Lightning Strikes & Your Best Defense: A Comprehensive Guide
Unusual Lighting Event: Dealing with the Mystery of Flashing Neither Beeches Nor Oaks - Seek shelter during thunderstorms due to lightning risks.
Are you really better off seeking cover under beech trees and avoiding oak and willow during a thunderstorm? Well, buckle up, 'cause that old saying ain't all it's cracked up to be!
Forensic pathologist Fred Zack, who's had nearly 30 years of experience studying the often deadly aftermath of lightning, says flat out: "No, absolutely not." The rumor has persisted due to its catchy rhyme, but Zack's preparing to debunk this and other misconceptions in his latest book, "Lightning Essentials – Knowledge, Myths, and Maximizing Your Protection."
Although he began as a medical textbook, this one’s aimed at the general public. Why? Well, there are about ten lightning-related deaths and 100 injuries in Germany each year, and Zack wants his readers to be informed to help avoid these fatalities.
One widely held belief is that if it's a clear-blue sky, there's little risk of getting struck by lightning. That's a myth, baby! Thunder-free skies are no protection at all. Lightning can strike several kilometers beyond the storm cell and even hit you when the sun's shining.
In 2024, there were 209,619 lightning strikes in Germany on average, roughly every 2.5 minutes—a lower-than-average number compared to the historical average but more frequent than the two previous years. Bavaria saw the most strikes, with a staggering 56,664, while Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania counted 11,880. These statistics only reflect ground strikes, not cloud-to-cloud discharges.
The power of lightning is phenomenal, often measured in amperes. But for a clearer visualization, consider Zack's explanation: the thickness of a thumb represents the lightning channel's core, and it reaches a scorching 30,000 degrees Celsius. Gold chains? Gone in a flash, literally!
Large, flat areas like golf courses or sports fields can be dangerous terrain during thunderstorms. Fatalities and injuries among football players are alarmingly common due to what's called step voltage: the electricity generated by lightning moving through the ground and entering the body through one foot before exiting through the other.
Zack's latest book drives home a vital message: "When thunder rolls, head indoors!" While Germany's risk of lightning strikes is low compared to countries like India or South American nations, the only guaranteed safety is indoors, as rural areas with fewer structures present more targets for electric bolts in the sky.
Still, without a fortress around you, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk. Here's what Fred Zack's research recommends:
- Seek shelter in well-grounded buildings with wiring and plumbing or hard-topped vehicles if possible. Outdoor shelters, such as tents or picnic shelters, offer no protection at all.
- Avoid isolated trees, since they are prime targets for lightning strikes.
- Plan ahead, checking weather forecasts and identifying safe indoor shelters before outdoor activities.
Keep an eye on the clock, too. Adopt the 30-30 rule: If the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is less than 30 seconds, lightning is close enough to be dangerous – wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before venturing back outside.
And be ready for early warnings. Lightning prediction and alert systems can provide alerts up to 8 to 20 minutes before strikes, allowing time to seek shelter.
Lastly, consider lightning protection systems for your home or building, such as lightning rods or advanced systems like the CMCE Lightning Suppressor, to prevent or mitigate damage from lightning strikes. Stay safe!
Book: "Lightning Essentials – Knowledge, Myths, and Maximizing Your Protection"Lightning: Dangerous electric bolts from the skyGermany: The country with a relatively low risk of lightning strikes, compared to India or South AmericaRostock: City where Fred Zack worked at the Institute of Legal MedicineFolk wisdom: Traditional beliefs that have circulated over timeThunderstorm: A storm characterized by thunder and lightningFred Zack: Forensic pathologist and expert on lightning
Sources:- "Lightning Main Points" (Institute of Legal Medicine, Rostock)- "Lightning Protection for Buildings" (National Lightning Safety Institute)- "Lightning Myths" (National Weather Service)
- The Commission, in light of Zack's latest book, could propose a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, given the potential dangers posed by lightning.
- Just as science debunks the myths surrounding lightning, it continues to advance in various fields like health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, nutrition, and sports, addressing numerous aspects of our daily lives.
- In the midst of a football match, players, fans, and all those on the sports field need to be aware of the lightning threats and follow Zack's advice to seek shelter when they hear thunder, similar to the precautions that must be taken in other outdoor activities during thunderstorms.
- After witnessing the power of lightning during a thunderstorm, one might feel an urge to learn more about this natural phenomenon, diving deeper into the world of science, potentially fueling an interest in learning about other earthly mysteries, such as the universe, plants, animals, and human biology.
