Lightning Safety Lightning--The Underrated Thunderstorm Hazard

Dr. Hamid K. RassoulDirector, Geospace Physics Laboratory

Florida Tech, Melbourne, Floridarassoul@fit.edu

Acknowledgment: Slides are from 45th Weather Squadron --Mr. William P. Roeder

Physics of Atmosphere Class – Florida Tech

Courtesy National Lightning Safety Institute

Total Lightning Safety:Multi-Tiered Approach

SOAP

Forecasting

Protection

Mitigation

Education

Lightning Safety!

Total Lightning Safety:Multi-Tiered Approach

SOAP

Forecasting

Protection

Mitigation

EducationLightning Safety!

EducationEducationEducationEducation

Purpose

Summarize Lightning Safety Information

Overview

• LIGHTNING IMPACTS

• LIGHTNING SAFETY GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS

• OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• PUBLIC EDUCATION IS KEY!

More EducationNeeded!

Lightning Impacts

• LIGHTNING

• 2nd Leading Cause Of Storm Deaths In U.S.

• Kills More Than Hurricanes And Tornadoes Combined!

• Kills ~ 100 / Year

• Kills ~ 10% Of Those Struck

• Elusive Data

• 30 - 50% Under-Reported

• Survivors Are Even Greater Tragedy!

• Injures ~750 / Year

• Most Suffer Life-Long Severe Injury

• Many Are Debilitated

• Elusive Data

• 40 - 70% Under-Reported

• Extremely Variable Symptoms. Intensity Can Be Severe.

• Memory Loss

• Sleep Disturbance

• Attention Deficit

• Dizziness

• Fatigue Problems

• Joint Stiffness

• Irritability

• Temper

• Hearing Loss

• Severe Headaches

• Coordination Problems

• Many Others

Lightning Impacts (con’t.)

Courtesy of National Lightning Safety Institute

• $5 Billion Annual Impact In U.S.

• Airline ($2B)

• Insurance ($1B)

• 1 Claim / 57 Flashes

• Power Industry ($1B)

• Residential Fires ($147M)

• Forest Fires ($20 M)

• Electronics ($?)

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Lightning Impacts (con’t.)

Courtesy of National Lightning Safety Institute

Dr. Richard Orville, Texas A&M University

Florida -- Thunderstorm Capital Of U.S.!

Lightning Impacts (con’t.)

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Central Florida = “Lightning Alley”

Tampa To Titusville

Lightning Impacts (con’t.)

Lightning Is Leading Cause Of Weather Deaths In Florida

Lightning Impacts (con’t.)

Courtesy of NWS/Melbourne

Lightning Impacts (con’t.)

Florida Leads U.S. In Lightning Deaths And Lightning Casualties

LIGHTNING INJURIES

1. FLORIDA

2. MI

3. PA

4. NC

5. OH

6. NY

7. TX

8. TN

9. ME

10. GA

LIGHTNING DEATHS

1. FLORIDA

2. TX

3. NC

4. NY

5. OH

6. TN

7. LA

8. MD

9. PA

10. AR

1959-1996

Some States Larger In Area And Population. Beware Reporting Biases.

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!

Radios and Equipment(2.8%)

Golf(5.8%)

Telephone(4.7%)

Farm andHeavy Equipment

(8.6%)

Golf and Trees(1.1%)

Lightning Casualties In FL (1959-1993)

Open Fields(42.9%)

UnderTrees(12.0%)

Water(22.1%)

Lightning Impacts (con’t.)

• Despite Large Impacts . . .

• Relatively Little Done To Study Lightning

• One Victim (91%), Two+ Victims (9%)

• Almost Nothing Done To Forecast Lightning

• Nationally, NWS Doesn’t Forecast Lightning

• Kudos! NWS / Melbourne Providing Lightning Information In Forecasts / Warnings

• www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb

• You Are Responsible For Your Own Lightning Safety!

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Lightning Impacts (con’t.)

‘LSG’ Recommendations

• LIGHTNING SAFETY GROUP

• 16 Lightning Experts From Diverse Disciplines (Jan 98)

• Universities• National Labs• Operational Meteorology• Medicine• Industry• Safety• Insurance• Education• Athletics

• Goal: Standardize Lightning Safety Advice

• Much Of Previous Advice Contradictory, Incomplete, Incorrect, Or Even Unsafe!

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

• 6 Safety Guidelines For . . .

• Safer And Unsafe Locations In Thunderstorms

• Individuals

• Small Groups

• Large Groups

• Important Components Of An Action Plan

• First Aid For Lightning Victims

• NCAA Adopted Guidelines (1998)

• Clear Creek School District (2000) Houston, TX

• No Guidelines 100% Safe

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

• Lightning Is Like An 800 Pound Gorilla!

• Q: What Does An 800 Pound Gorilla Eat?

A: Anything It Wants Too!

• Q: Where Does Lightning Strike?

A: Anywhere It Wants Too!!

=

800 Pounds

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

SOAP

• Safer And Unsafe Locations In Thunderstorms

• No Place Absolutely Safe From Lightning

• Safer Location #1

• Large Enclosed Substantially Constructed Buildings

• E.g. Typical Home

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

OKAY!

• Houses Are Safer, But Need To Avoid . . .

• Contact With Conducting Path To Outside

• Don’t Use Telephone (corded)

• Avoid Electrical Appliances (TV, Computer, Wires, Etc.)

• Avoid Plumbing -- Don’t Shower, Wash Dishes, Etc.

• Avoid Metal Doors And Window Frames

• Inner Rooms Are Better

• Lightning Is Electricity, And Will Always Follow The Path Of Least Resistance

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

OKAY!

DON’T Use Telephone!

• Perfect Lightning Death Machine!

• Miles Of Elevated Wires, Conducting Path To Inside House, Which You Aim At Your Head!

• 2.4% Of Lightning Deaths On Phone

• Half The Death Rate Of Golfing!

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

OKAY!

Cordless Phone Okay, If Several Body Lengths Away From Base Station - But Base Station Should Be Unplugged, So . . .

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

Safer Locations (con’t.)

• Fully Enclosed Metal Vehicles (Cars, Buses, Etc.)

• Close Windows

• Avoid Contact With Conducting Path To Outside

• Metal Enclosure, Not The Rubber Tires, Makes It Safe!

OKAY!

• It’s The Metal Shell That Protects You

• Just Don’t Touch the Metal!

Note Current Arcing Across Tires

- Lightning Laughs At 2 Inches Of Rubber!

• Unsafe Locations• High Places / Open Fields• Isolated Trees• Towers / Poles (Light Poles, Flag Poles, Telephone Poles, Etc.)• Unprotected Pavilions, Rain / Picnic Shelters• Baseball Dugouts• Convertible Cars• Golf Carts• Water (Swimming Pool, Ocean, Lake, Rivers, Etc.)

• Indoor / Outdoor Pools• Bleachers (Metal Or Wood)• Metal Fences / Structures

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

Not A Good Time To Be On A Ferris Wheel!

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

• Unsafe Locations (con’t.)

• Side Flash

• Steam Explosion

• Ground Streamers

• Upward Streamers

• Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP)

• Lightning EMP ~ Nuclear Explosion

No Place Outside Is Safe Near A Thunderstorm!

Side Flash

Steam Explosion

Ground Streamer

Upward Streamers

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

• Unsafe Locations (con’t.)

• Some Places Much Less Safe Than Others

• But No Place Outside Is Safe Near A Thunderstorm

• Seek Shelter!

Doesn’t Always Strike Tallest Object!

Doesn’t Always Strike The Highest Place!

Seek Proper Shelter

• Buildings Much Better Than Vehicles

• Large, Fully Enclosed, Substantially Built

• Vehicles Offer Some Safety

• No Place Outside Is Safe Near A Thunderstorm

• Near 6 Miles

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

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Lightning Certified Facility

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Lightning Protected Building

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

• Safety For Individuals

• “30 / 30 Rule” -- Lightning Can Strike Long Distances!

• If 30 Secs Or Less “Flash To Bang”, Seek Shelter

• Wait 30 Min After Last Lightning, Before Leaving Shelter

• Most Casualties Before, And Especially After, TSTMs

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

• If You Can Hear Thunder / See Lightning, Seek Shelter

56 Nm CG-Lightning Documented! - Anvil Lightning - Rare Distance!

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“Bolt From The Blue”

~15 Nm “Bolt From The Blue” Not Uncommon

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Courtesy of NWS/Melbourne

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

3030 Seconds:People Don’t RealizeThe Long DistancesLightning Can Strike

30 Minutes:People Don’t RealizeHow LongLightning Can Linger

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(Similar Across U.S.)

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

30 Seconds/30 Minutes:People Don’t ReactTo Low Flash Rates Well

Courtesy of NWS/Melbourne

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(Similar Across U.S.)

• Safety For Individuals (con’t.)

• “30 / 30 Rule” -- Poor Protection For . . .

• Thunderstorms Forming Near-By

• If First Lightning Is Ground Strike

• 23% In East Central Florida

• A Significant Fraction Of Time, Even If First Lightning Is Aloft, Seek Shelter Immediately, Next Bolt Could Be Aimed At You!

• Watch The Skies, Take Shelter Before First Lightning

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

• Safety For Individuals (con’t.)

• Watch Weather Forecasts• www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb

• Use NOAA Weather Radio & Creditable Lightning Detectors• Don’t Let It Override Good Sense

• Be Aware Of Local Weather--Use Good Sense

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

• Proceed To Safest Spot Possible

• Lightning Is Imminent If . . .• Tingling Skin, Hair Sticking Out, “Kee-Kee” Sound Metal Vibrating (Zippers, Golf Clubs, Etc.), St. Elmo’s Fire

• If Lightning Is Imminent . . .• Separate From Others By Several Body Lengths• Use “Lightning Crouch”

• Balance Between Low Height & Little Area Touching Ground

• Do NOT Lie Flat On Ground!

• Proceed To Safest Spot Possible

• Lightning Is Imminent If . . .• Tingling Skin, Hair Sticking Out, “Kee-Kee” Sound Metal Vibrating (Zippers, Golf Clubs, Etc.), St. Elmo’s Fire

• If Lightning Is Imminent . . .• Separate From Others By Several Body Lengths• Use “Lightning Crouch”

• Balance Between Low Height & Little Area Touching Ground

• Do NOT Lie Flat On Ground!LAST RESORT!

LAST RESORT!

LAST RESORT!

LAST RESORT!

• Safety For Individuals (con’t.)

LAST RESORT!

• If Trapped In An Unsafe Location . . .• If Trapped In An Unsafe Location . . .

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

• Safety For Small Groups (Evacuation Time < 10 Min)• Action Plan Must Be Known By All In Advance

• Pre-Identify / Inform Everyone Of Safe Shelters• Leaders / Other Adults Must Be Responsible For Children

• Monitor Weather Forecasts Beforehand• Designate A Person To Monitor Weather Throughout Activity

• If No One Appointed, No One Will Do It! • Continually Observe The Local Weather

• Remember ‘30 / 30 Rule’• Use NOAA Weather Radio & Lightning Detectors• Inform Everyone As Potential Threats Develop• Implement Action Plan• ‘30 / 30 Rule’ Can Be Used To Decide To Resume Activity

• Don’t Jump The Gun To Restart!

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‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

‘Florida Today’ (26 Apr 99)

Sports Has FastestRising Lightning

Casualty Rate

‘Soccer Moms & Dads’, Please Note!

Don’t “Tough It Out”, Postpone The Game!

Remember Congo, Oct 98 11 People Killed In Soccer Match!

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

• Safety For Large Groups (Evacuation Time > 10 Min)

• Action Plan Must Be Known In Advance

• Adults Must Be Responsible For Children In Their Care

• Rest Very Similar To ‘Safety For Small Groups’.

• But Allow Longer Lead-Times To Evacuate Larger Groups

• Extend “Warning” Range

• Be Prepared For More False Alarms Due to Isolated Thunderstorms, That Attendees May Never See

• Forewarned Is Very Much Forearmed!

• Lightning May Strike Many Miles From Edge Of Thunderstorm

• Acceptable Downtime Must Be Balanced With Risk Of Life

• Accepting Responsibility For Larger Groups Of People Requires More Sophistication And Diligence

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

• Important Components Of An Action Plan

• Event Managers Designate Person(s) As Weather Monitor

• Monitoring Should Begin Hours, Even Days, Before Event

• Forewarned Is Very Much Forearmed!

• Protocol Needed Beforehand On Notifying Attendees

• A Team May Be Needed To Implement / Coordinate Evacuation, Depending On Size Of Crowd

• Pre-Identify / Inform All Of Safe Shelters And Routes

• Buses Are Good Shelter And Can Be Pre-Positioned

• “All Clear” Must Be Pre-Identified And Be Considerably Different Than “Warning Signal”

• Periodically Review / Train / Drill Action Plan

SOAP

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

• First-Aid For Lightning Victims

• Call ‘911’

• Don’t Expose Yourself To Risk

• If In High Risk Area With Continuing Thunderstorm, Stay In Shelter

• Usually Okay To Move Lightning Victim From High Risk To Lower Risk Area

• Contrary To Normal First-Aid, But Lightning Rarely Causes Major Fractures / Internal Damage, Unless Person Fell Or Thrown

• Minimize Your Exposure To Lightning Risk

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

Dr. Cooper, M.D.Univ Illinois, Chicago

• First-Aid For Lightning Victims (con’t.)

• If Not Breathing / No Pulse, Apply Mouth-To-Mouth Resuscitation / CPR

• If Moving Victim, Give A few Breaths First

• Still Give CPR, If Unconscious With Intermittent Spasmodic Gasping And Widely Spaced Pulse (~10 sec)

• Agonistic Breathing -- Oxygen Not Getting To Brain

• If Outside, Beware Hypothermia

• If Victim Recovers, Usually Happens In A Few Minutes

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

• MYTH: Lightning Is Guaranteed Death

• Only ~ 10% Killed

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

• It Is Safe To Apply First-Aid!

• High Chance Of Success!

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

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

• MYTH: Lightning Instantly Turns You Into A Burnt Corpse

• First-Aid For Lightning Victims (con’t.)

Other Considerations

Protect Your Pets!

Courtesy ‘Weather Channel’

Other Considerations (con’t.)

Unplug Valuable Electronics, BEFORE! Lightning Threat

Plug-In Surge Protector Worthless For Direct Lightning Strike!

• Turn Off, If Left Plugged-In (Use Remote, If Available)

• If On The Water During A Thunderstorm• Go To Lowest Part Of Boat, Use ‘Lightning Crouch’• Avoid Tall Parts Of Boat (Sail Mast)• Avoid Metal Objects

• Boating Safety

• Slow Response Time

• Be Extra Aware Of Forecast• Schedule Accordingly

• Be Extra Aware Of Local Weather• React Accordingly

• Lightning Protection Equipment Available For Larger Boats • Univ. Of Florida -- Boating Lightning Protection And Safety

• www.cdc.gov/niosh/nasd/docs/as04800.html• www.thomson.ece.ufl.edu/lightning

Other Considerations (con’t.)

Courtesy of South East Climate Center

Water Activities (Including Boating), Are A Close 2nd For Lightning Fatalities

When Thunderstorms Are Nearby, You Have A ChoiceSeek Shelter, Or Else This Could Happen To You!

Exploded Tree!

Wrap Up

When Thunderstorms Are Nearby, You Have A ChoiceSeek Shelter, Or Else This Could Happen To You!

Runway At Eglin AFB, FL (May 99)

Wrap Up (con’t.)

Wrap Up (con’t.)

When Thunderstorms Are Nearby, You Have A ChoiceSeek Shelter, Or Else This Could Happen To You!

Louisiana State Memorial (May, Jul 99)

Stone Exploded!

3 Ton Blocks Moved!

Wrap Up (con’t.)

When Thunderstorms Are Nearby, You Have A ChoiceSeek Shelter, Or Else This Could Happen To You!

Chinese Crested Dog

Lightning Safety Web-Sites

• 45 WS Lightning Safety Web-Page:- www.patrick.af.mil/45og/45ws/lightningsafety/index.htm

• National Severe Storms Laboratory:- www.nssl.noaa.gov/researchitems/lightning.html

• Downloadable coloring books on various weather safety topics - http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/bm/bm_main.html

• National Weather Service / Melbourne, FL:- www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb

• National Lightning Safety Institute:- lightningsafety.com/index.html

• Lightning Injury Research:- www.uic.edu/labs/lightninginjury

• Lightning Strike & Electric Shock Survivors International:- www.mindspring.com/~lightningstrike/

• University Of Florida -- Boating Lightning Protection & Safety: - www.cdc.gov/niosh/nasd/docs/as04800.html - www.thomson.ece.ufl.edu/lightning• ‘USA Today’:

- www.usatoday.com/weather/wlightn0.htm• Global Atmospherics, Inc. (National Lightning Detection Network):

- www.glatmos.com

Upcoming Events

Handouts

Summary

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

• Lightning Safety Group Recommendations Can Help People Improve Their Lightning Safety

• Public Education is Key -- You Can Help!

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Lightning Safety

•See also the Lightning Safety Tips at : http://www.lightningsafety.com/ •See also the Lightning Safety Tips at : http://www.lightningsafety.com/

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