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Ecceeded only by floods, lightning is the second largest killer associated with storms. Lightning reportedly kills an average of 73 people each year in the United States. As thunderstorms develop, areas of positive and negative charges build within a cloud. Negative charges are concentrated in lower regions and positive charges build in upper areas. A positive charge is created below the cloud. Since air is a poor conductor of electricity, it takes tens of millions of volts to overcome this resistance. Before a lightning bolt is seen, a pathway of ionized air is produced. Called a stepped leader, it follows the path of least resistance, giving it a crooked appearance. The stepped leader starts from the cloud and when it is within a few hundred feet of the ground, a ground charge called a streamer rises up to meet it. Once the pathway is complete, the lightning bolt is seen. There are several considerations for protection from a lightning strike. First, when a storm is approaching, don't wait for rain to begin before moving indoors. If you can hear thunder, lightning is close enough that it could strike your location at any moment. Lightning can occur as far as 10 miles from rainfall. Do not stand under or next to a tree. If you cannot get to an indoor location, crouch in the open, keeping twice as far from a tree as it is tall. If there is a group of people outdoors, keep several yards distance from each other. Unless well grounded, open pavilions or other small shelters will not provide adequate protection. Lightning can enter a building through a direct strike, through wires or pipes that extend outside the structure, or through electrical, phone, plumbing and radio/television antennas. Metal wires or bars in concrete walls or floors may also be pathways. If you are indoors, avoid contact with corded phones or contact with electrical equipment. Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls. Stay away from windows and doors and stay off of porches.
According to the National Weather Service, lightning can cause significant damage to personal property. Typical surge protectors may not protect equipment from a strike. During a storm, appliances and electronic equipment, including antenna connections, should be unplugged to the extent possible. Contact a local electrician or your local electric cooperative for more information on whole-house surge protection equipment and proper grounding. When outside during a thunderstorm, avoid water. Boating, fishing, and other-related activities account for 13 percent of lightning deaths and 6 percent of injuries. Avoid high ground. Also avoid open spaces. Open spaces, fields and ballparks account for 28 percent of lightning deaths and 29 percent of lightning injuries. All metal objects including electric wires, fences, machinery, motors and power tools should not be used. In addition, canopies, small picnic or rain shelters, or near trees are all UNSAFE places to be. Standing under trees, in fact, accounts for 18 percent of lightning deaths and 13 percent of injuries. If lightning is very close and no building is nearby, you should crouch down and put your feet together. Place your hands over your ears to minimize hearing damage from thunder. Avoid being closer than 15 feet from other people. If someone is struck by lightning, call 911 or other emergency services. Check the victims breathing and pulse, and begin CPR if necessary and you are trained to do so. Where lightning entered and left the body, burns may be present. In addition, other problems such as broken bones, loss of hearing or eyesight, and other nervous system damage may be present. After being struck, the victim does not carry any residual charge, so a rescue person should not be afraid of being shocked.
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