JSC Lightning Safety Education

Safety and Total Health Day

October 2005

Some Facts about Lightning

Lightning is the most dangerous and frequently encountered weather hazard that most people

experience each year.National Severe Storms Lab

Lightning is the 2ND leading cause of weather fatalities behind floods in the United States -

more than hurricanes and tornadoes.

A Texas A&M study found that Houston is the lightning capital of Texas.

Responsibilities

• Weather Chapter 5.9 in JPR 1700.1 describes employee and management responsibilities for lightning awareness and avoidance, and outlines processes and action plans for group events regarding weather safety.

• This policy was instituted within the past year. Please review it.

Remember: You are responsible for your own safety!

Personal Safety

In the absence of any other information, a good rule of thumb is the 30/30 Rule:

30 seconds or less flash-to-bang -- seek safer shelter

Wait 30 minutes after last thunder before resuming outdoor activities

If you can’t see the lightning flash -- take action when you hear thunder

Flash-to-bang: Time from when you see lightning flash until you hear thunder

JSC Lightning Notifications

• Lightning Advisory: SMG forecasts lightning to occur within 6 SM of JSC– Gives weather-sensitive organizations who request this service

time to prepare. – Notification is via phone– SMG’s goal is to provide 30 minute lead time.

• Lightning Alert – Lightning is observed within 6 SM of JSC. Take Action Now!– Alert is posted on internal JSC web page– Emailed to EPRs– Scrolling banner on NASA TV channel 3

• SMG Advisory and Alert are available during duty hours; 6:30AM to 6:00PM, typically.

• Organizations handle internal notification

Where to Go During Alert

• There are no truly lightning safe locations, only safer locations

• If you are indoors at JSC:– Stay indoors– Stay away from windows

• If you are outdoors at JSC:– Get indoors into a substantial building (pavilions are

not safe locations)– If you can’t get indoors, get into a vehicle with a metal

roof

Lightning Discussion Topics

• What are your organization’s weather vulnerabilities?– Is lightning one of them?– Do you need to receive the Lightning Advisory?

• If you have people working outside:– What procedures do you have in place to monitor

routinely the weather?– What are your lightning notification procedures?– Could your procedures be more effective?

• Do you know what to do when a Lightning Alert is issued?

If you have any questions, please contact:Tim Oram (281-483-3257), or Rich Lafosse (281-483-1048)

NWS Spaceflight Meteorology Group