As the weather continues to warm up across the country, severe storms - such as tornadoes flash floods and thunderstorms - will become more likely. Of these forms of severe weather, lightning often gets the least attention. Bud did you know that over the last 30 years, lightning strikes have claimed as many lives as tornadoes According to the National Ocenaic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there are an estimated 25 million lightning strikes every year. An average of 62 people have died per year due to lightning strikes since 1978, and many more times that are injured from strikes.
Myths abound regarding lightning strikes and the best way to protect yourself should you be caught in a thunderstorm. Read the following items, courtesy of NOAA, to remind yourself how to stay safe this spring.
MYTHS & FACTS:
MYTH: Lightning never strikes the same place twice
FACT: Lightning often strikes the same place twice, especially if it's a tall, pointy object. The Empire State building is struck nearly 25 times per year!
MYTH: If clouds aren't over my head and it isn't raining, lightning poses not threat to me.
FACT: Lightning often strikes more than three miles outside from the thunderstorm and has been known to travel as far as 10-15 miles before striking the ground.
MYTH: "Heat lightning" occurs after a very hot summer day and poses no threat.
FACT: "Heat lightning" is just a term used to describe lightning from a thunderstorm too far away to be heard.