CRAIGHEAD COUNTY

OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

 

Thunderstorm Safety

All thunderstorms produce lightening.   If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storms to be struck.  Take protective actions.  Move inside.  It need not be raining!

Lightning can strike 10 to 15 miles away from the rain portion of the storm! These lightning strikes come out of the upper portions of the thunderstorm cloud which extends 50 to 10 miles into the atmosphere.

In general, lightning will travel to the easiest route from the cloud to ground which means that it often strikes the highest object.  Therefore, a simple rule is do not make yourself the tallest object or stand near the tallest object in your immediate surrounding.

For instance, do not stand in an open field, on a beach, or on a hill top.  Do not stand under an isolated or large tree, or near a pole.  Do not stay out on a boat.

When lightning strikes, the current will travel through the object, along the ground, along wire, metal, and water.  Most lightning injuries occur in this manner.  The electrical current will travel the easiest route.  Stay away from metal objects such as fences, poles, equipment, pipes, etc.  Get rid of metal objects on your body such as coins, money clips, hair pins, jewelry, etc.  Stay away from water.  Inside, stay away from electrical appliances, televisions, and telephones.  Only use the phone in an emergency.

    If caught outside and a thunderstorm approaches:

1. Move into a building.  Stay away from doors and windows.
2. If a building is not available, get inside a car (hardtop--not a convertible) and keep windows rolled up.       
3. If there are no cars or buildings:
a. in a forest, look for a low area under thick growth of small trees.
b. in an open area, go to a low place, preferably a ravine or valley.
4. If in a group of people, spread out, keeping several yards apart from each other.
5. If you feel your hair stand on end, you are in immediate danger of being struck. Unless you can instantly jump inside a shelter, drop to a crouching position, bending forward and keeping your feet close together with your hands on your knees.  The object is to be as low to the ground as possible, and yet have as little of your body surface touching the ground as possible.