What to do if you are caught in a thunderstorm

Colorado gets a lot of lightning. Half a million strikes hit this century-old state every year. On average, two people die and 12 are injured each year due to lightning in Colorado, according to data from the National Weather Service. You’ve probably heard that it’s best to stay indoors during a thunderstorm – and it’s true. The safest place is inside a large structure.

KOAA

If you can’t get inside, the best option is an enclosed vehicle like a car, van, or truck. Lesser shelters may offer some degree of protection depending on their design – but if you’re hiking, caves are NOT effective in protecting you. Lightning can strike the rock above the cave and travel through the cave walls as it travels into the ground. Other dangerous places:

• Fields and open spaces: You are the tallest object in a large area and lightning usually strikes the highest point in an area of ​​sufficient charge separation.
• Ridgelines – you are on the highest ground in your environment
• Under the trees: you are directly under an object relatively larger than your surroundings

If you’re stuck outside in a storm and can’t get in, the best place to be is in low ground. It can be difficult to avoid everything on this list (for example avoiding both open spaces and trees) – but in general, a space with dense trees and lower than the surrounding ground is best. Single trees pose a greater risk than a large forest, but your risk is still not zero. If you’re in the mountains, the lower you are, the better.

The most common myth about thunderstorms is that it is impossible to shine light beyond the base of the cloud. The fact is that if you hear thunder, you can be struck by lightning, even if the sky above you is clear! This is due to the special properties of the air: thunder is only heard about 16 kilometers from lightning. This distance is well within the range from which sufficient electrical charge can separate, making it a good and easy-to-use indication of your risk.

THE LIGHTNING CROUCH

If you’re caught outside by a thunderstorm, there are several ways to tell if a lightning strike is imminent.

1. Your hair stands up.
2. You hear a “buzzing,” “ping,” or “buzzing,” often coming from objects like a hiking pole, watch, or other metal object.
3. Your skin feels tingly, especially with items 1 and 2.

It’s not a panacea: without these signals you are not safe, but these indicators mean you need to take action. immediate action.

The lightning crouch is designed to minimize the risk to you and others if lightning strikes you or nearby.

1. Bring your feet together. If you can maintain balance, it’s best to have your heels touching and your toes pointed outward and slightly apart.
2. Bend with your knees forward into a squat position.
3. Stand on tiptoe: If lightning strikes nearby, the charge dissipates over a distance of about 60 feet. By keeping your heels lifted and tight, you prevent this charge from forming a closed circuit through you.
4. Cover your ears with your hands – this will help protect your hearing.

If you are in a group, stay at least 100 feet away from each other. If lightning strikes one person, others will be able to help them.

Watch the video for a demonstration. I hope you don’t need this tool, but if you do, it can save your life.

____

Have a question or story idea you’d like the First Alert 5 weather team to consider? Email: [email protected]

Watch KOAA News5 on your schedule, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Simply search for KOAA News5, download and start watching.