Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Skyler Harman strikes down lightning myths
Weather produces many awe-inspiring visuals—from cool cloud formations to lighting! Some of these are more dangerous and more myth-inspiring than others.
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Weather produces many awe-inspiring visuals—from cool cloud formations to lighting. Some of these are more dangerous and more myth inspiring than others.
Lightning is especially prone to myths. For example, it may be easy to dismiss the risk of being struck by lightning due to the risk of being struck as a “one-in-a-million” chance.
But are those odds accurate?
According to the National Weather Service, based on the US population and the amount of lightning that strikes people per year, your odds of being struck by lightning are approximately 1 in 1,222,000 per year.
However, if you factor in an approximate lifetime of 80 years, that statistic becomes one in 15,300.
To make these numbers a little closer to home, here are some towns with population amounts that can have our lightning statistics equate to one per town.
The numbers are not a guarantee that one person per town will be struck by lightning.
CONNECTICUT:
-Orange: 14,243
-New Fairfield: 13,596
NEW JERSEY:
1 in 15,300 is approximately one in:
-Metuchen: 14,953
-Asbury Park: 15,466
-Somerville: 14,696
LONG ISLAND:
Greenlawn: 15,277
Riverhead: 14,534
Jericho: 14,634
HUDSON VALLEY:
Pearl River: 16,504
Beacon: 15,259
Rye: 16,092
Another lightning myth that needs confirmed or struck down is it safe to have physical contact with someone after they have been struck by lightning.
The answer is: yes. They might need CPR or other lifesaving measures, so do not be afraid of getting shocked after the fact.
Another common myth is that lightning never strikes the same place twice.
False!
There have been plenty of images after storms of popular places like the Empire State Building, World Trade Center or Kingda Ka (the world’s tallest rollercoaster located in New Jersey) or even the Verezzano Bridge being struck by lightning.
These tall landmarks get struck frequently, thus, lightning can strike the same place twice.
If you see lightning, it is best to head indoors where you will be safer.
Lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from a thunderstorm.
While thunderstorms are more common in the summer, a thunderstorm can happen any time of year.
When you hear thunder or see lightning, go inside, and stay safe.
