Lightning Safety Awareness Week Published June 15, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Corbin McIntire 5th Bomb Wing Safety Office MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- It's a beautiful summer afternoon, hot and nearly bug free. A long sun drenched evening waits on the other side of those rapidly building black clouds. You will be able to play the back nine at leisure, or land a few more walleyes. In the meantime, you have time for a few more putts or casts as lightening plays along the edge of the approaching cloud bank. Think about this as the distant rumbles grow closer; in the United States, there are an estimated 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes each year. Lightning can be fascinating to watch, but it is also extremely dangerous. During the past 30 years, lightning killed an average of 80 people per year in the United States, which is only slightly less than the combined average of hurricane and tornado deaths. However, lightning usually claims only one or two victims at a time, and does not cause the mass destruction of tornadoes or hurricanes, so it generally receives much less attention than more destructive weather-related killers. Documented lightning injuries in the United States average about 300 per year. According to Staff Sgt. Julie Rhoades 5th Operations Support Squadron Weather Forecaster, there is an average of 31 thunderstorms a year in the Minot AFB area, which could potentially equate to millions of lightning bolts. "We do not track individual lightning strikes because we would always be busy counting." Sergeant Rhoades says, "There are too many in one single storm to keep track." Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles away from the rain area in a thunderstorm. When a storm is 10 miles away, it may be difficult to hear thunder or even tell a storm is coming. The first stroke of lightning can be as powerful as the last. If the sky looks threatening, take shelter before you hear thunder. During the storm, each flash of lightning is a potential killer. In addition to the visible flash, the current associated with the lightning discharge travels along the ground. Some victims are struck directly by the main lightning stroke, but many victims are struck as the current moves in and along the ground. The National Severe Storms Laboratory offers the following tip about storm distances; 1.) When you see lightning, count the time until you hear thunder. If that time is 30 seconds or less, the thunderstorm is within 6 miles of you and is dangerous. 2.) Seek shelter immediately. The threat of lightning continues for much longer period than most people realize. 3.) Wait at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before leaving shelter. Don't be fooled by sunshine or blue sky. Threats do not just exist when we are outside during thunderstorms. People should stay away from windows and doors and avoid contact with anything that conducts electricity. People may also want to take certain actions well before the storm to protect property within their homes, such as electronic equipment. Remember, each year, about 400 children and adults in the U.S. are struck by lightning, and about 80 of those die. Don't add to the statistics, take cover whenever a storm heads in your direction and keep your family, friends, and loved ones safe this summer.