SUGAR LAND, Texas – You remember the saying when thunder roars go indoors? Well, this is a classic example why.
Bonnie Ashby in Sugar Land shared a picture of one of her trees which was split by a lightning strike during thunderstorms Thursday.
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While lightning is one of the most common things associated with thunderstorms, it ranks among the top weather killers annually in the United States. On average, about 50 people every year die due to lightning and hundreds of others are injured.
What is lightning?
The National Weather Service defines lightning as a rapid discharge of electrical energy in the atmosphere. The resulting clap of thunder is the result of a shock wave created by the rapid heating and cooling of the air in the lightning channel.
It results from the buildup and discharge of electrical energy between positively and negatively charged ice particles within the storm cloud.
Eventually, when the charge difference between the negative charge in the cloud and the positive charge on the ground become large, the negative charge starts moving toward the ground. As it moves, it creates a conductive path toward the ground.
This path follows a zigzag shape as the negative charge jumps through segments in the air. When the negative charge from the cloud makes a connection with the positive charge on the ground, current surges through the jagged path, creating a visible flash of lightning.
The dangers of lightning
Lightning is no joke. It can heat up to 50,000 degrees, five times hotter than the surface of the sun.
An incorrect phrase that has sometimes said is lightning never strikes the same place twice. This is not true and in fact completely opposite of the truth. Lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly, particularly tall, isolated objects.
Consequently, most victims of lightning strikes are in open areas or near trees.
Lightning safety
If you hear thunder or see lightning, you should head for shelter right away.
A good shelter is one with electricity and/or plumbing or a metal-topped vehicle with the windows closed. Picnic shelters, dugouts, small buildings without plumbing or electricity are not safe.
Once inside, there are several things you can do to protect yourself:
- Don’t touch electrical equipment or cords.
- Avoid plumbing. Do not wash your hands, take a shower or wash dishes.
- Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
- Do not lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls.
Once the storm passes, it is a good rule of thumb to stay inside for at least 30 minutes from the last time you hear thunder. While most lightning victims are struck as a storm is approaching, a good number are struck after a storm has passed as lightning can continue to pose a danger even though the main storm itself has already passed.