Bob Hill is the Brookings County emergency management director.

Last week's article discussed thunderstorm and tornado watches and warnings along with flash Flooding. This week we will continue to discuss thunderstorms and focus on lightning.

It doesn’t take a severe thunderstorm to be a dangerous thunderstorm. By definition, all thunderstorms contain lightning and thus need to be taken seriously. As it only takes one lightning strike to become a hazardous situation, most lightning-related deaths occur when people are having fun outside. If you hear thunder or see lightning, immediately seek shelter in an enclosed building or vehicle. Bottom line: “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”.

June 23-29 is national lightning safety awareness week. While the National Weather Service does not issue severe thunderstorm warnings for lightning alone, it is still dangerous and can be deadly. 

My favorite way to instruct on lightning safety is to start a training session off by using a golf club. Lightning is attracted by tall things such as trees, telephone poles, golfers as they are swinging their clubs, or possibly a fisherperson as they are casting. Why are they suspectable? Because the object they are holding in their hands is higher in height than the surrounding items in the area and they can also act as a lightning rod. 

Most people do not pay attention to the details but look at an old barn sometime or even a house. Somewhere around it, you will find a copper wire attached to a rod that has been pounded into the ground. That, believe it or not, is a lightning rod designed to direct a lightning strike into the ground.

If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Seek shelter immediately. Once inside, stay away from windows, electrical lines, plumbing, or any other material that conducts electricity.

If you cannot reach a shelter, avoid open fields, high areas, trees, or other tall objects. Lightning tends to strike taller objects in an area. 

Stay away from metal conductors such as wires or fences. Metal does not attract lightning, but lightning can travel long distances through it. 

If you are with a group of people, spread out. While this actually increases the chance that someone might get struck, it tends to prevent multiple casualties and increases the chances that someone could help if a person is struck. 

Seeking shelter in a metal-topped vehicle with the windows closed is better than remaining outdoors. Remember, a convertible vehicle is not a metal-topped vehicle, nor is a bicycle, motorcycle, or scooter safe in a lightning storm.

Do the rubber tires on your car protect you if you are outside the car and you're leaning on it? No. Like trees, houses, and people, anything outside is at risk of being struck by lightning when thunderstorms are in the area, including cars. The good news though is that the outer metal shell of hard-topped metal vehicles does provide protection to those inside a vehicle with the windows closed. Unfortunately, though, the vehicle doesn't always fare so well.

A typical cloud-to-ground, actually cloud-to-vehicle, lightning strike will either strike the antenna of the vehicle or along the roofline. The lightning will then pass through the vehicle's outer metal shell, then through the tires to the ground.

Although every lightning strike is different, damage to the antenna, electrical system, rear windshield, and tires is common. The heat from a lightning strike is sufficient to partially melt the antenna of a vehicle and can cause what seems like a small explosion of sparks as tiny fragments of metal melt and burn. A portion of the discharge may find its way into the vehicle's electrical system and may damage or destroy electronic components, potentially leaving the car inoperable. The lightning may also find its way into the small defrosting wires that are embedded in rear windows causing the windows to shatter. Finally, it's very common for lightning to destroy one or more tires as it passes through the steel belts to the ground. It's also possible for lightning to ignite a fire which could destroy the vehicle.

Wait 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder before returning to the outdoors. 

If someone is struck by lightning the first thing you need to do is call 911. 

Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death for those who die. Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge and may need first aid immediately. Begin CPR if you are trained. You should also use an automatic external defibrillator if one is available. These units are lifesavers 

If possible, move the victim to a safer place. Lightning CAN strike the same place twice. 

I want to thank the NWS/NOAA for providing the information in today's article.

Be safe out there and remember, keep an eye on the sky.