A Florida woman captured this scary moment when an electrical fire zipped through the powerlines near her home. It reminded me of the sparks we saw in the movie Back to the Future when Marty and Doc jumped in that DeLorean and achieved time travel! Fortunately it looks like no one was hurt and the fire burned itself out as it reached the end of the last line you see in the video.
Paul Dellegatto from Fox 13 seems to think it was caused by a fault current. A tree might have been knocked on to the power lines due to the heavy winds we had. He says this was shot in the Shore Acres neighborhood of St. Pete, which is a VERY short drive from Q105. Yikes.
Thunderstorms can be both fascinating and scary, with their electrifying displays of lightning and booming thunder. However, not everyone knows that there are certain things you’re not supposed to do when there’s a thunderstorm.
During the summer months, thunderstorms occur frequently due to the high humidity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 73 percent of lightning-related fatalities occur in June, July, and August. According to the National Weather Service, an excess of moisture in the atmosphere, atmospheric instability, and a triggering mechanism are the conditions that lead to thunderstorms. When these elements are combined, they can unleash a powerful symphony of heavy rainfall, thunder, lightning, strong winds, and even hail.
Being prepared for thunderstorms
The American Red Cross has some advice on how to get ready for those wild summer thunderstorms. Taking preventive measures like subscribing to local government emergency alerts, equipping your home with backup batteries, and devising a family plan for hazardous weather situations can all prove invaluable during emergencies.
Thunderstorm myths and misconceptions
When it comes to thunderstorms, there are plenty of myths and misconceptions about what you should avoid doing. One of the most common misconceptions is that wearing rubber-soled shoes or being inside a car with rubber tires makes us immune to lightning strikes. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Lightning can still travel through the ground or the metal frame of a car, even if it has rubber tires.
Many people believe that as long as they’re not directly under the storm cloud, they are safe from lightning strikes. However, lightning bolts can extend horizontally for significant distances, reaching as far as 10 miles away from the storm. And also keep in mind that trees, especially tall ones, are prime targets for lightning strikes due to their height and conductivity.
Along with getting prepared and knowing thunderstorm myths, you have to know what not to do during a thunderstorm.
Here are 5 things you should never do during a thunderstorm.
Geno's passions include food, sports, travel, and music. His radio career began in his hometown of Portland, Maine. Follow @GenoRadio.