4 Ways You Can Be Struck by Lightning
1. A direct strike is when an individual serves as the lightning rod. A bolt of lightning carries approximately 30,000 amps, 100-million volts, and a temperature potential of 500,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Needless to say, very few people survive a direct strike.
2. Contact voltage is when an individual is touching an object that is struck by lightning. Examples include being in contact with a building surface, tower, pole, vehicle surface, wiring or plumbing. The voltage transfers through the object to the individual. While this is not as bad as being struck directly, it will still cause significant harm.
3. A side flash is when a nearby object is struck by lightning and the electricity arcs through the air to the individual, following the path of least resistance. So in this case, you do not need to be touching a tree or fence in order to be electrocuted.
4. Step voltage or ground streamers are when lightning strikes within 100 feet of your location and the voltage disperses through the ground, wet pavement, pools of water, water bodies, or other electrical pathways to touch you as well. Again, this is not as bad as a direct hit, but serious injuries and lifelong impairments may result.
To learn more, visit:
http://safety.fsu.edu/EmergencyManagement/lightning.html
Photo by Thomas Bresson, Wikimedia
