| How to stay safe when lightning strikes |
| Wednesday, 22 June 2011 16:48 |
|
Meteorologist Susan Sanders says, "The most important thing to remember is there is no safe place outside when there's lightning in the area. As soon as you hear thunder, or see lightning, you need to get inside as quickly as possible, because lightning can strike several miles from a storm. You don't have to be under the cloud, or in the rain to be struck by lightning, and strikes can be quite farther apart. If you see lighting in the distance, that next strike could be right on top of you." One of the worst places to be during a thunderstorm is on open water. The last time someone was killed in South Dakota due to a lightning strike was at Sheridan Lake, about ten years ago. The best place to be during a storm is a house or any building that has electrical and plumbing running through it, because this is what conducts the charge down into the ground if the structure is hit by lightning. A good piece of advice is to stay inside for at least 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder is heard. Always remember, when thunder roars, go indoors. Jim Peterson |

Archive