| There is nothing more relaxing than observing a | | | | do depending where you are before or during a |
| thunder and lightning storm, from a distance that | | | | severe thunder and lightning storm. |
| is. The occasional flash of lightning followed by a | | | | Outdoor Safety Tips: |
| gentle rumbling are refreshing to most of us. We | | | | * If you are operating any device with |
| might even find ourselves doing the one to five | | | | attachments, such as kites or electronic |
| count to see how many miles away the storm is. | | | | equipment with wires, cease immediately. |
| Since sound travels at approximately ll00 feet per | | | | * Do not hold any items in your hands that are |
| second and a mile is 5,280 feet then | | | | made of metal or any other objects, especially if |
| approximately every five seconds after the flash | | | | these are extended or over your head such as a |
| of lightning till you hear the thunder is about 1 mile | | | | fishing rod, an umbrella or a golf club. |
| away. For example, if you can count to fifteen | | | | * Do not put yourself in contact with other |
| then the storm is about three miles away, count | | | | permanent objects that are of metal content, |
| to 10, then it is two miles away. | | | | metal buildings, a fence or clothesline. * Avoid |
| This relaxation though, can take on a whole | | | | standing under tall objects such as trees especially |
| different mood swing if suddenly the leaves start | | | | if these objects are the tallest structures in your |
| moving and a breeze picks up. Your revised one | | | | location. |
| to five count indicates the storm is heading your | | | | * Try to find shelter in a protected structure, a |
| way in a hurry. You go into the panic mode. Are | | | | car or truck with tires. This is safer than being in |
| my car windows up? Is the umbrella on my deck | | | | the open. Avoid small shelters like a tent. * If |
| table still up? What about the kids playing in the | | | | there is no safe haven nearby and you are in the |
| back yard? The dog is out and totally goes | | | | open, crouch down. |
| bonkers when a storm comes. What if the | | | | * If you are wearing any metallic items, remove |
| electricity goes off? Do I have drinking water | | | | these, especially those on your head as your head |
| ahead? There is not much time to react but you | | | | will probably be the highest point. * Try to be |
| do what you can. | | | | lower than objects that are around you. |
| Sure you are worried about all these things but | | | | * If you feel static electricity or your hair stands |
| the safety of your family is the most important | | | | up, move away to a different location, |
| thing. Even though some of the best weather | | | | immediately. |
| stations on your television and radios may be | | | | * Do not ride open transportation, such as a |
| warning you, unless you are tuned in, you may be | | | | bicycle, 4-wheeler or any open vehicle. |
| caught off guard. | | | | * If you are in water, leave the water |
| The truth of the matter is that not all | | | | immediately at the first sign of thunder and |
| thunderstorms are equal. There are 4 different | | | | lightning. Water is a great conductor of electricity. |
| types of thunderstorms, from the least called a | | | | * If you are in a hard topped vehicle with rubber |
| "single cell" storm ranging to the worst, a "super | | | | tires, try not to park under tall structures that are |
| cell" storm. Hurricanes are rated, from a category | | | | likely to be hit by lightning and while in these |
| 1 hurricane to a category 5 hurricane. A category | | | | vehicle do not touch metal items in the vehicle. |
| 5 hurricane can be over 200 miles per hour and | | | | Indoor Safety Tips: |
| bring devastating destruction being a storm of | | | | * If using land line phones or any electrical |
| such great magnitude. | | | | appliances or entertainment devices which require |
| During a "super cell" thunder and lightning storm | | | | a cord attached to electrical outlets, please cease |
| much damage can be done by accompanying | | | | these functions. |
| strong winds, hail or massive downpours of rain. | | | | * Stay away from windows or any electrical |
| Trees can be toppled, electric lines are broken or | | | | objects that are still connected to electricity |
| damaged, even death can occur to animals and to | | | | * Avoid any items that are metal, such as pipes, |
| humans. | | | | fixtures, electronic device or any appliances. |
| People on beaches and golf courses and outdoors | | | | * If an emergency requires use of a phone, use a |
| in rural areas are at highest risk because they are | | | | cell phone or if using a land line phone, be very |
| not protected from electrical spikes. | | | | brief. If you do not have an emergency it is |
| I am an avid golfer but do not get to go often as | | | | better not to use a land line telephone. Cell phones |
| I would like to. I have been caught several times | | | | are not connected to any wires and are safe |
| out on the golf course when a sudden thunder | | | | however if you as a person are in a place most |
| and lightning storm has arisen. I hate for the | | | | likely to be hit by lightning, you can be hit whether |
| weather to spoil my game but really being in the | | | | or not there is a cell phone in your hand. |
| open, in a field or on a golf course is very | | | | * If you have advance warning, disconnect your |
| dangerous. Holding a golf club, especially with steel | | | | electrical items and appliances like toasters, |
| shafts in your hands is like a lightning magnet. A | | | | microwaves, televisions and computers, modems, |
| natural tendency is to run for cover, usually under | | | | etc. Using a high quality surge protector with built |
| a tree which is one of the worst places for | | | | in circuit breaker may protect your equipment. |
| animals and people to be because a tree is more | | | | * Owning your own personal weather station |
| apt to be hit than a short object in the open. | | | | could save your life and your electrical equipment. |
| Sometimes cattlemen lose many of their herd as | | | | You do not want just an ordinary model that only |
| the animals take cover under a tree and that tree | | | | tells you the time and temperature but rather |
| is hit by lightning. Often whatever is under that | | | | you want one of the best weather stations. |
| tree gets a tremendous electrical charge. | | | | Preferably a model equipped with a "severe |
| A few of the golf courses I have played have | | | | weather warning" or a Storm "weather alarm" |
| shelters on the course for such sudden changes | | | | feature that can give you more advance notice |
| of weather which I have really appreciated. Usually | | | | of an approaching storm system. |
| these storms do not last but a few minutes so it | | | | If you have a barometer, or the newer type |
| is better to stop your game for a few minutes | | | | digital weather stations with a built in barometer |
| and go to a safe location before the storm | | | | pressure history graph then you will see low |
| actually hits. | | | | barometer pressure forecast. Usually severe |
| Safety should be the number one consideration. | | | | weather occurs when the pressure is low in the |
| About 30% of people who get struck by lightning | | | | 28-29.5 ranges or lower. In conclusion, if we stay |
| are killed. Others who do and get quick medical | | | | safety conscious, if we are aware of what to do |
| attention, live to tell about it, and do not think that | | | | and not to do in one of these storms, then |
| lightning never strikes twice in the same place. | | | | actually follow these guidelines. Anything that will |
| That is a myth. What attracted the lightning in the | | | | help us to get faster warnings will be worth it. |
| first place to one area can be just as attractive | | | | Ignoring warnings can be fatal but hopefully we |
| when another storm comes. | | | | will not have to face these storms with fear but |
| The following are some things to do and not to | | | | rather with caution and good sense. |