Will You Be Safe Indoors During A Lightning Storm In Tampa Bay?
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
With the Tampa Bay area being the “Lightning Capital of the Country,” it’s a good idea to know the things you should and shouldn’t do during a storm.
When you hear thunder around Tampa Bay, does that mean it’s time to run inside your home or inside a building? Is that the place where we will be safest?
Yes. That is a safer place to be. According to people at the National Weather Service (NWS), going to find safety and shelter indoors is the best way to avoid being struck by lightning. But there are still some dangers once you are inside.
There have been instances where someone has been struck by lightning inside a building. And it might be more than you think. The CDC put out information stating that 33 percent of people who are injured by a lightning strike were injured inside. How can this be?
A meteorologist from KODE explains it as follows: “Some of the safety measures that you need to take when you’re indoors during a lightning storm would be considering how things are grounded in your home.”
There are certain things you should do in your home if it’s lightning outside to avoid a dangerous situation. When I was a kid, I always remember hearing, “Don’t get in the shower or bath if there is a lightning storm outside.” This is very true. Even washing dishes could be dangerous. The reason you have to worry about these scenarios has to do with your plumbing. Plumbing is grounded, and of course, lightning conducts electricity.
One more piece of advice to take to heart: Using appliances could prove dangerous, as well.
The National Weather Service says Florida is the lightning capital of the country. So wherever you are in our Sunshine State, when the lighting storms comes, take cover.
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7 Severe Weather Safety Tips That May Save Your Life
Nobody likes dealing with severe weather. But, it’s part of life. Depending on where you live in the United States, you might come up against hurricanes, tornados, severe thunderstorms, blizzards and more. I’ve certainly had my fair share of severe weather events. Probably my most vivid memory was being in an ice storm, which knocked power out for about a week where I lived, including during Christmas. It was freezing cold, so my family and I had to go to a hotel that was out of town. Needless to say, our Christmas plans were totally different that year. So, what are some severe weather safety tips that may safe your life?
Before we get to the main tips, let’s get through some basics. Stay informed when a severe weather event is approaching. It’s simple but important. You don’t want to be caught off guard when bad weather strikes. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service both have information that they provide leading up to and during a severe weather event. So, make sure to get the latest information in the case of any weather emergency. Local meteorologists also have good information, but the main alerts come from the National Weather Service.
Another mistake some people make is not taking “watches” seriously. For example, you might see that there’s a severe thunderstorm watch in your area and think, oh, it’s just a watch, I can go out for a walk. Don’t do it. “A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain,” the National Weather Service explains. We’ll get more into the specifics of a watch, warning and advisory later in this story.
Let’s get into some severe weather safety tips that may safe your life.
Roxanne is a co-host on the MJ Morning Show and host of Middays on Q105 in Tampa Bay. She also hosts segments on The Current, which features local feel-good stories and health and wellness segments, and airs on five of the six Tampa-based Beasley Media Group stations. Roxanne has conducted hundreds of interviews, from athletes to Oscar winners, including Matt Damon, Christian Bale, and Chadwick Boseman. She also specializes in media training, having worked with clients in the NFL, NBA and WWE for television, in print, and online. Roxanne is a published author and will be releasing a thriller novel in 2024. Her favorite thing in the world is being with her two daughters and husband. As a content creator for Q105, Roxanne writes about family activities in the Tampa Bay area, as well as reviews for local restaurants and travel.