How to Stay Safe in a Lightning Storm

Summary

ABC's Gio Benitez investigates the dangers of lightning strikes on vehicles during thunderstorms. Contrary to popular belief, rubber tires do not protect cars from lightning, which can melt electrical systems and cause fires. The segment features Sheena Easterday, who survived a lightning strike while driving, and Dr. Joseph Dwyer, a lightning researcher, who advises staying indoors and avoiding electrical connections during storms. The video dispels myths about lightning, highlighting the unpredictability and potential for multiple strikes, even on the same location. It also shares stories of lightning strike survivors, emphasizing the importance of safety precautions.

Takeaways

• ⚡️ Lightning can strike a vehicle while driving, causing significant damage and danger to the occupants.
• 🚗 Cars are designed to channel lightning around the exterior and down to the ground, but this doesn't guarantee safety.
• 🌩️ The myth that rubber tires protect cars from lightning is debunked; lightning can still penetrate and cause harm.
• 🔥 Lightning can melt electrical systems and even cause vehicles to catch fire.
• ⛈ Lightning is unpredictable and can strike even when there's no rain, or with clear skies overhead.
• 🏠 Being indoors is generally safer during a storm, but it's not a guarantee against lightning strikes.
• 👥 Lightning can strike the same location multiple times, contrary to the myth that it doesn't strike twice.
• ✈️ Commercial airplanes and tall buildings like the Empire State Building are frequently hit by lightning.
• 👤 The chances of being struck by lightning in one's lifetime are 1 in 12,000, with a 90% survival rate.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Survivors of lightning strikes often experience long-lasting physical effects, including muscle and nerve damage.

Q & A

What happened to Sheena Easterday during a thunderstorm in Florida?

Sheena Easterday's car was hit by lightning while she was driving through a severe thunderstorm in Saint Petersburg, Florida, causing the car to shake and become smoky from the airbags.

What is a common myth about car tires and lightning protection?

A common myth is that rubber car tires protect against lightning strikes. However, experts say this is false, as lightning can still strike a vehicle regardless of tire material.

How can lightning affect a vehicle's electrical systems?

Lightning can melt a vehicle's electrical systems and, in some cases, cause the car to burst into flames.

What advice does Dr. Joseph Dwyer give for staying safe in a car during a storm?

Dr. Joseph Dwyer advises not to touch anything electrical that can connect you to the outside elements, such as the radio, windows, or any other electrical systems.

Can lightning strike when it's not raining?

Yes, lightning can strike even when it's not raining. It can travel through clear skies and strike with a blue sky overhead.

What is the average frequency of lightning strikes on commercial airplanes?

On average, every commercial airplane gets hit by lightning once a year.

How often does the Empire State Building get struck by lightning?

The Empire State Building gets struck by lightning about 25 times a year.

What is the probability of an individual being struck by lightning in their lifetime?

The chances of an individual being struck by lightning in their lifetime is one in 12,000.

What are the long-lasting effects of being struck by lightning as described by survivors?

Survivors describe long-lasting effects such as physical incapacitation, muscle loss in legs that won't rebuild, and the need for ongoing physical therapy.

What precautions should one take while indoors during a thunderstorm according to the script?

While indoors during a thunderstorm, one should avoid going next to a window, using a landline phone, fiddling with electrical appliances, and taking a bath or shower to prevent electrical shocks.

What is the significance of the statement 'three strikes' in the context of the script?

The statement 'three strikes' refers to the fact that some individuals, like Bob Edwards, have been struck by lightning multiple times, which is rare but possible, as lightning can strike the same area or person more than once.