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-------- Original Message --------
327
NOUS41 KWBC 191637
PNSWSH
Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Headquarters Washington DC
1240 PM EDT Wed Jun 19 2013
To: Subscribers:
-Family of Services
-NOAA Weather Wire Service
-Emergency Managers Weather Information Network
-NOAAPORT
Other NWS Partners and NWS employees
From: Michael J. Szkil
Chief, Awareness Branch
Office of Climate, Water and Weather Services
Subject: 2013 National Lightning Safety Awareness Week
June 23-30, 2013
When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors
The National Weather Services 13th National Lightning Safety
Awareness Week campaign occurs June 23-30, 2013.
The 2013 campaign reminds people that no place outside is safe
when thunderstorms are in the area. Most lightning strike victims
are close to safe shelter but wait too long to get there. If you
can hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you. The
NWS motto is, When thunder roars, go indoors.
Prior to the lightning safety campaign, lightning killed an average of
73 people each year in the United States. Since the NWS launched the
campaign, the average has dropped to 37. This is great news, but there
are still too many deaths and injuries. Each year hundreds of people
are injured, many with permanent nerve damage, hearing loss and other
serious side effects.
Lightning deaths and injuries occur most frequently in open areas and
under trees. Planning for lightning is crucial when you are outdoors,
especially when camping, fishing, hiking, at the beach or playing
sports.
People are especially vulnerable to lightning strikes when a storm is
approaching or exiting their area. Lightning can strike more than 10
miles away from a thunderstorm.
Lightning tips, statistics, brochures, educational shows and more are
available on the NWS lightning safety website at:
http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov
What You Need to Know About Lightning
- No place outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area
- If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you
- When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter:
A substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed,
metal-topped vehicle with windows up
- Stay in a safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last
sound of thunder
- If someone is struck by lightning, they are safe to touch and need
immediate CPR if they are not breathing or are unresponsive
Indoor Lightning Safety Tips
- Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment - Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets - Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches - Do not lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete walls Last Resort Outdoor Risk Reduction Tips If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby, the following actions may reduce your risk: - Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks - Never lie flat on the ground - Never shelter under an isolated tree - Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter - Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water - Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.) If you have any comments or questions regarding this Public Service Announcement, please contact: Donna Franklin NWS Lightning Safety Program Lead Silver Spring, MD 301-713-0090, Ext. 141 donna.franklin@xxxxxxxx NWS Public Information Statements are online: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/notif.htm $$
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