Struck By Lightning!


It's the time of year for lightning storms. Let's see what they do when they strike -



When a man was struck by lightning, it blasted him out of his boots. 



These Angus cows were too close to the tree.


Buildings are favorite points of strike for their high profile. 


When sand gets struck, it's magic! 


This bison survived.



A car got hit.



Beautiful patterns in the grass.


 The Washington Monument has a special lightning rod (LINK).



When a human is struck by lightning, there is a great chance they will survive (24,000 die, 240,000 are hit). When they do, however, the brain's electrical can go haywire. The excruciating ongoing pain for survivors can be horrible.




Lightning safety (CDC)


The main lightning safety guide is the 30-30 rule. After you see lightning, start counting to 30. If you hear thunder before you reach 30, go indoors. Suspend activities for at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder.


If no shelter is available, crouch low, with as little of your body touching the ground as possible. Lightning causes electric currents along the top of the ground that can be deadly over 100 feet away.

Stay away from concrete floors or walls. Lightning can travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.

Although you should move into a non-concrete structure if possible, being indoors does not automatically protect you from lightning. In fact, about one-third of lightning-strike injuries occur indoors.

Safety precautions indoors

Avoid water during a thunderstorm. Lightning can travel through plumbing.

Avoid electronic equipment of all types. Lightning can travel through electrical systems and radio and television reception systems.

Avoid corded phones. However, cordless or cellular phones are safe to use during a storm.
Avoid concrete floors and walls.


Comments