How to Stay Safe in a Lightning Storm

ABC News

4 Jun 201506:15

Summary

TLDRABC'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.

Outlines

00:00

🌩️ Lightning Strikes Car During Storm

The video script describes a harrowing incident where Sheena Easterday's car was struck by lightning while driving through a severe thunderstorm in St. Petersburg, Florida. Despite conventional advice to seek shelter during storms, the script reveals that vehicles can be vulnerable to lightning. It explains that cars are designed to divert lightning around their shell, but the strike can still damage electrical systems or cause the car to catch fire. The unpredictability of lightning is emphasized, with examples of lightning striking vehicles and buildings, including a Boeing 757 and the Empire State Building. The script also dispels the myth that lightning doesn't strike twice, illustrating with the fact that commercial airplanes and tall buildings can be hit multiple times a year. Survivor stories, like that of Bob Edwards who was struck three times, highlight the lasting physical effects of lightning strikes, which can be incapacitating and cause long-term damage to the body.

05:02

⚡️ Safety Tips During Lightning Storms

This segment of the script focuses on safety measures to take during a lightning storm. It advises pulling over to the side of the road if caught in a storm while driving and avoiding contact with anything electrical that could connect a person to outside elements. Dr. Joseph Dwyer, a lightning researcher, recommends staying indoors, away from windows, and refraining from using electrical devices such as computers, phones, or lamps. The script also warns against taking baths or showers during a storm due to the risk of electrical current traveling through plumbing. The story of Sheena Easterday, whose family members have also been struck by lightning, serves as a stark reminder of the need for these precautions. The video concludes with a reminder that while lightning is a powerful and unpredictable force, following safety guidelines can help mitigate the risks.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Lightning

Lightning is a natural electrical discharge that occurs during a thunderstorm. It is a result of the buildup of electrical energy in the atmosphere and can strike the ground, objects, and even people. In the video, lightning is the central theme, as it discusses the dangers it poses to individuals, particularly when they are in their cars during a storm. The script mentions a woman whose car was hit by lightning, illustrating the unexpected and powerful nature of this phenomenon.

💡Thunderstorm

A thunderstorm is a weather event characterized by the presence of lightning and its acoustic effect on the atmosphere, which we hear as thunder. The video script describes a scenario where a woman was driving through a severe thunderstorm in Florida, which led to her car being struck by lightning. This keyword is crucial as it sets the stage for the discussion on lightning safety.

💡Airbags

Airbags are safety devices found in vehicles that inflate rapidly during a collision to protect the occupants from injury. In the context of the video, the mention of airbags becoming smoky after a lightning strike indicates the intensity of the event and the potential for additional hazards beyond the lightning itself, such as the deployment of safety devices.

💡Myth

A myth is a widely held but false belief or idea. The script debunks the myth that rubber car tires protect against lightning strikes, which is a common misconception. This keyword is important as it corrects misinformation and provides accurate safety advice, emphasizing that lightning can indeed strike vehicles.

💡Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP)

An EMP is a burst of electromagnetic radiation that can damage, disable, or destroy electronic devices. The video mentions that lightning can melt electrical systems, which is a consequence of the EMP generated by a lightning strike. This keyword is relevant as it explains the potential for damage to vehicles and other electronics from lightning.

💡Lightning Rod

A lightning rod is a metal conductor that is designed to protect structures from lightning strikes by providing a path of least resistance for the lightning to travel to the ground. The video implies the concept of a lightning rod when discussing how cars are designed to divert lightning around the shell and down to the ground, protecting the occupants.

💡Indoors

Being indoors typically refers to being inside a building or structure. The video script advises that being indoors is the safest place to be during a lightning storm, as it provides a greater level of protection from lightning strikes compared to being outside or in a vehicle. This keyword is significant for conveying safety recommendations.

💡Electrical Systems

Electrical systems in vehicles and buildings consist of wiring and components that power various functions. The script mentions that lightning can damage these systems, leading to potential fires or malfunctions. This keyword is integral to understanding the broader impact of lightning strikes on both vehicles and structures.

💡Survival Rate

The survival rate refers to the percentage of individuals who live through a particular event. The video states that 90% of people struck by lightning survive, which is a crucial statistic for understanding the overall risk and the importance of knowing what to do if struck.

💡Physical Incapacitation

Physical incapacitation refers to the temporary or permanent loss of ability to move or function due to injury or external force. The script describes how being struck by lightning can be physically incapacitating, with high amperage currents flowing through the body causing immediate and potentially long-term effects. This keyword is key to understanding the immediate danger posed by lightning strikes.

💡Prevention Measures

Prevention measures are actions taken to avoid or reduce the risk of harm. The video outlines several prevention measures for lightning safety, such as pulling over during a storm and avoiding contact with electrical items. This keyword encapsulates the proactive advice given to viewers to protect themselves from lightning.

Highlights

Surviving a lightning strike while driving is possible, but it can be a terrifying experience.

Sheena Easterday's car was hit by lightning in Saint Petersburg, Florida, during a thunderstorm.

Lightning can cause cars to become smoky from airbags and potentially catch fire.

The myth that rubber tires protect cars from lightning is debunked by experts.

Lightning can strike a vehicle even when it's not raining, contrary to conventional wisdom.

Dr. Joseph Dwyer advises not to touch anything electrical during a storm to avoid connecting to outside elements.

Indoor safety during a storm is not guaranteed, as lightning can enter buildings.

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 struck by lightning.

Lightning can incapacitate those it strikes, with currents reaching up to 30,000 amps.

Survivors of lightning strikes often experience long-lasting physical effects.

Being indoors is the safest place during a storm, but avoid electrical connections to the outside world.

Lightning can cause internal damage to electronics that may not be immediately visible.

Sheena Easterday's family has experienced multiple lightning strikes, highlighting the unpredictable nature of lightning.