Keep Yourself Safe When Lightning Strikes

Georgia Severe Weather Awareness Week: Use Feb. 4 to prepare for lightning storms

(ATLANTA) Lightning strikes an estimated 25 million times a year in this country, on average killing more people than tornadoes or hurricanes annually, according to the National Weather Service. In Georgia, 22 deaths have been blamed on lightning since 1999, still most Georgians believe they could never be a victim.

“Because lightning usually injures one or two people at a time, it can be underrated as a real threat,” said Charley English, director of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA)/Homeland Security. “During Severe Weather Awareness Week, take the time to learn basic safety rules and precautions against lightning."

Lightning is a deadly by-product of thunderstorms, which are common in Georgia, particularly in the spring and summer. People struck by lightning can suffer from a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms, including memory loss, attention deficits, sleep disorders, numbness, dizziness, stiffness in joints, irritability, fatigue, weakness, muscle spasms, depression and an inability to sit for long.
Most lightning deaths and injuries occur when people are caught outdoors. When outdoors, be aware of the most current local weather forecasts and stay alert for signs of approaching thunderstorms. Lightning is nature's warning signal that a thunderstorm is in its most violent state and that you should seek shelter immediately.

To get ready for the threat of thunderstorms and lightning, all Georgians should follow the three simple steps from GEMA’s Ready Georgia campaign: prepare a Ready kit of emergency supplies, make a plan for what you will do in case of lightning and stay informed about lightning threats in your area. To help Georgia families prepare, plan and stay informed, GEMA offers these tips:

Before Lightning Strikes

1. Keep an eye on the sky. Look for darkening skies, flashes of light, or increasing wind. Listen for the sound of thunder.
2. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately.
3. Monitor NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television for the latest weather forecasts.

When a Storm Approaches

1. Find shelter in a building or car. Keep car windows closed and avoid convertibles.
2. Telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity. Unplug appliances. Avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances. (Leaving electric lights on, however, does not increase the chances of your home being struck by lightning.)
3. Avoid taking a bath or shower, or running water for any purpose.
4. Turn off the air conditioner. Power surges from lightning can overload the compressor, resulting in a costly repair job.
5. Draw blinds and shades over windows. If windows break due to objects blown by the wind, the shades will help prevent glass from shattering into your home.

If Caught Outside

1. Find safe shelter in a building or vehicle, if possible.
2. If you are in the woods and cannot find a safe shelter, take shelter under the shorter trees.
3. If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter immediately!

Protecting Yourself Outside

1. Go to a low-lying, open place away from trees, poles, or metal objects. Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding.
2. Be a very small target! Squat low to the ground. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them. Make yourself the smallest target possible.
3. Do not lie flat on the ground. This will make you a larger target!

After the Storm Passes

1. Stay away from storm-damaged areas.
2. Listen to the radio or television for information and instructions.

If Someone is Struck by Lightning

1. People struck by lightning carry no electrical charge and can be handled safely.
2. Call for help. Get someone to dial 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) number.
3. The injured person has received an electrical shock and may be burned, both where they were struck and where the electricity left their body. Check for burns in both places. Being struck by lightning can also cause nervous system damage, broken bones, and loss of hearing or eyesight.
4. Give first aid. If breathing has stopped, begin rescue breathing. If the heart has stopped beating, a trained person should give CPR. If the person has a pulse and is breathing, look and care for other possible injuries. Learn first aid and CPR by taking an American Red Cross first aid and CPR course; call your local Red Cross chapter for class schedules and fees.

For a list of Ready kit items and to create a custom emergency plan, turn to Ready Georgia at www.ready.ga.gov. For more information on severe weather in Georgia, contact your local EMA, call GEMA at 404-635-7000, or visit www.gema.ga.gov or www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc.

About Ready Georgia
Ready Georgia is a statewide campaign designed to educate and empower Georgians to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, pandemic outbreaks, potential terrorist attacks and other large-scale emergencies. The campaign is a project of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and provides a local dimension to Ready America, a broader national campaign. Ready Georgia aims to prepare citizens for maintaining self-sufficiency for at least 72 hours following an emergency, and uses an interactive Web site, online community toolkit, broadcast and print advertising and public awareness media messaging to reach its audiences. Ready Georgia is also on Facebook and YouTube.