spring and summer storms lightning and its dangers prepared by marilyn rausch indiana fcrv dat...

Spring and Summer Storms

Lightning and its Dangers

Prepared by Marilyn RauschIndiana FCRV DAT Program 2006

Some Statistics

100: number of lightning strikes/second. 20 Million: Lightning strikes in USA/year. 1 Billion: number of VOLTS in a flash. 10,000-200,000 AMPS/flash

Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2006

One stroke of lightning can light a 100 watt bulb for 3 months!


Casualties

1 casualty/ 86,000 strikes in USA.1 death/ 345,000 flashes.1 injury/ 114,000 flashes.

THE ODDS OF BEING STRUCK BY LIGHTNING ARE

1:280,000


“How likely am I to be struck by lightning?

The odds of being struck vary from person to person, and are determined by multiple factors. The most significant are:

1. Geographical location and climate.

2. Daily and yearly climatology.3. PERSONAL LIFESTYLE AND HOBBIES


OPPOSITES ATTRACT

When a thunderstorm builds, negative electrical charges develop within clouds. There are positively charged particles on the ground.

The attraction between the positive charges and the negative charges overcomes the resistance of the air between them.

Lightning occurs when the charges rush to meet each other.


LIGHTNINGCAUSES

THUNDER

When lightning occurs, the electrical bolt heats the air around it to about 50,000 degrees! The air rapidly expands then contracts, causing the molecules to smash into each other.

These high-energy collisions create the sound that we call thunder.


Where does

lightning go?

Cloud to ground.

One cloud to another

Ground to cloud

Cloud to surrounding air

Cloud to air lightning can lash out more than ten miles,

giving the impression that lightning is striking out of a

clear blue sky!Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2006

ATTENTION SNOWBIRDS

Florida gets more lightning strikes than any other state in the U.S., and has twice as many casualties as does any other state.

Central Florida gets the bulk of the state’s strikesIndiana FCRV DAT Program 2006

A BOLT of lightning is

called a “STROKE.”

One bolt carries about 200 million volts of electricity.

One bolt can kill a person instantly.

Men are struck about four times more often than womenIndiana FCRV DAT Program 2006

DISTANCE MATTERS

The bolt in the foreground is about a mile from the photographer.

Light travels faster than sound, and sound travels about one mile in five seconds.

If you can count to five between the time of the flash and the sound of the thunder, the lightning is about a mile from you. Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2006

IF A STORM IS LESS THAN THREE MILES AWAY, YOU SHOULD FIND SHELTER, AS THE NEXT STRIKE IS PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF HITTING YOU!


HEAT OR

SHEETLIGHTNING

Lightning that illuminates entire clouds.

SHEET lightning is close enough for the observer to be heard.

HEAT lightning is witnessed at such a distance that it seems silent.Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2006

Among recent discoveries are flashes that occur in the high altitudes above thunderstorms.


• The vertical bolt in the upper right portion of this photo is a newly-discovered flash know by such names as “blue jets,” “red sprites,” and “green elves.” They are distinct forms of lightning that shoot from the tops of thunderstorms. Researchers are trying to unravel these and other mysteries of the dangerous world of lightning


Photographers use time-lapse procedures to capture images like

these.Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2006

Now that we know of the beauty of lightning, it is time to discuss the

dangers, safety and protection.Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2006

OUT-OF-DOORS IS THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE

DURING A LIGHTNING

STORM.Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2006

OUT-OF-DOORS IS THE MOST

DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE DURING A

LIGHTNING STORMIndiana FCRV DAT Program 2006

Out-of-doors is the most

dangerous place to be

during a lightning storm.


Some places are more dangerous than others

• Near water (boating, fishing, beach)• Near trees (golfing, picnicking, camping)• On high places (Construction)• Other open areas (fields, hiking trails)• Near vehicles or planes (police, airport

baggage handlers, heavy equipment operators.


Significantly dangerous situations

WHEREVER PEOPLE CONGREGATE

Sporting Events

Concerts

Groups on bleachers, at recess, in huddles

People in close proximity with each other

People walking in groups


Camping is particularly dangerous in a lightning storm

The lightning season corresponds to the camping season.Some of the most dangerous areas are under trees, in open fields, under open awnings, near vehicles such as campers, bicycles, motorbikes.Most dangerous activities are on beaches, in boats, using tennis rackets, golf clubs, fishing rods.


myths

• Lightning never strikes twice.• Rubber tires will insulate from lightning.• Lightning strikes can be prevented.• First Strikes can be predicted.• New, high-tech lightning rods can control

lightning.


SAFETY RULES IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE


Go quickly inside a completely enclosed

building.

NOT IN A CARPORT

NOT IN AN OPEN GARAGE

NOT UNDER AN AWNING

NOT BY AN OPEN WINDOW


If no enclosed building is convenient

GET INSIDE A HARD-TOPPED

ALL-METAL VEHICLE.Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2006

CLOSE ALL WINDOWS

DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING METAL

INSIDE THE VEHICLE


Your RV or Camper is not safe in lightning storms!

• Rubber tires do not render a vehicle safe.

• Nonmetal or open-roofed structures do not protect from lightning.

• Awnings and Umbrellas are dangerous places to wait out a storm.


DO NOT TAKE SHELTER UNDER

A TREE!!!!Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2006

If there is no available shelter

Avoid being the tallest object in the area.

Crouch on the balls of your feet in the open, keeping twice away from a tree as it is tall.


If there is no available shelter

• DO NOT LAY FLAT ON THE GROUND… HAVE AS LITTLE CONTACT WITH THE GROUND AS POSSIBLE!

• Seek depressed areas, not hilltops or high places


AVOID LEANING AGAINST VEHICLES

GET OFF OF AND AWAY FROM BICYCLES AND

MOTORCYCLES.Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2006

STAY AWAY FROM WATERAvoid the beach and small boats

and canoes.

• If caught in a boat, crouch down in the center of the boat, away from metal hardware.


STAY AWAY FROM WATER

Avoid standing in puddles of water

Even when wearing rubber boots.


In addition to open spaces

AVOIDWIRE FENCESMETAL CLOTHES LINESEXPOSED SHEDSELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE ELEVATED OBJECTS (FLAGPOLES, ETC.)


IN STORMS, DO NOT USE METAL OBJECTS…

GOLF CLUBS

FISHING RODS

TENNIS RACKETS

TOOLSIndiana FCRV DAT Program 2006

DURING STORMS, DO NOT WORK ON

FENCES

TELEPHONE OR POWER LINES

PIPELINES

STEEL FABRICATIONS


DURING STORMS, DO NOT WORK ON

TRACTOR WORK, HEAVY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

DO NOT TOUCH OR SIT ON EQUIPMENT

DO NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER THE EQUIPMENT.


PARTICULARLY WHEN CAMPING IN A STORM

• AVOID CONGREGATING IN GROUPS.

• DO NOT HOLD HANDS WITH OTHERS.

• DO NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER AN AWNING.


OUT-OF-DOORS IS THE MOST

DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE DURING A

LIGHTNING STORM


What about indoor safety?


What makes a structure safe?

• OUTSIDE THE STRUCTURE–Outer shell–Metal gutters

and downspouts

• INSIDE THE STRUCTURE–Electrical

wiring–Phone lines–Plumbing

GROUNDING


Unless specifically designed to be lightning safe,small structures do

little, if anything, to protect from lightning.


A shelter that does not contain plumbing or wiring

or other grounding mechanism is not safe in a

lightning storm.


Most shelters are designed to protect from sun and

rain…

• Athletic fields• Golf Courses• Parks• Picnic areas• Schoolyards


Small unprotected buildings, barns, sheds,

tents and shelters are not lightening safe.


LIGHTNING ENTERS BUILDINGS IN THREE

WAYS

DIRECT STRIKES

WIRES AND PIPES

THROUGH THE GROUND


INSIDE A BUILDING, LIGHTNING TRAVELS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSTELEPHONE LINESPLUMBINGRADIO/TELEPHONE RECEPTION SYSTEMSMETAL WIRES OR BARS IN CONCRETE WALLS OR FLOORING


Corded Phone use is the

leading cause of indoor lightning injuries in the United States.


Stay away from windows and doors, as these can provide the path for a direct lightning strike.


Do not lie on the concrete floor of a

garage or lean against concrete walls.

These contain wire mesh or metal

reinforcing rods that can carry the current.


Avoid washers and dryers

They have contacts with the plumbing and

electrical systems, and also an electrical path to the outside through the

dryer vent!


Consider your Pets!


Consider your Pets!

• Doghouses are not lightning safe.

• Dogs chained to trees or wire runners can easily fall victim to a lightning strike. Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2006

Lightning can cause significant property

damage

• Direct strikes.• Electrical surges from distant

strikes.• Effect on electrical and

reception systems. Unplug before the storm hits!


SUMMARY OF INDOOR LIGHTNING SAFETY TIPS

• Avoid contact with corded phones• Avoid Contact with electrical

equipment or cords.• Avoid contact with plumbing.

– Do not wash your hands, take a shower, wash dishes or do laundry.

• Stay away from windows and doors. Stay off porches.


The 30-30 Rule• If the time between lightning and thunder is

30 seconds or less, go to a safer location.

• If the lightning can’t be seen, just hearing thunder means you should go to a safer location.

• Wait at least 30 minutes after hearing the last thunder before leaving the safer location.


Treat lightning like a snake

If you see it or hear it

Takeevasive

Measures.


Lightning

•If you can hear it, clear it.•If you can see it, flee it.


The End


spring and summer storms lightning and its dangers prepared by marilyn rausch indiana fcrv dat...

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