News

Nov 13, 2023

How to stay safe when lightning strikes

Plumas County has experienced a barrage of lightning strikes over the past

Plumas County has experienced a barrage of lightning strikes over the past several days and there is much more predicted for the coming week. At a time when there are numerous outdoor activities planned, Plumas News thought it would be a good time to remind individuals about what to do if they are caught outside in a storm.

The following scenarios and what-you-should-do information are shared by the National Weather Service. Take the time to read it, some of the advice might surprise you.

At the beach or lake

Your family plans to go to the beach today. The weather forecast calls for a nice morning followed by a 30 percent chance of afternoon thunderstorms. When you get to the beach, you see that the only nearby structures are open-sided picnic shelters. The parking lot is a 5 minute walk from the beach. By early afternoon skies are darkening and you hear distant thunder. What should you do? Go to your car! Do NOT seek shelter under the beach picnic shelters. Wait 30 minutes until after the last rumble of thunder before going back to the beach.

Outdoor sports teams

Your Little League team has an evening game at the local recreation park. The weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies, with a chance of thunderstorms by early evening. When you arrive at the park, you notice the only safe buildings are the restrooms. Shortly after sunset, the sky gets cloudy and you see bright flashes in the sky. What should you do? Get everyone into vehicles or the restrooms. Do NOT stay in the dugouts; they are NOT safe during lighting activity. Once in a safe place, wait 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder to resume play.

Camping or climbing or other activities

You’re cooking dinner on the camp stove when you hear distant rumbles of thunder. Your tent and a large open-sided picnic shelter are nearby. Your vehicle is about a quarter of a mile away parked at the trail head. What should you do? Go to your vehicle! The tent and picnic shelter are NOT safe places. Wait 30 minutes until the last rumble of thunder before going back to the campsite. For those who cannot get to a vehicle, here are tips from the National Outdoor Leadership School on what to do in the back country, in a canoe, etc.

When a Safe Location is not Nearby

If you absolutely cannot get to safety, you can slightly lessen the threat of being struck by lightning with the following tips. But don't kid yourself–you are NOT safe outside. Know the weather patterns of the area you plan to visit. For example, in mountainous areas, thunderstorms typically develop in the early afternoon, so plan to hike early in the day and be down the mountain by noon. Listen to the weather forecast for the outdoor area you plan to visit. The forecast may be very different from the one near your home. If there is a high chance of thunderstorms, stay inside.

More information can be found here: Lightning-Brochure18