Critical days of summer: Protect yourself from dangers of summer weather

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sean Johnson
  • 341st Missile Wing Safety
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Summer weather presents a tremendous amount of opportunity for outdoor living and sports. Between fishing, camping and sightseeing; off-duty time seems to go by faster and faster. Montana's weather presents unique threats to individuals within Air Force Global Strike Command: primarily lightning and tornadoes. Using risk management to mitigate the risks of summer weather will ensure an enjoyable experience while outdoors.

To date, 18 people have died from being struck by lightning. One of those deaths, according to the Billings Gazette, occurred right here in Montana only a few weeks ago. Summer is the peak season for one of the nation's deadliest weather phenomena-- lightning. In the United States, an average of 55 people are reported killed each year by lightning, according the National Weather Service.

Lightning is fascinating to watch but also extremely dangerous. In the United States, there are about 25 million lightning flashes every year. Each of those 25 million flashes is a potential killer. While lightning fatalities have decreased over the past 30 years, lightning continues to be one of the top three storm-related killers in the United States. In addition, lightning injures many more people than it kills and leaves some victims with life-long health problems. People struck by lightning suffer from a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms including memory loss, attention deficits, sleep disorders, chronic pain, numbness, dizziness, stiffness in joints, irritability, fatigue, weakness, muscle spasms and depression. Understanding the dangers of lightning is important in order to get to a safe place when thunderstorms threaten. If thunder can be heard, even a distant rumble or a crackling, the danger of becoming a victim of lightning is possible.

The best way to protect from lightning is to avoid the threat. Don't be caught outside in a storm. Have a lightning safety plan and cancel or postpone activities early if thunderstorms are expected. Monitor weather conditions and get to a safe place before the weather becomes threatening. Substantial buildings and hard-topped vehicles are safe options. Rain shelters, small sheds and open vehicles are not safe.

If someone is struck by lightning, they may need immediate medical attention. Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge and are safe to touch. Call 911 and monitor the victim. Start CPR or use an Automated External Defibrillator if needed.

Tornadoes are also a common threat during the summer. Just last year, two individuals in Montana perished when their home was hit by a tornado. The important facts to remember about tornadoes are that they are dangerous and unpredictable but also that those dangers can be mitigated by being informed. The National Weather Service issues Tornado Watches and Tornado Warnings depending on what the threat is to a certain area.

The difference is a Tornado Watch defines an area shaped like a parallelogram where tornadoes and other kinds of severe weather are possible in the next several hours. It does not mean tornadoes are imminent. A Tornado Warning means that a tornado has been spotted, or that Doppler radar indicates a thunderstorm circulation which can spawn a tornado. Taking care to keep up with local area watches and warnings is key to knowing what to do in the event of bad weather.

There is no such thing as guaranteed safety inside a tornado. Freak accidents happen; and the most violent tornadoes can level and blow away almost any house and its occupants. Extremely violent tornadoes are very rare though. Most tornadoes are actually much weaker and can be survived using these safety ideas:

· In a house with a basement: Get in the basement and under some kind of sturdy protection (heavy table or work bench) or cover with a mattress or sleeping bag.

· In a house with no basement; a dorm or an apartment: Avoid windows. Go to the lowest floor, small center room (like a bathroom or closet), under a stairwell or in an interior hallway with no windows.

· In an office building, hospital, nursing home or skyscraper: Go directly to an enclosed, windowless area in the center of the building -- away from glass and on the lowest floor if possible.

· In a mobile home: Get out! Even if the home is tied down, one would probably be safer outside, even if the only alternative is to seek shelter out in the open.

· At school: Follow the drill! Go to the interior hall or room in an orderly way as instructed.

· In a car or truck: Vehicles are extremely dangerous in a tornado. If the tornado is visible, far away and the traffic is light, you may be able to drive out of its path by moving at right angles to the tornado. Otherwise, park the car as quickly and safely as possible -- out of the traffic lanes -and get out and seek shelter in a sturdy building. If no shelter is available, lie flat and face-down, protecting the back of your head with your arms.

· In the open outdoors: If possible, seek shelter in a sturdy building. If not, lie flat and face-down on low ground, protecting the back of the head with the arms.

· In a shopping mall or large store: Do not panic; watch for others. Move as quickly as possible to an interior bathroom, storage room or other small enclosed area, away from windows.

Lightning and tornadoes present a real weather threat and the warnings given by weather agencies should be heeded. Have a plan for such events for the home and for summer trips.