NOAA: Lightning is 'underrated killer'

This week is National Lightning Safety Week. Lightning is the number-two thunderstorm-related killer, ranking second only to floods.

Most summertime storms will bring lightning and thus are potentially deadly.

In 2007, Texas had six lightning fatalities. This ranked second in the nation behind Florida, which had 11 deaths. All six of the Texas victims were outdoors.

In the U.S., there are an estimated 25 million lightning flashes each year.

During the past 30 years, lightning killed an average of 62 people per year, tying the average of 62 deaths per year caused by tornadoes.

Yet because lightning usually claims only one or two victims at a time and does not cause mass destruction of property, it is underrated as a risk.

While documented lightning injuries in the U.S. average about 300 per year, undocumented injuries likely are much higher.

Watch for developing thunderstorms. Thunderstorms are most likely to develop on spring or summer days but can occur year-round. As the sun heats the air, pockets of warmer air start to rise and cumulus clouds form.

Continued heating can cause the clouds to grow vertically into towering cumulus clouds, often the first sign of a developing thunderstorm.

In an approaching thunderstorm, seek safe shelter. Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from the area where it is raining. That's about the distance thunder can be heard.

"If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance. Seek safe shelter immediately," said an official from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.

During outdoor activities, minimize the risk of being struck.

Most lightning deaths and injuries occur in the summer. Where organized outdoor sports activities take place, coaches, camp counselors and other adults must stop activities at the first roar of thunder to ensure everyone time to get a large building or enclosed vehicle.

Leaders of outdoors events should have a written plan that all staff are aware of and enforce.

During indoor activities, avoid stay off of corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put one in direct contact with electricity. Stay away from pools -- indoor or outdoor -- tubs, showers and other plumbing. Buy surge suppressors for key equipment. Install ground-fault protectors on circuits near water or outdoors.

When inside, wait 30 minutes after the last strike, before going out again.

Help a lightning strike victim by calling 911 and getting medical care immediately. Cardiac arrest and irregularities, burns and nerve damage are common in cases where people are struck by lightning.

However, with proper treatment, including CPR if necessary, most victims survive a lightning strike.

"You are in no danger helping a lightning victim," said the NOOA official. "The charge will not affect you."

In summary, lightning is dangerous. "With common sense, you can greatly increase your safety and the safety of those you are with. At the first clap of thunder, go to a large building or fully-enclosed vehicle and wait 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder to back outside."

The NOAA motto: "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors."