NWS Little Rock, AR - Text Viewer

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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
600 AM CST Tue Mar 4 2025

...Todays Topic for Severe Weather Awareness Week is Lightning...

The National Weather Service, in cooperation with the Arkansas 
Department of Emergency Management, has proclaimed the week of 
March 2nd through the 8th as Severe Weather Awareness Week 
in Arkansas. 

A different topic will be discussed each day, and the topic 
today is lightning. 

Lightning is a hazard in all thunderstorms, whether they are 
severe or not. In the last 30 years, lightning was the third 
deadliest thunderstorm hazard behind flash floods and tornadoes. 
In that time frame, there was an average of 30 to 40 fatalities
a year due to lightning across the country.

Overall, thanks to safety campaigns and increased awareness, 
lightning deaths heave steadily decreased in the last twenty 
years. In Arkansas, there were only 9 casualties since 2006.

Most lightning deaths occur in the summer (June, July and 
August) when people are outdoors. Eight out of ten
victims of lightning are male.

If a person is struck by lightning, the body will not retain 
any electrical charge. Thus, the injured person can and should
be cared for immediately. 

Lightning can strike as much as 10 miles away from a thunderstorm 
cloud. Given this, it is no surprise that most lightning deaths 
occur as a thunderstorm is approaching or moving away, and not 
necessarily overhead. 

Lightning tends to strike tall objects, but not always. The air 
is a poor conductor of electricity, so lightning will often go 
the shortest distance to make a connection from cloud to ground. 

Statistics show that Arkansas is a top 10 state as far as lightning 
activity. The state experiences more than 800,000 cloud-to-ground 
lightning flashes per year.

...Some Lightning Safety Rules...

Remember, it is lightning that causes thunder. If you can hear 
thunder, you are in danger from lightning. When thunder roars, go
indoors. The safest place is a fully-enclosed building that is 
grounded. A hard-top car is also a safe location. Keep the windows 
rolled up and do not touch metal inside the vehicle. 

Do not take shelter in small sheds, pavilions, or tents, or under 
trees. Stay away from higher elevations spots such as hilltops, and 
avoid nearby poles and towers.

Move away from chain-link fences and other metal fences such as 
those around ballparks and playgrounds. 

Motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, and farm tractors are not safe 
places. 

If you are in the water, get out immediately. If you are in a 
boat, head toward safe harbor.

Organizers of events/activities are advised to designate a 
weather watcher. Assign an official who will stop the
events/activities when lightning becomes imminent. Have
specific evacuation instructions in place so people know
where to go.    

Telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity, so do 
not use electrical appliances or corded phones. Computers and 
other expensive electronic equipment may be damaged by power 
surges. You may consider unplugging these items. 

Stay out of the bathtub or shower. 

Get off the golf course.

&&

For a list of all the tornadoes and other significant weather events 
that occurred in 2024...

https://www.weather.gov/media/lzk/StormsOf2024.pdf

$$

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