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Thunderstorm/Lightning
Tips....
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Thunderstorms
are created when warm, moist air rises, cools and condenses. It swells into
mounds of thick, billowy cumulous clouds that quickly darken into the towering,
ominous-looking clouds characteristic of thunderstorms. Strong, gusty winds
and heavy rains with thunder and lighting will soon follow.
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In summer, afternoon thunderstorms are
likely to occur over Lake Okeechobee when the humidity and temperature ashore
are high.
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You can determine the
distance of an approaching thunderstorm by counting the number of seconds
between the lighting flash and the thunder clap, and dividing by five. This
will give you the distance in miles you are from the storm.
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Lightning
does not strike just during the height of the thunderstorm. In fact, the greatest
danger often comes with the first or last flash, when people least expect
it. Florida leads the nation in lighting deaths and injuries. People are struck
most often by lighting during the "rainy" season, usually from May through
October with the peak month being July.
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Some locations are more dangerous than
others. The greatest number of people are struck while near a body of water.
This includes people at the beach, near lakes, on fishing piers, and in small
boats. Another vulnerable location is an open area with a few trees around,
such as a ball field, playground or golf course.
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Become familiar with lighting safety rules
an save your life or that of a loved one.
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LIGHTNING SAFETY RULES
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If outside, get inside
a building or an all-metal vehicle (not a convertible).
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Avoid leaning against
vehicles. Get off bicycles and motorcycles.
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Get out of the water,
off the beach and out of small boats and canoes. If caught in a boat, crouch
down in the center of the boat, away from metal hardware. Avoid standing
in puddles of water. Rubber boots offer little protection.
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When there is no shelter,
avoid the highest object in the area. If only isolated trees are nearby,
your best protection is to crouch in the open, keeping twice as far away
from isolated trees as the trees are high.
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Avoid hilltops, open spaces,
wire fences, metal clothes lines, exposed sheds, and any electrically conductive,
elevated objects.
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Do not use metallic objects
like golf clubs, fishing rods, tennis rackets and tools.
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Do not work on fences,
telephone or power lines, pipelines, steel fabrications, antennae, or on
roof tops, or other high places.
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Stop tractor work and
heavy construction equipment, especially when pulling metal equipment, and
dismount. Do not seek shelter under the equipment. Tractors and other implements
in metallic contact with the ground are often struck by lightning.
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At construction sites,
move to a location beneath a solid roof. Avoid openings such as windows
or doors.
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Don't be under a carport
or in an open garage.
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Indoors, stay away from
open doors and windows, fireplaces, radiators, stoves, metal pipes, sinks,
and plug-in electrical devices. Stay out of the shower or bathtub and off
of the toilet. Do not use a corded telephone or a computer. Unplug major
appliances such as televisions and air conditioners. Lightning can enter
the house through electrical, telephone and plumbing connections.
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Persons struck by lightning
receive a severe electrical shock and may be burned, but they carry no electrical
charge and can be handled safely. A person "killed" by lightning can often
be revived by prompt CPR. Other persons, who appear only stunned, may also
need medical attention. Do not let victims walk around. Give them first
aid for shock.
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