Check out this great information from Jim Stefkovich, Meteorologist in Charge, NWS, Birmingham
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
640 AM CDT THU JUN 23 2011
..THIS WEEK IS NATIONAL LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK
TODAY’S TOPIC IS SAFE SHELTERS AND INDOOR LIGHTNING SAFETY.
LIGHTNING KILLS–PLAY IT SAFE!
A HOUSE OR OTHER SUBSTANTIAL STRUCTURE OFFERS THE BEST PROTECTION
FROM LIGHTNING. FOR SHELTERS TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION, THEY
MUST BE WELL GROUNDED. A STRUCTURE CAN BE GROUNDED ON THE OUTSIDE,
WITHIN THE WALLS, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH. MANY SMALL, OPEN
SHELTERS ON ATHLETIC FIELDS, GOLF COURSES, ROADSIDE PICNIC AREAS,
SCHOOL YARDS, AND ELSEWHERE ARE DESIGNED TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM RAIN
AND SUN, BUT NOT LIGHTNING. SHELTERS THAT DO NOT CONTAIN PLUMBING
OR WIRING OR SOME OTHER MECHANISM FOR GROUNDING ARE NOT SAFE.
SMALL, WOOD, VINYL, OR METAL SHEDS PROVIDE NO PROTECTION FROM
LIGHTNING AND SHOULD BE AVOIDED DURING THUNDERSTORMS.
ONCE LIGHTNING ENTERS A BUILDING, IT CAN TRAVEL THROUGH ELECTRICAL
LINES, PHONE LINES, PLUMBING, AND RADIO AND TV RECEPTION SYSTEMS.
PHONE USE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF INDOOR LIGHTNING INJURIES IN THE
UNITED STATES. IN ADDITION, LIGHTNING CAN TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES IN
BOTH PHONE AND ELECTRICAL WIRES, PARTICULARLY IN RURAL AREAS.
TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY, STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND
OUTSIDE DOORS AS THESE CAN PROVIDE A PATH FOR A DIRECT STRIKE TO
ENTER A BUILDING. DO NOT LIE ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR OF A GARAGE AS
IT IS LIKELY TO CONTAIN A WIRE MESH THAT CAN CONDUCT ELECTRICITY.
AVOID CONTACT WITH PLUMBING. THIS INCLUDES WASHING YOUR HANDS,
TAKING A SHOWER OR BATH, WASHING DISHES, OR DOING LAUNDRY. IN
GENERAL, A BASEMENT IS A SAFE PLACE TO GO DURING A THUNDERSTORM.
HOWEVER, WHILE IN THE BASEMENT, AVOID CONTACT WITH CONCRETE WALLS AS
THEY MAY CONTAIN METAL REINFORCING BARS.
LIGHTNING ALSO CAUSES SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY EACH
YEAR. IN ADDITION TO A DIRECT STRIKE, LIGHTNING GENERATES ELECTRICAL
SURGES THAT CAN DAMAGE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT SOME DISTANCE FROM THE
ACTUAL STRIKE. TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, UNPLUG ANY APPLIANCES OR
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT WELL BEFORE THE THUNDERSTORM THREATENS. DO NOT
FORGET TO DISCONNECT TELEVISIONS AND RADIOS FROM OUTDOOR ANTENNAS.
IF YOU PLAN TO BE AWAY FROM YOUR HOME WHEN THUNDERSTORMS ARE
POSSIBLE, BE SURE TO UNPLUG UNNEEDED EQUIPMENT BEFORE YOU LEAVE.
FRIDAY’S TOPIC WILL BE THE MEDICAL ASPECTS OF LIGHTNING.
IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LIGHTNING SAFETY, GO TO
WWW.LIGHTNINGSAFETY.NOAA.GOV.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
JIM STEFKOVICH
METEOROLOGIST IN CHARGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
BIRMINGHAM, AL
205-664-3010
