During the last several years, John Jensenius and NOAA have worked especially hard to educate us about the dangers caused by lightning strikes. Ten years ago 75 people died from lightning (on average). In recent years, the number hovers around 35 – 40. In 2011 there were only 26 recorded deaths. Lightning is the second leading weather killer (to floods). One has to credit education and awareness by coaches and individuals for the sharp decline. This is what we know:
• A direct hit is almost always fatal.
• Central Florida is the lightning capital of the United States.
• June and July are the deadliest months for a strike.
• The man recognized by Guinness for the most lightning strikes is US Park Ranger, Roy Sullivan. During his 35 year career was hit an amazing 7 times.
• Lightning can strike up to 10 miles away.
• The odds of being struck by lightning in a single year are 1/ 1,100,000
• The odds of being struck by lightning in an 80 year lifetimes is 1/80,000
So, we are early into the season and thus far there are 4 recorded deaths.
• 1 in Alabama, 2 in Louisiana, and 1 in Florida.
• All were male
• 3 of the 4 were fishing
• The most recent (June 8th) took the life of accomplished pro fisherman Lorenzo Magdaleno after noon prior to the final weigh in at the TBF Southern Division Championship on Lake Okeechobee. A quick moving storm passed over the giant lake. Parts of the lake caught the storm while others only saw sunshine.
The 2012 Farmers’ Almanac features true life tales of people surviving a strike along with safety tips – check it out. If you are a coach, be aware of where storm might be and err on the side of caution. I have been stuck on a lake during a storm and know these can come and go quickly. With so many mobile phones, check the weather status often. It is the safe thing to do.
Peter Geiger is the Editor of the Farmers' Almanac. 
If you notice a hole in the upper left-hand corner of your Farmers' Almanac, don't return it to the store! That hole isn't a defect; it's a part of history. Starting with the first edition of the Farmers' Almanac in 1818, readers used to nail holes into the corners to hang it up in their homes, barns, and outhouses (to provide both reading material and toilet paper). In 1910, the Almanac's publishers began pre-drilling holes in the corners to make it even easier for readers to keep all of that invaluable information (and paper) handy.
0 comments
Kick things off by filling out the form below.
Leave a Comment