Subj : Public Info Statement
To : ALL
From : Daryl_Stout
Date : Tue Jun 21 2016 09:15 am
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
600 AM CDT TUE JUN 21 2016
...LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK...
The National Weather Service has declared the week of June
19th through the 25th as LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK. This
is the second of five public information statements to be issued
by the National Weather Service office in Little Rock
containing details about lightning.
Today's topic is LIGHTNING'S MOST DEADLY ACTIVITIES.
If you are outside when a thunderstorm is in the area,
you are at risk of being struck by lightning. However, there
are activities that lead to more lightning deaths and
injuries than others.
From 2006 to 2015, a detailed study showed that leisure
activities led to almost two thirds of the lightning fatalities
in the United States. A common myth is that golf is the most
dangerous activity outdoors. In reality, water-related activities
are much more dangerous. Fishermen accounted for more than four
times as many fatalities as golfers, while camping and boating
each accounted for almost twice as many deaths as golf.
Breaking it down, the study revealed that lightning was
responsible for 33 fishing deaths, 18 beach deaths, 17 camping
deaths, and 14 boating deaths. Of the sports activities, soccer
was the deadliest with 12 fatalities as compared to golf with
8 fatalities.
In most cases, victims simply waited too long before starting
to seek shelter. Continued efforts are needed to convince people
to get inside a safe place before the lightning threat becomes
significant.
When it comes to water-related activities, there are
a couple of important things to remember...
* Always have a plan so that you can get to a safe
place before the storm arrives.
* Head to that safe place immediately if you notice any
signs of a developing or approaching thunderstorm.
Don't hesitate.
Question: If water activities are so dangerous,
why don't all the fish in a pond or lake get killed when
lightning strikes the water?
Answer: Most of the discharge occurs along the surface of
the water. Since most fish are well below the water surface,
they are safe. People are not as safe because they swim
closer to the surface.
Here's a list of topics that will be covered later this
week:
WEDNESDAY - Lightning Safety and Sports Activities
THURSDAY - Lightning Safety at Work
FRIDAY - Lightning Safety Around the Home
&&
This week is headlined on the local National Weather Service website
at WWW.SRH.NOAA.GOV/LZK/
$$
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