Lightning Deaths A Reminder Of Danger
Lightning is a meteorological danger that, all too often, doesn't get enough respect.
According to the National Weather Service, there are an estimated 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes in the United States each year, with two-thirds coming in June, July and August a. Over the past 30 years, lightning killed an average of 67 people annually in the U.S., based on documented cases. That's more than the average of 65 deaths per year caused by tornadoes and 16 from hurricanes.
But, says the weather service, "Because lightning usually claims only one or two victims at a time, and because lightning does not cause the mass destruction left in the wake of tornadoes or hurricanes, lightning generally receives much less attention than the more destructive weather-related killers. While documented lightning injuries in the United States average about 300 per year, undocumented injuries caused by lightning are likely much higher."
On The Early Show Tuesday, co-anchor Rene Syler explored the obvious, but sometimes ignored, danger.
Syler reported that, in Montvale, N.J. Saturday evening, 18-year-old Steven Fagan and 19-year-old Lee Weisbrod were killed by lighting. Police say they had been playing soccer in a park field with two others when they ran for shelter, but were struck down. The other two were hospitalized. The scorch marks from the lightning can still be seen in the grass.
Syler also spoke with lightning strike survivors Jennifer Rogan and her 12-year-old son, David.
On July 16, 2005, during a family reunion in Sugarcreek, Penn., lightning struck a tree and injured nearly 30 people. David was the most severely injured; he was knocked unconscious and stopped breathing before being revived by family members. After several weeks in the hospital, David still goes to speech, as well as occupational and physical therapy.
Jennifer and David recalled the incident and spoke of David's continuing efforts to recover.
Meteorologist John Jensinius, a National Weather Service lightning safety expert, also chatted with Syler.He said people who are struck are in the wrong place at the wrong time. The wrong place is anyplace outside and the wrong time is anytime a thunder storm is nearby.
So what should people do?
Two things, Jensinius says: Get inside a home or substantial building. The time to get inside is anytime you hear thunder. If you can't get inside a building, get inside a hard-topped metal vehicle. The lightning will follow the metal shell around the vehicle and leave; the occupant may be scared but safe.
If you don't have a structure or car to go to, notes Jensinius, lighting hits the taller objects and tall trees first, in the woods. You don't want to be in a field, because you don't want to be the tallest object in the open. If you're in the woods, lower your chances by getting to an area of lower trees.
Still, Jensinius notes, it's fairly common for people to survive. Only one out of ten people struck by lighting are killed. Among those who are hurt, short-term memory loss is common, as are chronic pain and headaches.
Thunder, he observed, is caused by shock waves that go through the air. If you're more then 10 miles away, you'll see lighting, but may not hear the thunder. But you don't always hear thunder when you see lightning. The bottom line? If you hear thunder, go inside. And stay inside until 30 minutes after the last thunderclap.