WHEN LIGHTNING ROARS
2010-05-16
Please see full story for important information regarding lightning and the baseball diamonds.
When Lightning Roars, go Indoors!
If it is not raining, there is STILL a danger from lightning.
Lightning often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur more than 16 km away from a storm.
Keep a safe distance from tall objects (trees, hills, poles)
Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (metal fences, metal bats)
Avoid being the highest point in an open area
If caught in a level field far from shelter, and you feel your hair stand on end, immediately kneel on the ground with your feet together placing your hands on your knees and bend forward.
If you are in a group in the open, spread out keeping people several metres apart.
30-30 RULE
If you can count less than 30 seconds between the lightning and the thunder immediately seek shelter. Remain sheltered for 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard. seconds between the lightning strike and the thunder, indicates the storm is less than 10 km away. There is an 80 percent chance the next strike will happen within that 10 km.
Each second represents approximately 300 metres. Counting less than 30 seconds between the lightning strike and the thunder, indicates the storm is less than 10 km away. There is an 80 percent chance the next strike will happen within that 10 km.