Injuries caused by lightning strikes have been prominent in the news lately, including 20 people recently harmed in South Carolina and a strike that resulted in the death of a 25-year-old man in Florida. In fact, according to the National Weather Service, three more fatalities already have been reported this year in North Carolina, Mississippi and Texas. People seem to have forgotten a wise, old adage: “When thunder roars, go indoors!”
According to the Insurance Information Institute, over 1,800 thunderstorms are occurring somewhere in the world at any point in time. Lightning can strike up to 20 miles outside of an actual storm cloud. If you hear thunder, take shelter in a structure or hard-top vehicle.
There are many mistaken beliefs you should understand for your protection; let’s debunk these myths now.
MYTH #1
Lightning never strikes the same place twice: WRONG! Many spots are struck repeatedly.
MYTH #2
Avoid being the tallest object in the area, and being under a tree is better than no shelter at all: In truth, lightning will strike the ground, a tree, a car or anywhere else. And a tree can carry an electrical charge into the ground, which could injure you as well.
MYTH #3
If there is no rain and no clouds above you, you are safe: Wrong again — lightning often strikes far outside of the clouds, even when the sky appears clear.
A helpful way to gauge how far away the lightning may be is the “flash-to-bang” rule. By counting the seconds between the lightning flash and the subsequent thunder sound, you can determine the approximation of distance in miles. Generally, each five seconds equates to a distance of one mile.
If the gap between light and sound is under 30 seconds, you should seek shelter. Even being in a structure does not guarantee the lightning will not strike the structure, but at least you are providing a large buffer for your protection.
Property damage from lightning is covered by standard homeowners insurance and under the comprehensive portion of your car’s auto policy, but bodily harm from lightning isn’t easily remedied. Consult with a knowledgeable insurance agent to understand your options for the best available protection. Carefully review your policy’s terms and conditions.