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 10 to 50 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:
Move into a building. Stay away from doors and windows.
- If a building is
not available, get inside a car (hardtop--not a convertible)
and keep windows rolled up.
- If there are no cars or buildings:
- In a forest, look for a low area under thick growth
of small trees.
- In an open area, go to a low place, preferably a ravine
or valley.
- If in a group of people, spread out, keeping several
yards apart from each other.
- 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.
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