News from
The Adjutant General's Department

CONTACT:
Sharon Watson
Director, Public Affairs Office
Work: (785) 274-1192
Cell: (785) 806-4063
http://www.Kansas.gov/ksadjutantgeneral

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   June 19, 2009

No. 09-062

GOVERNOR PROCLAIMS LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK JUNE 22-26

Lightning has claimed the life of one Kansan already this year, and summer is the peak season for lightning, one of weather's most deadly occurrences. In response to this, Gov. Mark Parkinson signed a proclamation on June 18 declaring June 21-27, 2009, as Lightning Safety Awareness Week.

“We must take lightning seriously and heed the warnings from weather forecasters,” said Parkinson. “Lightning is so common to us in Kansas that unfortunately it’s easy to become complacent and forget how dangerous it can be, resulting in lifelong injuries or even death.” 

Between the years of 1959 and 2009, 64 people have been killed in Kansas and hundreds injured.

“Too often we focus on protecting ourselves from the dangers of big storms, but lightning safety awareness week is a good reminder to everyone that we must take the necessary precautions to stay safe from lightning strikes,” said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, director of Kansas Emergency Management, Kansas Homeland Security and the adjutant general.

Each year, more than 400 people in the United States are struck by lightning while working outside, at sports events, on the beach, out at the lake, mowing the lawn or during other outdoor activities. An average of 55 to 60 people are killed each year by lightning in the United States and several hundred more left with permanent disabilities. However, in 2008 there were 28 lightning related fatalities in the U.S., one of which was in Kansas.

Kansas Emergency Management, the National Weather Service and the American Red Cross have joined forces to create the Lightning Safety Awareness Campaign. These groups provide the information below and tips to help people stay safe when lightning strikes.

There are many people that are struck, but survive. The effects of a lightning survivor are often long-term or permanent. The symptoms of survivors include memory loss, attention deficits, sleep disorders, numbness, dizziness, stiffness in joints, irritability, fatigue, weakness, muscle spasms, seizures, depression and inability to sit for long periods of time.

Lightning often strikes as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall. Many deaths from lightning occur ahead of the storm because people try and wait to the last minute before seeking shelter. If you can hear thunder, lightning is close enough that it could strike your location at any moment. Look for dark cloud bases and increasing wind. Every flash of lightning is dangerous, even the first. Head to safety before that first flash occurs. Lightning can travel sideways for up to 10 miles. Even when the sky looks blue and clear, be cautious. At least 10 percent of lightning occurs without visible clouds overhead in the sky.

The most dangerous place to be in the event of a storm is outside. You want to first seek shelter in a sturdy, closed building that contains a mechanism for conducting the electrical current from the point of contact to the ground. Avoid sheds, picnic shelters, baseball dugouts, bleachers, open carports, garages and covered patios, which are not safe from lightning strikes. If no enclosed building is accessible, get inside a hard-topped all-metal vehicle.

If you can't get to a sturdy shelter, crouch down low in an open area. Stay at least twice as far away from trees as they are tall. Since water is an excellent conductor of electricity, avoid standing in or near puddles. Also, remember to avoid holding anything that will conduct or even attract lightning, such as golf clubs, fishing poles or tennis racquets.

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