Rebecca S. Blocker, Housing and Environmental Design Specialist, University of Missouri Extension
With thunderstorm season upon us, understanding lightning can help you make safer decisions when storms threaten.
- If you hear thunder, lightning is near. Just because it’s not raining, doesn’t mean you aren’t in danger.
- Most people are struck by lightning before or after the thunderstorm.
- Lightning kills more people in the U.S. than tornadoes and hurricanes combined.
- Outdoor sports have the fastest rising lightning casualty rate.
- The National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports top activities for lightning deaths are in open fields, under trees, water-related activities, golfing, open vehicles, using the telephone and using radio equipment.
To reduce your risk of injury or death, follow the 30/30 Rule and use the Flash to Bang Calculator…
For more information and safety tips, see the full version of this article at http://missourifamilies.org/
