Lightning Safety Lightning--The Underrated Thunderstorm Hazard Dr. Hamid K. Rassoul Director, Geospace Physics Laboratory Florida Tech, Melbourne, Florida Acknowledgment: Slides are from 45 th Weather Squadron --Mr. William P. Roeder Physics of Atmosphere Class – Florida Tech

Courtesy National Lightning Safety Institute

Total Lightning Safety: Multi-Tiered Approach SOAP Forecasting Protection Mitigation Education Lightning Safety!

Total Lightning Safety: Multi-Tiered Approach SOAP Forecasting Protection Mitigation Education Lightning Safety! Education

Purpose Summarize Lightning Safety Information

Overview LIGHTNING IMPACTS LIGHTNING SAFETY GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS OTHER CONSIDERATIONS PUBLIC EDUCATION IS KEY! More Education Needed!

Lightning Impacts LIGHTNING 2nd Leading Cause Of Storm Deaths In U.S. Kills More Than Hurricanes And Tornadoes Combined! Kills ~ 100 / Year Kills ~ 10% Of Those Struck Elusive Data % Under-Reported

Survivors Are Even Greater Tragedy! Injures ~750 / Year Most Suffer Life-Long Severe Injury Many Are Debilitated Elusive Data % Under-Reported Extremely Variable Symptoms. Intensity Can Be Severe. Memory Loss Sleep Disturbance Attention Deficit Dizziness Fatigue Problems Joint Stiffness Irritability Temper Hearing Loss Severe Headaches Coordination Problems Many Others Lightning Impacts (con’t.) Courtesy of National Lightning Safety Institute

$5 Billion Annual Impact In U.S. Airline ($2B) Insurance ($1B) 1 Claim / 57 Flashes Power Industry ($1B) Residential Fires ($147M) Forest Fires ($20 M) Electronics ($?) Data From National Lightning Safety Institute Lightning Impacts (con’t.) Courtesy of National Lightning Safety Institute

Dr. Richard Orville, Texas A&M University Florida -- Thunderstorm Capital Of U.S.! Lightning Impacts (con’t.)

Courtesy of NWS/Melbourne Central Florida = “Lightning Alley” Tampa To Titusville Lightning Impacts (con’t.)

Lightning Is Leading Cause Of Weather Deaths In Florida Lightning Impacts (con’t.) Courtesy of NWS/Melbourne

Lightning Impacts (con’t.) Florida Leads U.S. In Lightning Deaths And Lightning Casualties LIGHTNING INJURIES 1. FLORIDA 2. MI 3. PA 4. NC 5. OH 6. NY 7. TX 8. TN 9. ME 10. GA LIGHTNING DEATHS 1. FLORIDA 2. TX 3. NC 4. NY 5. OH 6. TN 7. LA 8. MD 9. PA 10. AR Some States Larger In Area And Population. Beware Reporting Biases.

When Thunderstorms Nearby, Avoid These Activities Like Your Life Depends On It -- It Does! Radios and Equipment (2.8%) Golf (5.8%) Telephone (4.7%) Farm and Heavy Equipment (8.6%) Golf and Trees (1.1%) Lightning Casualties In FL ( ) Open Fields (42.9%) Under Trees (12.0%) Water (22.1%) Lightning Impacts (con’t.)

Despite Large Impacts... Relatively Little Done To Study Lightning One Victim (91%), Two+ Victims (9%) Almost Nothing Done To Forecast Lightning Nationally, NWS Doesn’t Forecast Lightning Kudos! NWS / Melbourne Providing Lightning Information In Forecasts / Warnings You Are Responsible For Your Own Lightning Safety! ? Lightning Impacts (con’t.)

‘LSG’ Recommendations LIGHTNING SAFETY GROUP 16 Lightning Experts From Diverse Disciplines (Jan 98) Universities National Labs Operational Meteorology Medicine Industry Safety Insurance Education Athletics Goal: Standardize Lightning Safety Advice Much Of Previous Advice Contradictory, Incomplete, Incorrect, Or Even Unsafe!

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) 6 Safety Guidelines For... Safer And Unsafe Locations In Thunderstorms Individuals Small Groups Large Groups Important Components Of An Action Plan First Aid For Lightning Victims NCAA Adopted Guidelines (1998) Clear Creek School District (2000) Houston, TX

No Guidelines 100% Safe ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) Lightning Is Like An 800 Pound Gorilla! Q: What Does An 800 Pound Gorilla Eat? A: Anything It Wants Too! Q: Where Does Lightning Strike? A: Anywhere It Wants Too!! = 800 Pounds

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) SOAP

Safer And Unsafe Locations In Thunderstorms No Place Absolutely Safe From Lightning Safer Location #1 Large Enclosed Substantially Constructed Buildings E.g. Typical Home ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) OKAY!

Houses Are Safer, But Need To Avoid... Contact With Conducting Path To Outside Don’t Use Telephone (corded) Avoid Electrical Appliances (TV, Computer, Wires, Etc.) Avoid Plumbing -- Don’t Shower, Wash Dishes, Etc. Avoid Metal Doors And Window Frames Inner Rooms Are Better Lightning Is Electricity, And Will Always Follow The Path Of Least Resistance ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) OKAY!

DON’T Use Telephone! Perfect Lightning Death Machine! Miles Of Elevated Wires, Conducting Path To Inside House, Which You Aim At Your Head! 2.4% Of Lightning Deaths On Phone Half The Death Rate Of Golfing! ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) OKAY! Cordless Phone Okay, If Several Body Lengths Away From Base Station - But Base Station Should Be Unplugged, So...

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) Safer Locations (con’t.) Fully Enclosed Metal Vehicles (Cars, Buses, Etc.) Close Windows Avoid Contact With Conducting Path To Outside Metal Enclosure, Not The Rubber Tires, Makes It Safe! OKAY!

It’s The Metal Shell That Protects You Just Don’t Touch the Metal! Note Current Arcing Across Tires - Lightning Laughs At 2 Inches Of Rubber!

Unsafe Locations High Places / Open Fields Isolated Trees Towers / Poles (Light Poles, Flag Poles, Telephone Poles, Etc.) Unprotected Pavilions, Rain / Picnic Shelters Baseball Dugouts Convertible Cars Golf Carts Water (Swimming Pool, Ocean, Lake, Rivers, Etc.) Indoor / Outdoor Pools Bleachers (Metal Or Wood) Metal Fences / Structures ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

Not A Good Time To Be On A Ferris Wheel!

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) Unsafe Locations (con’t.) Side Flash Steam Explosion Ground Streamers Upward Streamers Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Lightning EMP ~ Nuclear Explosion No Place Outside Is Safe Near A Thunderstorm!

Side Flash

Steam Explosion

Ground Streamer

Upward Streamers

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) Unsafe Locations (con’t.) Some Places Much Less Safe Than Others But No Place Outside Is Safe Near A Thunderstorm Seek Shelter!

Doesn’t Always Strike Tallest Object!

Doesn’t Always Strike The Highest Place!

Seek Proper Shelter Buildings Much Better Than Vehicles Large, Fully Enclosed, Substantially Built Vehicles Offer Some Safety No Place Outside Is Safe Near A Thunderstorm Near  6 Miles ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) Relative Lightning Protection Lightning Certified Facility Outdoors Lightning Protected Building

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) Safety For Individuals “30 / 30 Rule” -- Lightning Can Strike Long Distances! If 30 Secs Or Less “Flash To Bang”, Seek Shelter Wait 30 Min After Last Lightning, Before Leaving Shelter Most Casualties Before, And Especially After, TSTMs May Seem Too Conservative--It’s NOT! If You Can Hear Thunder / See Lightning, Seek Shelter 56 Nm CG-Lightning Documented! - Anvil Lightning - Rare Distance! 30 “Bolt From The Blue” ~15 Nm “Bolt From The Blue” Not Uncommon 30

Courtesy of NWS/Melbourne ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) Seconds: People Don’t Realize The Long Distances Lightning Can Strike 30 Minutes: People Don’t Realize How Long Lightning Can Linger 30 (Similar Across U.S.)

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) 30 Seconds/30 Minutes: People Don’t React To Low Flash Rates Well Courtesy of NWS/Melbourne 30 (Similar Across U.S.)

Safety For Individuals (con’t.) “30 / 30 Rule” -- Poor Protection For... Thunderstorms Forming Near-By If First Lightning Is Ground Strike 23% In East Central Florida A Significant Fraction Of Time, Even If First Lightning Is Aloft, Seek Shelter Immediately, Next Bolt Could Be Aimed At You! Watch The Skies, Take Shelter Before First Lightning ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

Safety For Individuals (con’t.) Watch Weather Forecasts Use NOAA Weather Radio & Creditable Lightning Detectors Don’t Let It Override Good Sense Be Aware Of Local Weather--Use Good Sense ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

Proceed To Safest Spot Possible Lightning Is Imminent If... Tingling Skin, Hair Sticking Out, “Kee-Kee” Sound Metal Vibrating (Zippers, Golf Clubs, Etc.), St. Elmo’s Fire If Lightning Is Imminent... Separate From Others By Several Body Lengths Use “Lightning Crouch” Balance Between Low Height & Little Area Touching Ground Do NOT Lie Flat On Ground! Proceed To Safest Spot Possible Lightning Is Imminent If... Tingling Skin, Hair Sticking Out, “Kee-Kee” Sound Metal Vibrating (Zippers, Golf Clubs, Etc.), St. Elmo’s Fire If Lightning Is Imminent... Separate From Others By Several Body Lengths Use “Lightning Crouch” Balance Between Low Height & Little Area Touching Ground Do NOT Lie Flat On Ground! LAST RESORT! Safety For Individuals (con’t.) LAST RESORT! If Trapped In An Unsafe Location...

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) Safety For Small Groups (Evacuation Time < 10 Min) Action Plan Must Be Known By All In Advance Pre-Identify / Inform Everyone Of Safe Shelters Leaders / Other Adults Must Be Responsible For Children Monitor Weather Forecasts Beforehand Designate A Person To Monitor Weather Throughout Activity If No One Appointed, No One Will Do It! Continually Observe The Local Weather Remember ‘30 / 30 Rule’ Use NOAA Weather Radio & Lightning Detectors Inform Everyone As Potential Threats Develop Implement Action Plan ‘30 / 30 Rule’ Can Be Used To Decide To Resume Activity Don’t Jump The Gun To Restart! 30

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) ‘Florida Today’ (26 Apr 99) Sports Has Fastest Rising Lightning Casualty Rate ‘Soccer Moms & Dads’, Please Note! Don’t “Tough It Out”, Postpone The Game! Remember Congo, Oct People Killed In Soccer Match!

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) Safety For Large Groups (Evacuation Time > 10 Min) Action Plan Must Be Known In Advance Adults Must Be Responsible For Children In Their Care Rest Very Similar To ‘Safety For Small Groups’. But Allow Longer Lead-Times To Evacuate Larger Groups Extend “Warning” Range Be Prepared For More False Alarms Due to Isolated Thunderstorms, That Attendees May Never See Forewarned Is Very Much Forearmed! Lightning May Strike Many Miles From Edge Of Thunderstorm Acceptable Downtime Must Be Balanced With Risk Of Life Accepting Responsibility For Larger Groups Of People Requires More Sophistication And Diligence

‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) Important Components Of An Action Plan Event Managers Designate Person(s) As Weather Monitor Monitoring Should Begin Hours, Even Days, Before Event Forewarned Is Very Much Forearmed! Protocol Needed Beforehand On Notifying Attendees A Team May Be Needed To Implement / Coordinate Evacuation, Depending On Size Of Crowd Pre-Identify / Inform All Of Safe Shelters And Routes Buses Are Good Shelter And Can Be Pre-Positioned “All Clear” Must Be Pre-Identified And Be Considerably Different Than “Warning Signal” Periodically Review / Train / Drill Action Plan

SOAP ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

First-Aid For Lightning Victims Call ‘911’ Don’t Expose Yourself To Risk If In High Risk Area With Continuing Thunderstorm, Stay In Shelter Usually Okay To Move Lightning Victim From High Risk To Lower Risk Area Contrary To Normal First-Aid, But Lightning Rarely Causes Major Fractures / Internal Damage, Unless Person Fell Or Thrown Minimize Your Exposure To Lightning Risk ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) Dr. Cooper, M.D. Univ Illinois, Chicago

First-Aid For Lightning Victims (con’t.) If Not Breathing / No Pulse, Apply Mouth-To-Mouth Resuscitation / CPR If Moving Victim, Give A few Breaths First Still Give CPR, If Unconscious With Intermittent Spasmodic Gasping And Widely Spaced Pulse (~10 sec) Agonistic Breathing -- Oxygen Not Getting To Brain If Outside, Beware Hypothermia If Victim Recovers, Usually Happens In A Few Minutes ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

MYTH: Lightning Is Guaranteed Death Only ~ 10% Killed MYTH!: Lightning Victim Is Electrified--Don’t Touch, Or Be Electrocuted It Is Safe To Apply First-Aid! High Chance Of Success! But Beware Downed Live Wires In Thunderstorms; Touching Victim Then Is Dangerous ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) MYTH: Lightning Instantly Turns You Into A Burnt Corpse First-Aid For Lightning Victims (con’t.)

Other Considerations Protect Your Pets! Courtesy ‘Weather Channel’

Other Considerations (con’t.) Unplug Valuable Electronics, BEFORE! Lightning Threat Plug-In Surge Protector Worthless For Direct Lightning Strike! Turn Off, If Left Plugged-In (Use Remote, If Available)

If On The Water During A Thunderstorm Go To Lowest Part Of Boat, Use ‘Lightning Crouch’ Avoid Tall Parts Of Boat (Sail Mast) Avoid Metal Objects Boating Safety Slow Response Time Be Extra Aware Of Forecast Schedule Accordingly Be Extra Aware Of Local Weather React Accordingly Lightning Protection Equipment Available For Larger Boats Univ. Of Florida -- Boating Lightning Protection And Safety Other Considerations (con’t.) Courtesy of South East Climate Center Water Activities (Including Boating), Are A Close 2nd For Lightning Fatalities

When Thunderstorms Are Nearby, You Have A Choice Seek Shelter, Or Else This Could Happen To You! Exploded Tree! Wrap Up

When Thunderstorms Are Nearby, You Have A Choice Seek Shelter, Or Else This Could Happen To You! Runway At Eglin AFB, FL (May 99) Wrap Up (con’t.)

When Thunderstorms Are Nearby, You Have A Choice Seek Shelter, Or Else This Could Happen To You! Louisiana State Memorial (May, Jul 99) Stone Exploded! 3 Ton Blocks Moved!

Wrap Up (con’t.) When Thunderstorms Are Nearby, You Have A Choice Seek Shelter, Or Else This Could Happen To You! Chinese Crested Dog

Lightning Safety Web-Sites 45 WS Lightning Safety Web-Page: - National Severe Storms Laboratory: - Downloadable coloring books on various weather safety topics - National Weather Service / Melbourne, FL: - National Lightning Safety Institute: - lightningsafety.com/index.html Lightning Injury Research: - Lightning Strike & Electric Shock Survivors International: - University Of Florida -- Boating Lightning Protection & Safety: ‘USA Today’: - Global Atmospherics, Inc. (National Lightning Detection Network): -

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Summary Lightning Is Extremely Significant Hazard, But Far Too Often Underrated Lightning Safety Group Recommendations Can Help People Improve Their Lightning Safety Public Education is Key -- You Can Help!

Courtesy ‘USA Today’ 30 Review

Courtesy Univ. Illinois At Chicago

Lightning Safety See also the Lightning Safety Tips at : See also the Lightning Safety Tips at : Back-Up Slides Questions?

Want to educate others on lightning safety? Low Fatality Rate -- Flash Over Lightning Capital Of The World 45 SW / KSC Advisories FL Lightning Casualty Activities Boating And Lightning Lightning Safety

Flash Over Feb 96, Los Angeles Man High On PCP

Flash Over (con’t.) Touches High Voltage Wire - 16,600 V!

Man Thrown Clear Flash Over (con’t.)

Arm Legs Side Flash Most Of Current “Flashed Over” The Outside Of His Body, Super-Heated The Air, But Not Him He Is Inside The Fireball! Flash Over (con’t.)

Lightning Capital Of The World Tropical Africa Has 3x As Many Thunderstorm-Days As Central Florida

KSC / 45 SW On 45 SW/KSC, 45 WS Protects You! Phase-1, Lightning Watch: Lightning Is Expected In 30 Min Within 5 NM Of The Point Phase-2, Lightning Warning: Lightning Is Imminent Or Occurring Within 5 NM Of The Point Issued For 4 Points On KSC, 6 Points On CCAFS, PAFB, Joint Stars At Melbourne, Astrotech In Titusville Lightning Advisory: Lightning Observed Within 25 NM Of CCAFS USAF Adopted 2-Tier Approach In 1997

#1: Open Fields #2: Water Activities (Close 2nd) #3: Under Trees Courtesy of South East Climate Center (Similar Across U.S.) FL Lightning Casualties

#1: Open Fields #2: Water Activities #3: Under Trees Courtesy of South East Climate Center (Similar Across U.S.) FL Lightning Casualties (con’t.)

If On The Water During A Thunderstorm Go To Lowest Part Of Boat, Use ‘Lightning Crouch’ Avoid Tall Parts Of Boat (Sail Mast) Avoid Metal Objects Boating Safety Slow Response Time Be Extra Aware Of Forecast Schedule Accordingly Be Extra Aware Of Local Weather React Accordingly Lightning Protection Equipment Available For Larger Boats Univ. Of Florida -- Boating Lightning Protection And Safety Other Considerations (con’t.) Courtesy of South East Climate Center (Similar Across U.S.) Water Activities (Including Boating), Are A Close 2nd For Lightning Fatalities