Lightning is one of the most underrated severe weather hazards, yet ranks as the second-leading weather killer in the United States. More deadly than hurricanes or tornadoes, lightning strikes in America each year kill an average of 73 people and injure about 300 others, according to NOAA's National Weather Service.
The number of people killed by lightning is greater than the number of fatalities caused by tornadoes or hurricanes. In 2000, 51 were fatally hit by lightning, compared to 37 flood deaths and 29 tornado deaths.
Lightning casualties occur year-round, although the summer months are the most dangerous. Florida leads the nation in lightning strikes, with a daily average of more than 3,500, and ranks first in lightning-related deaths. Overall, 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes occur in the United States each year.
| | | Fast Facts | 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes occur in the United States each year.
The air within a lightning strike can reach 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lightning can heat its path five times hotter than the surface of the sun.
One ground lightning strike can generate between 100 million and 1 billion volts of electricity.Click here for a map showing which parts of the U.S. had the most lightning strikes for 1996-2000.
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The Warning Signs
High winds, rainfall and a darkening cloud cover are the warning signs for possible cloud-to-ground lightning strikes. While many lightning casualties happen at the beginning of an approaching storm, more than 50 percent of lightning deaths occur after the thunderstorm has passed. The lightning threat diminishes after the last sound of thunder, but may persist for more than 30 minutes. When thunderstorms are in the area, but not overhead, the lightning threat can still exist even when skies are clear as lightning can strike as much as 10 miles away.Lightning Safety Tips From NOAA
NOAA cautions that no lightning safety guidelines can guarantee absolute safety, but these steps may help you avoid lightning injuries.
If you are planning to be outside, watch the weather forecast and know your local weather patterns. Plan around the weather to avoid the lightning hazard.If you are going to be outside anyway, stay near proper sheltr and use the "30-30 Rule" to know when to seek proper shelter. When you see lightning, count the time until you hear thunder. If this time is 30 seconds or less, seek proper shelter. If you can't see the lightning, just hearing the thunder is a good back-up rule. Wait 30 minutes or more after hearing the last thunder before leaving shelter.Seek proper shelter when required. Don't hesitate, seek shelter immediately. The lightning casualty stories are replete with events where people were about to make it to shelter when they were struck - if they'd just started a minute earlier, they'd have been safe. The best shelter commonly available against lightning is a large fully enclosed substantially constructed building - your typical house. Once inside, stay away from any conducting path to the outside. Stay off the corded telephone. Stay away from electrical appliances, lighting and electric sockets. Stay away from plumbing. Don't watch lightning from windows or doorways. Inner rooms are generally better. If you can't get to a house, a vehicle with a solid metal roof and metal sides is a reasonable second choice. Convertibles, cars with fiberglass or plastic shells, and open framed vehicles don't count as lightning shelters. Cars are safe because of their metal shell. If you can't get to a proper lightning shelter, at least avoid the most dangerous locations and activities. Avoid higher elevations. Avoid wide-open areas, including sports fields. Avoid tall isolated objects like trees, poles and light posts. Avoid water-related activities: boating, swimming (including indoor pools) and fishing. Avoid golfing. Avoid open vehicles like farm tractors, open construction vehicles, riding lawnmowers and golf carts (even with roofs). Avoid unprotected open buildings like picnic pavilions, rain shelters and bus stops. Avoid metal fences and metal bleachers. Most importantly, do not go under trees to keep dry during thunderstorms.Use this as a desperate last resort only. If you've made several bad decisions and are outside far away from proper shelter and lightning threatens, proceed to the safest location. If lightning is imminent, it will sometimes give a very few seconds of warning. Sometimes your hair will stand-up on end, your skin will tingle, light metal objects will vibrate or you'll hear a crackling or a "kee-kee" sound. If this happens and you're in a group, spread out so there are several body lengths between each person. If one person is struck, the others may not be hit and can give first aid. Once you've spread out, use the lightning crouch: put your feet together, squat down, tuck your head, and cover your ears. When the immediate threat of lightning has passed, continue heading to the safest spot possible. Remember, this is a desperate last resort - you are much safer having followed the previous steps and not gotten into this high-risk situation.
All deaths from lightning are from cardiac arrest nd a halt in breathing. CPR and mouth-to-mouth-resuscitation are the recommended first aid, respectively. It is perfectly safe to touch a lightning victim to give them first aid. ©MMI, CBS Worldwide Inc. All Rights Reserved