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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Binghamton NY
837 AM EDT Tue Jun 20 2017

This week, June 18th through 24th, is New York State Lightning
Safety Awareness Week.  This is the second in a series of daily
public information statements issued by the National Weather Service
in Binghamton containing information on lightning and lightning
safety.

Lightning`s most deadly activities.

If you`re outside when a thunderstorm is in the area, you`re at risk
of being struck and potentially killed or seriously injured by
lightning.  However, there are some activities that lead to more
lightning deaths and injuries than others.

In the past 10 years, leisure activities led to almost two thirds of
the lightning fatalities in the United States.
Water-related activities, and particularly fishing, contributedmost
to the fatalities.  Since 2006, 33 people died while fishing from
being struck from lightning.

Boating and beach activities also contributed significantly to the
death toll. In almost all cases, victims simply waited far too long
before starting to seek shelter.

When it comes to water-related activities, there are two important
things to remember.

*  Always have a plan so that you can get to a safe place before a
   storm arrives.

*  Head to that safe place immediately if you see any sign of a
   developing, or of an approaching thunderstorm. Do not hesitate!

Lightning Myth of the Day - If it`s not raining or there aren`t
clouds overhead, you`re safe from lightning.

Fact: Lightning often strikes more than three miles from the center
of the thunderstorm, far outside the rain or thunderstorm cloud.
"Bolts from the blue" can strike 10-15 miles from the thunderstorm.

Did you knot that When lightning strikes water, most of the
discharge occurs along the surface of the water.  Since most fish
swim well below the water surface, they are safe.  However, people
normally swim along the surface of the water and can easily be
killed by a lightning discharge.

Here`s a list of topics that will be covered later this week.

Wednesday - Lightning safety and sports activities Thursday -
Lightning safety at work Friday - Lightning safety around the home.

For additional information about lightning or lightning safety,
visit NOAA`s lightning safety awareness web site at:

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/

You can also contact David Nicosia, Warning Coordination
Meteorologist, for NOAA`s National Weather Service in Binghamton at
607-770-9531 x 223 or via email at David.Nicosia@noaa.gov

or

Kat Hawley, Meteorologist, for NOAA`s National Weather Service in
Binghamton at (607) 729-1597 x 4 or via email at
Katherine.Hawley@noaa.gov

$$

KAH