NYSDOT and SEMO Urge Caution During Lightning Storms

ALBANY, NY (06/18/2010)(readMedia)-- In recognition of National Lightning Safety Awareness Week, which runs from Sunday through June 26, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) today reminded motorists to drive carefully during summer thunder and lightning storms and urged the public to seek safe shelter when necessary.

"During lightning storms, it is imperative that motorists stay in their cars and avoid contact with any metal surfaces in order to keep safe," NYSDOT Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee said. "Motorists also should be alert for downed power lines and obstacles in the road. As always, we will clear debris from State highways as quickly as possible following storms."

John R. Gibb, Director of the New York State Emergency Management Office, said, "This week serves as a good reminder to New Yorkers everywhere that they should have emergency plans in place to protect themselves and their loved ones. Severe weather, including potentially deadly lightning strikes, can happen quickly. People should take the time now to learn what to do in the event of an emergency and use that information throughout the year."

Summer is the peak season for lightning, but lightning can strike any time of year. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an average of 58 people are killed by lightning in the United States annually. There already have been eight lightning deaths this year.

Thunder and lightning storms can be accompanied by high winds that cause power lines and trees to fall into or near roadways, heavy rains that cause flooding or hail that can damage cars and limit visibility for driving. Severe thunderstorms are those storms with winds in excess of 58 miles-per-hour or hail larger than 3/4 inches in diameter.

NYSDOT offers the following safety tips for driving during and immediately following lightning storms:

• Watch for downed power lines and trees;

• Treat dark traffic signals as 4-way stop signs; it's the law;

• Stay in your car during lightning storms. An automobile provides better insulation against lightning than being in the open; and

• Avoid contact with any metal conducting surfaces either inside your car or outside.

SEMO urges the pubic to seek shelter in a house or substantial building during a lightning storm and offers the following safety tips:

If You Are Outdoors

• Look for darkening skies, flashes of lightning, or increasing wind, which may be signs of an approaching thunderstorm;

• When lightning is seen or thunder is heard, or when dark clouds are observed, postpone activities promptly. Do not wait for rain. Lightning often strikes as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall. Go quickly inside a completely enclosed building. If no enclosed building is convenient, get inside a hard-topped all-metal vehicle;

• The principle lightning safety guide is the 30-30 rule. The first 30 represents 30 seconds. If the time between when you see the flash and hear the thunder is 30 seconds or less, the lightning is close enough to hit you. If you haven't already, seek shelter immediately. The second 30 stands for 30 minutes. After the last flash of lightning, wait 30 minutes before leaving your shelter;

• Be the lowest point. Lightning hits the tallest object. In the mountains, if you are above the tree line, quickly get below the tree line and get into a grove of small trees. Crouch down if you are in an exposed area;

• If you can't get to a shelter, stay away from trees. If there is no shelter, crouch in the open, keeping twice as far away from a tree as it is tall;

• Avoid leaning against vehicles. Get off bicycles and motorcycles;

• Get out of the water, off the beach and out of small boats or canoes. If caught in a boat, crouch down in the center of the boat away from metal hardware. Avoid standing in puddles of water, even if wearing rubber boots; and

• Avoid metal! Drop metal backpacks and stay away from clotheslines, fences, and exposed sheds. Do not hold on to metal items such golf clubs, fishing rods, tennis rackets or tools.

If You Are Indoors

• Avoid contact with corded phones. Lightning can travel long distances in both phone and electrical wires, particularly in rural areas;

• Stay away from windows and doors and stay off porches as these can provide the path for a direct strike to enter a home;

• Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. If you plan to unplug any electronic equipment, do so well before the storm arrives;

• Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes, and do not do laundry;

• Avoid contact with concrete walls, which may contain metal reinforcing bars; and

• Bring your pets indoors before the storm.

If Someone Is Struck By Lightning

• Call for help;

• Call 9-1-1 or your local ambulance service;

• Get medical attention as quickly as possible;

• Give first aid;

• If the victim has stopped breathing, begin rescue breathing;

• If the heart has stopped beating, a trained person should give CPR; and

• If the person has a pulse and is breathing, address any other injuries, i.e., burns.

NYSDOT provides a free travel information system, 511NY, offering near real-time travel and road conditions. The service, available by calling 511 or by visiting www.511NY.org, provides information on lane and road closures, as well as links to transit and air travel schedules and delays. It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and can be especially helpful to travelers during weather events.

NY-ALERT, the State's alert and notification system, provides severe weather alerts from the five National Weather Service offices covering the Empire State. Visit www.nyalert.gov to subscribe to this free alerting system.

For more information about lightning safety, visit http://www.semo.state.ny.us/info/publicsafety/lightning.cfm or http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/.

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