Florida is the lightning capital of the United States.

Florida leads
the nation in strikes, casualties, injuries and lightning related deaths. An
average of 73 people a year are killed by lightning strikes according to the
NOAA office. This is the number that is on record. The NOAA suspects it
really is about 100 to 120 deaths per year caused

by lightning. There are about 300 lightning related injuries that are reported
and many more that go unreported. I was amazed to find out that more people
are killed each year from lightning strikes than from Tornados and Hurricanes!
Lightning strikes are the leading weather related deaths in Florida with
more deaths than all other weather conditions combined. Central Florida
from Tampa to Titusville is called, 'Lightning Alley' in the United States.

The danger of lightning typically occurs during the summer months. There are
an estimated 25 millioncloud-to-ground lightning flashes each year. It
is fascinating to watch but do not underestimate its’ power! It is very dangerous
and deadly. Lightning only strikes its’ victims one or two at a time so it gets
much less attention than a flood, tornado or hurricane does. According to the
National Weather Service 5 people have died from Lightning strikes in Florida
so far this year. When you see lightning you are actually watching a channel
being formed with an electrical transfer taking place. These channels heat
up to about 30,000 degrees Fareneheit. The fast expansion of this heated
air breaks the sound barrier and that is why you hear thunder after a strike.
One lightning strike generates between 100 million to 1 Billion bolts of
electricity.
If you hear thunder; get inside right away because lightning can strike
as far away as 10 miles from the storm. Most lightning deaths occur after
the storm has passed, the most powerful strikes are right before and right after a
storm. There is no way to predict the time and location that lightning will strike.
Most people know to get out of the storm but the problem is that they fail to
understand that most strikes happen before and after the storm and that direct
hits are not the only ones that strike but the underlying currents of electricity
that is generated from the strikes is often the killer.
51% of lightning casualties happen out in the open especially in high elevations,
in open sports fields and on golf courses. 14% of deadly strikes happen to
boaters and swimmers. 25% are hit while under the shelter of a tree. Do not use
trees as shelters from storms.
The Top Ten States For Fatalities: ( NOAA)
1. Florida
2. Texas
3. North Carolina
4. Ohio
5. New York
 6. Louisiana
7. Tennessee
8. Maryland
9. Pennsylvania
10. Colorado
Hawaii and Alaska have the least amount of strikes of lightning and deaths by
lightning. In fact since 1959 there have been no deaths by lightning in Hawaii or
Alaska.
Groups of people at high risk for lightning strikes are golfers and
boaters. If you are a boater you must take extra precautions. Keep a weather
radio with you on your boat. Listen for storms heading your way. If a storm is
building head back to shore. Your boat may be the highest point in the water
which will attract the lightning. Do not stay in the open. Outriggers, aluminum
and electrical antennas are lightning rods. Buzzing sounds coming from your
radio antennas or if your masthead begins to glow get to safety right away
because this means that lightning may strike within 5 minutes after you see the
glow.
If you are on the beach get out of the water. Obey the lifeguards. As soon
as they tell you to get out of the water go to the paved parking lots. Water
and wet sand are great conductors of electricity. A lightning bolt can strike the
beach and move down the beach traveling through the sand. We don’t usually
think of how fast it can travel. When one of my sons was 3 years old he took
a rechargeable flashlight and pushed it into a bad plug, the electricity currants
looked just like lightning. The current which we could see very clearly ran up
his hand, through his body, out through his bellybutton and all around the room
before I could get that flashlight out of his hand. It was a miracle that he was
fine after all of that! I knew then the power of electricity and lightning.
Use the 30-30 Rule. The first ‘30’ stands for 30 seconds. When you see a
flash of lightning count to 30. If you hear the thunder before you get to 30, the
lightning is most likely close enough to hit you. The second ‘30’stands for 30
minutes. Wait at least 30 minutes before going outside again after you seeing
the last flash of lightning.
● Do not go into an open garage or carport, covered patio or near an open
window. If you have a metal topped car stay there.
● Do not stand in puddles even with rubber boots on.
 ● Get out of the pool, ocean or waterways. Remember to get off the sand if
you are on the beach.
● Do not use metal objects like golf clubs or fishing rods.
● Do not use the shelter of a tree even if it is the only shelter. Crouch down
in the open curled up with your head covered with your hands if you can
not get to a shelter. Use this only as a last resort. Do not be the tallest
thing around.
● Stop tractors and any thing moving metal objects.
● Do not use your telephone inside your house. Telephone use is the leading
cause of death by lightning indoors.
● Turn off VCRs, computers and televisions. Do not use electrical appliances
during a storm.
Stay Safe, Play Smart and Spread the word about lightning safety by sending this
article to your friends and family members. This information applies throughout
the U.S. Don't underestimate the power of Lightning!
Copyright © 2007 By Katerina Gasset, All Rights Reserved
Photo courtesy of Harald Edens. Permission granted to use from NOAA lightning
strikes photo files.
The material herein may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted,
displayed or published. All rights reserved. Plagiarism will be detected and
is punishable by law. Lightning Strikes, Know the Dangers and the
Precautions.
Contact Nestor and Katerina Gasset for all your Wellington Florida Real Estate
Needs at 561-753-0135.