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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 23, 2008 No. 08-063 GOVERNOR PROCLAIMS LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK JUNE 22-28 Summer is the peak season for lightning, one of weather's most deadly
occurrences. In response to this, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed a proclamation
on June 16 declaring June 22-28, 2008, as Lightning Safety Awareness Week.
“Lightning strikes have injured and killed Kansans over the years,
reminding us of the danger storms can bring,” said Sebelius. “It
is critically important we heed the warnings of weather forecasters and
take the necessary precautions to ensure we are safe from lightning strikes.”
Between the years of 1959 and 2008, 62 people have been killed in Kansas
and an additional 200 people have been injured. Kansas ranks second in
the nation for the number of lightning damage reports. “With so many storms moving through Kansas every year, it’s
easy to become complacent about lightning and be more concerned about
tornados or other weather dangers,” said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, director
of Kansas Emergency Management, Kansas Homeland Security and the adjutant
general. “However, the statistics prove lightning can be just as
dangerous, resulting in lifelong injuries, if not death.” Each year, an average of 400 children and adults in the United States
are struck by lightning while working outside, at sports events, on the
beach, mountain climbing, mowing the lawn or during other outdoor activities.
An average of 67 people are killed each year by lightning in the United
States and several hundred more are left to cope with permanent disabilities.
In 2007, there were 45 deaths in the U.S. attributed to lightning; hundreds
of others were injured. Of the victims who were killed by lightning: 98
percent were outside; 89 percent were male; 30 percent were males between
the ages of 20-25; 25 percent were standing under a tree and 25 percent
occurred on or near the water. Kansas Emergency Management, the National Weather Service and the American
Red Cross have joined forces to create the Lightning Safety Awareness
Campaign. These groups provide the information below and tips to help
people stay safe when lightning strikes. There are many people that are struck, but survive. The effects of a
lightning survivor are often long-term or permanent. The symptoms of survivors
include memory loss, attention deficits, sleep disorders, numbness, dizziness,
stiffness in joints, irritability, fatigue, weakness, muscle spasms, seizures,
depression and inability to sit for long periods of time. Lightning often strikes as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall. Many
deaths from lightning occur ahead of the storm because people try and
wait to the last minute before seeking shelter. If you can hear thunder,
lightning is close enough that it could strike your location at any moment.
Look for dark cloud bases and increasing wind. Every flash of lightning
is dangerous, even the first. Head to safety before that first flash occurs.
Lightning can travel sideways for up to 10 miles. Even when the sky looks
blue and clear, be cautious. At least 10 percent of lightning occurs without
visible clouds overhead in the sky. The most dangerous place to be in the event of a storm is outside. You
want to first seek shelter in a sturdy, closed building that contains
a mechanism for conducting the electrical current from the point of contact
to the ground. Avoid sheds, picnic shelters, baseball dugouts, bleachers,
open carports, garages and covered patios, which are not safe from lightning
strikes. If no enclosed building is accessible, get inside a hard-topped
all-metal vehicle. If you can't get to a sturdy shelter, crouch down low in an open area.
Stay at least twice as far away from trees as they are tall. Since water
is an excellent conductor of electricity, avoid standing in or near puddles.
Also, remember to avoid holding anything that will conduct or even attract
lightning, such as golf clubs, fishing poles or tennis racquets. For more information about lightning safety awareness, visit the National Weather Service's web page on lightning safety (http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov). Additional resources for media are available at http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/media -30- |
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