Striking Down Three Common Lightning Myths
Trust us... We're here to shelter you from those pernicious lightning myths
We all know the Number One lightning myth. That lightning never strikes twice in the same place. Well, that one's so wrong it's not even funny. Not only do most observed lightning strokes hit the same spot repeatedly in a fraction of a second, it should be obvious that some places get hit all the time.
Take, for instance, the Empire State Building in New York City -- it's hit about 25 times a year. Obviously, it's not the place to be during a thunderstorm. So...unsure now what to believe about lightning? Don't worry -- just come this way, as we reveal the truth about the big three myths.
Myth 1: You're safe from lightning if there are no clouds overhead.
This is a dangerous lightning myth, because people are occasionally -- if infrequently -- struck by literal bolts from the blue. This can happen as far as 10-15 miles away from a thunderstorm, and very rarely may occur as far as 50 miles away from a thunderstorm's anvil cloud (though this is very rare indeed).
Here's a true example of such an occurrence that might have become enshrined in children's literature -- if anyone had believed the story. The young girl who served as a model for Leslie Burke in Bridge to Terabithia was killed by a freak bolt from the edge of a thunderstorm miles away, while playing at a sunny beach.
The writer, Kathleen Paterson, tried to include the reality of the girl's death in her book -- and then was persuaded by the editors that no one would believe that Leslie could possibly die that way. So she had her drown in a creek instead. Ironically, the truth itself was considered the lightning myth!
Myth 2: I'll be safe from lightning in a car with rubber wheels.
Well...maybe. But really, what's a few inches of rubber going to do? The electrical force of lightning is measured in gigawatts (remember Back to the Future?), and so it can usually overcome such a comparatively minor amount of insulating material.
Here's the real skinny on this lightning myth. The metal chassis of the car is what protects you. It will direct the energy from a lightning strike down into the ground, keeping you safe as long as you aren't touching the chassis directly. If the car has on open cab or is made of fiberglass, though, you're out of luck.
Myth 3: I'll be safe from lightning as long as I stay indoors.
Well, it all depends -- but the short answer is "not necessarily." It's true that you can't be hit directly unless you stand near a window or open door and watch the storm, but you can be affected by lightning strikes if you're touching plumbing, electrical or phone wires, TV cables, or metal doors or windows.
In other words, stay away from anything that can conduct a strike into your home from the outside. By the way, that includes plastic plumbing containing water. If you're worried, your best bet is to take cover in an interior room with no windows. That'll help you make this one of many lightning myths a truth, as far as you're concerned.
