Page 11 - Southern Exposure - August '21

Southern Exposure, Page 11

NorthErN NotEs

Lightning Facts And Safety

By Katie Roundtree, Finance Director, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District
Lightning is one of the of which occur between late May and end of September. On of lightning casualties. Better to get wet than struck by lightning!
leading weather-related causes average, lightning kills more people in the United States than Safety Tips And Guidelines:
of death and injury in the United hurricanes or tornados. 1. There is no safe place outside during a lightning storm. If
States. Each year, there are about Why Florida? Partially due to its high heat levels, you are stuck outside during a storm, avoid standing around trees,
25 million cloud-to-ground high humidity, and location between the Gulf of Mexico standing in open areas or laying flat on the ground. Get inside!
lightning flashes and about and Atlantic Ocean: Rain clouds plus high heat equals 2. Get inside a fully enclosed building, not a gazebo, hut or
300 people struck by lightning. thunderstorms and lightning! cabana.
Florida is known as the lightning Here are a few myths and facts about lightning: 3. Remember the 30-30 rule: After you see lightning, start
capital of the United States, with Myth: Lightning never strikes the same place twice. counting to 30. If you hear thunder before you reach 30, go
storms occurring approximately Fact: There is no scientific reason why lightning can’t strike indoors. Suspend activities for at least 30 minutes after the last
100 days out of the year. the same place twice. Lightning often strikes the same place clap of thunder.
Although our entire state rates repeatedly. The Empire State Building is hit nearly 100 times a 4. Stay away from electronics, windows and plumbing that
as a high-risk area, the most dangerous areas are in Seminole year. can conduct electricity. Unplug appliances before the storm. Out
and Orange counties, in the middle of the state. Florida ranks Myth: If it’s not raining or there aren’t clouds overhead, of 1,000 incidents, most occurred in (descending order):
number one in the number of deaths due to lightning, 94 percent you’re safe from lightning. a. On the telephone
Fact: Lightning often strikes more than three miles from the b. In the kitchen
center of the thunderstorm, far outside the rainstorm cloud. “Bolts c. Doing laundry
from the blue” can strike 10 to 15 miles from the thunderstorm. d. Watching television
Myth: Rubber tires on a car protect you from lightning by e. At a door or open window
insulating you from the ground. 5. If there is no building nearby, the next best thing to do is
Fact: Most cars are safe from lightning; however, it is the to get inside a car or bus with a solid metal roof.
metal roof and metal sides that protect you, not the rubber tires. 6. If a car or building is not an option, seek lower elevation,
Myth: A lightning victim is electrified. If you touch them, get as low to the ground as you can without lying down and stay
you will be electrocuted. away from bodies of water.
Fact: The human body does not store electricity. It is perfectly 7. Do not raise umbrellas or golf clubs above you.
safe to touch a lightning victim to give them first aid. In summary “When thunder roars, go indoors!”
Myth: If outside in a thunderstorm, you should seek shelter NPDES tip: Your neighborhood drainage system is not
Tree struck by lightning in preserve next to a house in PGA under a tree to stay dry. a garbage disposal – please don’t treat it like one. Encourage
National Fact: Standing underneath a tree is the second leading cause residents to take responsibility and to not dump chemicals,
fertilizer, paint, oil, etc., in inlets or pipes. Discourage sweeping
of lawn clippings and dirt into street drains and disposing of
lawn clippings and other debris (wood, concrete blocks, trees,
etc.) directly into retention lakes. Keep drainage facilities clear of
vegetation, trash, improperly and illegally discarded appliances,
shopping carts, tires, cars, garbage bags, etc.
Photo by Sam Payson, Northern biologist

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