NationalWeatherServiceLogoLightning Safety Awareness Week is being observed throughout the nation, June 24-28 and the National Weather Service is taking to the road to promote lightning safety awareness.

On Monday, Dr. Steve Lyons spoke to the Rotary Club at Texas State Technical College in Sweetwater.  Tuesday, Hector Guerrero taught safety training to the staff at Sudden Link in Abilene.  They will host a media interview day at their National Weather Service office in San Angelo Wednesday.  Thursday, they will be participating in San Angelo’s TXDot Safety Fair in Abilene.

Although they will not be making a stop in Brown County this week, they offer the following reminder of quick safety tips regarding lightning:

Lightning: What You Need to Know

  • NO PLACE outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area!
  • If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you.
  • When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter: a substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with windows up.
  • Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.

Indoor Lightning Safety

  • Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity.
  • Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets.
  • Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
  • Do not lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete walls.

Last Resort Outdoor Risk Reduction Tips

If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby the following actions may reduce your risk:

  • Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks
  • Never lie flat on the ground
  • Never shelter under an isolated tree
  • Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter
  • Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water
  • Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.)