Lightning Awareness Week begins as summer storms brew

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — While June 21 is the official start to summer, June 22 is the official start of Lightning Awareness Week due to the increased likelihood of lightning strikes during the next three months.

Lightning is the second leading storm-related killer in the United States, and according to State Farm spokesperson Dave Phillips, cost the company $149 million in claims last year.

“People tend to forget the importance of playing it safe and being safe both outdoors–when they’re out and about during the summer months–to heed warnings from storms and to understand that there are a lot of myths when it comes to lightning,” Phillips said.

Some of the myths–like being safer in your car–are not entirely true. While you may be safer in your vehicle during a storm, the vehicle can still sustain damage from a lightning strike, though the majority of damage is to electronics.

“In most instances, a lot of the damage is primarily done to electronic equipment and to power surges that result in the home from the lightning strike,” he said.

Phillips recommends having a surge protector for your home to protect your electronic equipment.

“If the house is hit and you don’t have a surge protector, whether it’s on an individual electronic device or for the entire home, the surge can short-circuit appliances and cable TVs and anything that’s linked to the electronics.”

While property damage is the most likely outcome of lightning related incidents—30 percent of U.S. businesses suffer damage from lightning storms—lightning can be particularly dangerous when proper precautions aren’t taken.

“You don’t necessarily have to see rain to be struck by lightning,” Philips said. “The storm can be several miles away without rain hitting an area where a lightning strike can occur.”

Some 26 people died in 2014 as a result of lightning strikes. In 2012, a Harrison County teen was fortunate to survive a direct strike. But he fit the demographic. More than four out of five lightning strike deaths are male between ages 10-35, and likely participating in outdoor recreation.

In 2014, West Virginia ranked 30th nationally with 149 claims costing more than $603,000, per State Farm. The insurer reported paying 20,325 lightning claims nationwide in 2014.

For more information you can check out the Lightning Protection Institute.





More News

News
MetroNews This Morning 3-29-24
Summary of West Virginia news, sports, and weather for Friday, March 29, 2024
March 29, 2024 - 6:24 am
News
Dunlow Volunteer Fire Department closes
The Dunlow VFD did not have a valid workers compensation insurance policy.
March 29, 2024 - 1:23 am
News
As Yeager Airport's Wildlife Patrol Dog turns 7, a new dog comes in to learn from him
The new Border Collie is getting acclimated and receiving training for his soon-to-be role.
March 28, 2024 - 6:30 pm
News
PEIA examines financial effects of new law meant to ensure local pharmacies get fair reimbursements
Gov. Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 453 into law this week.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm