Page 5 - The Shores of Jupiter - August '21

The Shores, Page 5
Northern Notes

Lightning Facts And Safety Fact: Standing underneath a tree is the second leading
cause of lightning casualties. Better to get wet than struck
By Katie Roundtree, by lightning!
Finance Director, Northern Safety Tips And Guidelines:
Palm Beach County 1. There is no safe place outside during a lightning
Improvement District storm. If you are stuck outside during a storm, avoid
Lightning is one of the standing around trees, standing in open areas or laying
leading weather-related flat on the ground. Get inside!
causes of death and injury in 2. Get inside a fully enclosed building, not a gazebo,
the United States. Each year, hut or cabana.
there are about 25 million 3. Remember the 30-30 rule: After you see lightning,
cloud-to-ground lightning start counting to 30. If you hear thunder before you reach
flashes and about 300 people 30, go indoors. Suspend activities for at least 30 minutes
struck by lightning. Florida after the last clap of thunder.
is known as the lightning capital of the United States, with Tree struck by lightning in preserve next to a house in PGA 4. Stay away from electronics, windows and plumbing
storms occurring approximately 100 days out of the year. National that can conduct electricity. Unplug appliances before
Although our entire state rates as a high-risk area, the most Photo by Sam Payson, Northern biologist the storm. Out of 1,000 incidents, most occurred in
dangerous areas are in Seminole and Orange counties, in the (descending order):
middle of the state. Florida ranks number one in the number Fact: Lightning often strikes more than three miles a. On the telephone
of deaths due to lightning, 94 percent of which occur between from the center of the thunderstorm, far outside the b. In the kitchen
late May and end of September. On average, lightning kills rainstorm cloud. “Bolts from the blue” can strike 10 to c. Doing laundry
more people in the United States than hurricanes or tornados. 15 miles from the thunderstorm. d. Watching television
Why Florida? Partially due to its high heat levels, Myth: Rubber tires on a car protect you from lightning e. At a door or open window
high humidity, and location between the Gulf of Mexico by insulating you from the ground. 5. If there is no building nearby, the next best thing to
and Atlantic Ocean: Rain clouds plus high heat equals Fact: Most cars are safe from lightning; however, it do is to get inside a car or bus with a solid metal roof.
thunderstorms and lightning! is the metal roof and metal sides that protect you, not the 6. If a car or building is not an option, seek lower
Here are a few myths and facts about lightning: rubber tires. elevation, get as low to the ground as you can without
Myth: Lightning never strikes the same place twice. Myth: A lightning victim is electrified. If you touch lying down and stay away from bodies of water.
Fact: There is no scientific reason why lightning can’t them, you will be electrocuted. 7. Do not raise umbrellas or golf clubs above you.
strike the same place twice. Lightning often strikes the same Fact: The human body does not store electricity. It is In summary “When thunder roars, go indoors!”
place repeatedly. The Empire State Building is hit nearly 100 perfectly safe to touch a lightning victim to give them NPDES tip: Your neighborhood drainage system is
times a year. first aid. not a garbage disposal – please don’t treat it like one.
Myth: If it’s not raining or there aren’t clouds overhead, Myth: If outside in a thunderstorm, you should seek Encourage residents to take responsibility and to not
you’re safe from lightning. shelter under a tree to stay dry. 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
Apply Early into retention lakes. Keep drainage facilities clear of
T h e De p a rt m e nt o f St a t e vegetation, trash, improperly and illegally discarded
recommends travelers apply for appliances, shopping carts, tires, cars, garbage bags, etc.
their passport at least six months in
advance of a planned trip.
Clerk Alert Go Online To Schedule An Appointment With My Bill’s Box from page 1
Office
Visit mypalmbeachclerk.com/passports to request a today. It has the highest rate of new COVID-19 cases in
Plan Ahead And Apply For Your Passport passport application appointment. We accept passport the United States and is near the bottom of dispensing
applications at our offices in Belle Glade, Delray Beach vaccine. Its governor is conducting a serious campaign
Mail delays are significantly impacting how long it and Palm Beach Gardens. to convince residents to overcome vaccine hesitancy.
takes to get a passport. Make Sure To Bring Your Identification With You In face-to-face meetings, he is being met with distrust
If your future travel plans require a passport, make When You Apply and hostility. One person said he questioned the safety
sure you allow plenty of time to complete the application For a checklist of the items that you must bring with of the vaccine and does not trust information from the
process. you, including your photo identification and proof of federal government. The governor attempted to assure
The U.S. Department of State recently warned my office citizenship, visit the Department of State’s website at that all studies have shown the vaccines to be safe
that mail delays are significantly impacting processing times travel.state.gov/passports. and effective. All fell on deaf ears. Just 35 percent of
for passport applications. Routine service can take up to 18 We know that many people are eager to travel, and our Arkansas population is fully vaccinated and 98 percent
weeks from the day you submit your application. Expedited team is committed to making it easy and convenient for of those hospitalized in Arkansas due to COVID-19
service can take up to 12 weeks. you to apply for your passport at our office. were unvaccinated.
We are here to help you plan ahead and avoid delays Last month, we helped more than 350 families apply Now here is the kicker. The highly contagious Delta
that may affect your trip. for their passports during our after-hours Pop-Up Passport variant is driving up COVID-19 cases around the
As a Passport Acceptance Facility, our certified passport Days. We plan to hold more of these special events in the country. The irresponsible and reactionary behavior
acceptance agents assist with the application process coming months. of those who deny proven science threatens Florida
by verifying that you have completed the correct forms I encourage you to follow @ClerkPBC on Facebook, populations. That is us, folks! What the hell is to be
and included all of the necessary documents with your Twitter and Instagram for the latest information on our done? When do we return to abnormal? Confined to
application. Verified applications are then sent to the Pop-Up Passport Days and other important news. home, wearing masks and ruining businesses. That
Department of State for processing and review. Regards, raises the question of whether there is justification
To ensure you receive your passport in time for your Joseph Abruzzo, of requiring vaccinations in the interest of the vast
scheduled trip: Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller majority of our country’s population to save ourselves
from a non-caring minority. The federal government
saw fit to deny us of alcohol in the 1920s, and that
Peripheral wasn’t even reasonable.
Well, this segment made me tired, stressed. What was
Neuropathy? it I said about the news media? I am not a part of that
onslaught and you only have to read me once a month.
*****
Copy Deadline For September Is Aug. 15.
FREE Consultation Send suggestions, letters to the editor or articles by
using my most reliable email address: billthompsonsoj@
for Acupuncture gmail.com.

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