![]() “Just because you’re dry doesn’t mean you’re safe,” he said. People sometimes hide under a tree to stay dry, which actually raises the odds of being struck by lightning. Vagasky also addressed a misconception that lightning injuries are associated with rain or swimming. He clarified that an open-air structure such as a picnic shelter is not substantial enough to protect against lightning. Instead, people should move into a hard-topped vehicle or substantial building. “There is no safe place outdoors,” he said. Vagasky stressed that people should always practice lightning safety when participating in outside activities. According to the National Weather Service, 19 people died of lightning strikes in 2022. At the storm’s peak, lightning was detected in Ian’s eyewall every three seconds.Įven though it’s rare, lightning deaths do occur. According to its lightning report, Vaisala detected more than 34,000 lightning events associated with Hurricane Ian. Hurricane Ian did make some impact on the lightning total, though Vagasky said that 80% of the lightning count is attributed to sea breeze events. When these breezes collide, even stronger storm activity can occur. Gulf and sea breezes move inland every day, especially during the summer, and the moist air creates the conditions needed for thunderstorms to brew. Lighting events increased in Florida by 27% compared to 2021.Ĭhris Vagasky, meteorologist and lightning expert at Vaisala, said Florida experiences heavy lightning due to its geography as a peninsula. Florida also ranked second, behind Texas, in total lightning count with a staggering 18,706,904 lightning strikes. Louisiana and Mississippi came in second and third place, respectively. states, with 285 lightning events per square mile. We ask our residents to review severe weather safety tips, stay indoors during storms if at all possible, and stay up to date on thunderstorm forecasts in the area.”įlorida scored first place in lightning density among all 50 U.S. Megan Milanese, the director of Lake County’s Office of Emergency Management said in a statement: “Storm safety shouldn’t just be practiced during hurricane season. The suburb takes the crown from Flatonia, Texas, as lightning capital of the United States. According to environmental technology company Vaisala, Four Corners ranked first in lightning density this year with 474 lightning events per square kilometer, or 1,229 lightning events per square mile.įour Corners is an unincorporated community just west of Walt Disney World spanning portions of Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Polk Counties. Four Corners, Florida saw more lightning in 2022 than any other community in the United States.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |