted through the tree and can “splash” in many directions as it exits the trunk.
• Driving a metal car is a good place to be during a storm, but don’t touch the steering wheel. Lightning will go around the car’s metal frame and exit through the tires. “Rubber in the tires is irrelevant to safety,” said Ojala.
• Go indoors. It’s the best place to be during a thunderstorm. Southeastern Michigan gets about 40 thunder days per year where there is at least one storm per day. We have already experienced at least 20 thunder days this year, Ojala said.
• Stay away from water or a corded telephone. Lightning travels through metal pipes and electrical cords so if you are inside your home, don’t shower or wash the dishes. If you must use the telephone, make sure it’s cordless.
HEAT LIGHTNING
• NO SUCH THING
• Storm in the distance
FULGURITES
• Sand fused tubes• Created when
lightning hits sand
