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Lightning Safety Lightning-- The Underrated Thunderstorm Hazard Dr. Hamid K. Rassoul

Physics of Atmosphere Class – Florida Tech. Lightning Safety Lightning-- The Underrated Thunderstorm Hazard Dr. Hamid K. Rassoul Director, Geospace Physics Laboratory Florida Tech, Melbourne, Florida rassoul@fit.edu

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Lightning Safety Lightning-- The Underrated Thunderstorm Hazard Dr. Hamid K. Rassoul

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

  2. Courtesy National Lightning Safety Institute

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

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

  5. Purpose Summarize Lightning Safety Information

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

  7. 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 • 30 - 50% Under-Reported

  8. Survivors Are Even Greater Tragedy! • Injures ~750 / Year • Most Suffer Life-Long Severe Injury • Many Are Debilitated • Elusive Data • 40 - 70% Under-Reported • Extremely Variable Symptoms. Intensity Can Be Severe. • Memory Loss • Sleep Disturbance • Attention Deficit • Dizziness • Fatigue Problems • Joint Stiffness Courtesy of National Lightning Safety Institute • Irritability • Temper • Hearing Loss • Severe Headaches • Coordination Problems • Many Others Lightning Impacts (con’t.)

  9. $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 Courtesy of National Lightning Safety Institute Lightning Impacts (con’t.)

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

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

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

  13. Florida Leads U.S. In Lightning Deaths And Lightning Casualties 1959-1996 LIGHTNING DEATHS 1. FLORIDA 2. TX 3. NC 4. NY 5. OH 6. TN 7. LA 8. MD 9. PA 10. AR LIGHTNING INJURIES 1. FLORIDA 2. MI 3. PA 4. NC 5. OH 6. NY 7. TX 8. TN 9. ME 10. GA Some States Larger In Area And Population. Beware Reporting Biases. Lightning Impacts (con’t.)

  14. Golf and Trees(1.1%) Radios and Equipment(2.8%) Open Fields(42.9%) Telephone(4.7%) Water(22.1%) Golf(5.8%) UnderTrees(12.0%) Farm andHeavy Equipment(8.6%) Lightning Casualties In FL (1959-1993) Lightning Impacts (con’t.) When Thunderstorms Nearby, Avoid These Activities Like Your Life Depends On It -- It Does!

  15. ? 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 • www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb • You Are Responsible For Your Own Lightning Safety!

  16. 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

  17. ‘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

  18. = 800 Pounds ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) • No Guidelines 100% Safe • Lightning Is Like An 800 Pound Gorilla! • Q: Where Does Lightning Strike? • Q: What Does An 800 Pound Gorilla Eat? A: Anything It Wants Too! A: Anywhere It Wants Too!!

  19. No Place Outside Is Safe Near A Thunderstorm! SOAP ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

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

  21. OKAY! ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) • 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

  22. OKAY! ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) • 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! Cordless Phone Okay, If Several Body Lengths Away From Base Station - But Base Station Should Be Unplugged, So . . .

  23. OKAY! ‘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!

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

  25. ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) • 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

  26. Not A Good Time To Be On A Ferris Wheel!

  27. ‘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!

  28. Side Flash

  29. Steam Explosion

  30. Ground Streamer

  31. Upward Streamers

  32. ‘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!

  33. Doesn’t Always Strike Tallest Object!

  34. Doesn’t Always Strike The Highest Place!

  35. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Lightning Certified Facility Lightning Protected Building Relative Lightning Protection Outdoors ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) • 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

  36. 30 30 30 30 “Bolt From The Blue” ‘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 ~15 Nm “Bolt From The Blue” Not Uncommon 56 Nm CG-Lightning Documented! - Anvil Lightning - Rare Distance!

  37. 30 30 Courtesy of NWS/Melbourne ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) 30 Seconds:People Don’t RealizeThe Long DistancesLightning Can Strike 30 Minutes:People Don’t RealizeHow LongLightning Can Linger (Similar Across U.S.)

  38. 30 30 ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) 30 Seconds/30 Minutes:People Don’t ReactTo Low Flash Rates Well (Similar Across U.S.) Courtesy of NWS/Melbourne

  39. ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) • 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

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

  41. ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) • Safety For Individuals (con’t.) • If Trapped In An Unsafe Location . . . • 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! LAST RESORT! LAST RESORT! LAST RESORT! LAST RESORT!

  42. 30 30 ‘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 PersonTo 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!

  43. ‘Florida Today’ (26 Apr 99) ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) ‘Soccer Moms & Dads’, Please Note! Sports Has FastestRising LightningCasualty Rate Don’t “Tough It Out”, Postpone The Game! Remember Congo, Oct 9811 People Killed In Soccer Match!

  44. ‘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

  45. ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) • Important Components Of An Action Plan • Event ManagersDesignate 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” • PeriodicallyReview / Train / Drill Action Plan

  46. No Guidance 100% Guaranteed Against Lightning, But These Recommendations Can Avoid Most Casualties! SOAP ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.)

  47. Dr. Cooper, M.D.Univ Illinois, Chicago ‘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

  48. ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) • 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

  49. ‘LSG’ Recommendations (con’t.) • First-Aid For Lightning Victims (con’t.) • MYTH: Lightning Instantly Turns You Into A Burnt Corpse • 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

  50. Courtesy ‘Weather Channel’ Other Considerations Protect Your Pets!

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