Chapter 17 – Thunderstorms

 

Although the chances of getting struck by lightning are 1 in 600,000, lightning does kill and injure people each year. The best thing to do is try to avoid activity outside during a storm. Unfortunately it’s possible to be caught off-guard. If you are outside when a thunderstorm occurs, here are some things you can do to maintain a high level of safety.

 

The first thing you’ll notice if a thunderstorm is coming your way is the lightning and thunder from a distance. If it is too far away to hear, consider leaving your area if you’re outside and finding shelter. It’s possible that the storm is moving toward you, and it’s much safer to be indoors.

 

If the thunderstorm is already in your area, you should try and find cover. If you can’t make it home, it’s recommended that you get inside your car. Lightning can still strike your vehicle, but it won’t be as damaging as lightning striking your directly.

 

If you feel tingly, or your hair stands on end, you should squat down on your knees and put your hands over your ears. Those two signs lead to a strong chance of getting struck by lightning. If you’re around a lot of people, make sure that there is a good amount of space between everyone; otherwise the lightning could jump from person to person.

 

If you’re in a forest, find a cluster of smaller trees to stand near. Be aware of your surrounding and look out for struck trees that may fall. If you’re in a flat area, try to find an area with lower elevation. Lightning usually strikes places with higher elevation. The risk you’ll have to lookout for in this case is flash flooding. If you are swimming when a lightning strike occurs, immediately return to dry land and find shelter.

The best ways to avoid thunderstorms are to not be around as they’re occurring. That isn’t always possible but as long as you are aware of the signs that one is close by, you’ll have more chances to return to safety.