Boy Struck by Lightning in Florida
Tue Aug 31, 2004 2:54 am
I'm not posting this to freak anyone out or anything but I'm saying be safe.I learned last night that lightning can strike as far away as 10 miles from the storm it comes with.But as for the title of this board.Recently, just last Wednesday, a 15 year old boy from here in Central Florida was struck by lighting.Emergency workers restarted his heart and he still remains unconcious in Tampa Bay Hospital.Here I am the girl that never thinks lightning is close to striking near me if I hear no thunder and this happens to a boy I knew.This was on the news last night at 11 PM EST on channel 8 I think.I just want everyone to know be careful, because this is something I thought wasn't possible but now I know it's oh too true.
Tue Aug 31, 2004 3:00 am
Must of been a rather rare case, you actually have a better chance of winning the lottery than getting struck by lightning, or is it the other way around? 
Tue Aug 31, 2004 3:03 am
Od.I thought it was the other way around but then again I'm the forgetful one of the family so I wouldn't trust what I say.
Tue Aug 31, 2004 3:09 am
Theres always severe thunder/lightning storms here in Alberta. They're only scary if you don't have a basement or a concrete building. Because then you know if they turn into a tornado... you have somewhere to hide.
Otherwise, it's common sense here to listen to weather reports, because storms can blow in quick. *shrugs*
I can't remember the last time i've heard about someone being hit by lightning; i've heard of animals, saw a cow get hit once (it was in water during a dry storm). That was freaky. Seen trees... and the aftermath of bad storms; but never really seen a person nor heard of one getting hit.
*shrugs*
Otherwise, it's common sense here to listen to weather reports, because storms can blow in quick. *shrugs*
I can't remember the last time i've heard about someone being hit by lightning; i've heard of animals, saw a cow get hit once (it was in water during a dry storm). That was freaky. Seen trees... and the aftermath of bad storms; but never really seen a person nor heard of one getting hit.
*shrugs*
Tue Aug 31, 2004 3:09 am
Oh dear..thats a shame. 
I hope he will be okay..
I hope he will be okay..
Tue Aug 31, 2004 3:19 am
Wow. Thats...sad. I feel bad for that boy, I mean, what are the odds? And lightning is practically 4 times hotter than the sun's outer sheell of gas(or is it the other way around?)
Tue Aug 31, 2004 5:39 am
halfbakedbliss wrote:Must of been a rather rare case, you actually have a better chance of winning the lottery than getting struck by lightning, or is it the other way around?
Considering someone wins the lottery every week, and not every week someone gets Zapped I think you are right.
A rather terrible story and I wish him well, though if he survives, something to tell the Children I suppose.
Tue Aug 31, 2004 6:59 am
We've had storms here nearly every day for the past week. It's a common occurence at the end of summer. I can't remember the last time I heard of a person being hit, though, I guess everyone just knows to be inside or otherwise safe.
Tue Aug 31, 2004 8:39 am
Poor thing. His family must be devestated
Tue Aug 31, 2004 8:45 am
Ouch... poor kid. BUt anyway, you DO have a better chance of being struck by lightning because there is atleast 30 thunderstorms going on at any one moment on earth *you also have a better chance of being hit by a bus that winning the lottery, and are more likely to be killed by a hippo than win the lottery in statistics*
And Lightning is 4 times hotter than the surface of the sun
And Lightning is 4 times hotter than the surface of the sun
Tue Aug 31, 2004 10:16 am
My heart goes to him and his family. I hope he lives.
Tue Aug 31, 2004 2:09 pm
When I was in the Boy Scouts, I went to a place called Philmont - it's a high-adventure base, basically a couple of thousand scouts all backpacking in the New Mexico wilderness.
It's very dry there, and the bears are pretty agressive (and curious)...all-around, it's dangerous. When you go, you understand that there's a very legitimate chance that you could die.
While I was there (this was in 1995), one scout was mauled by a bear, and two more were struck by lightning, one of whom died - on a sunny day.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that lightning can actually strike anywhere at any time, not just during or near a storm. Storms are just the usual cause.
One of the best ways to tell if a strike is imminent is to look at your or your compatriots' hair; lightning is a large static electricity burst, and if your hair is standing on end for no apparent reason, move from wherever you are to someplace lightning-proof (a building or a car) as quickly as possible. Avoid trees. If there's nothing nearby taller than you, lie flat in a ditch or depression.
And, of course, on the flip side, you can't always worry that you'll be shocked to death. I feel sorry for the boy who was struck, but try not to let that affect the way you go about your daily life - it happens, and it's a horrible happenstance, but the chances of being struck by lightning are less than winning the Powerball lottery - so pay attention, and you'll be fine.
It's very dry there, and the bears are pretty agressive (and curious)...all-around, it's dangerous. When you go, you understand that there's a very legitimate chance that you could die.
While I was there (this was in 1995), one scout was mauled by a bear, and two more were struck by lightning, one of whom died - on a sunny day.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that lightning can actually strike anywhere at any time, not just during or near a storm. Storms are just the usual cause.
One of the best ways to tell if a strike is imminent is to look at your or your compatriots' hair; lightning is a large static electricity burst, and if your hair is standing on end for no apparent reason, move from wherever you are to someplace lightning-proof (a building or a car) as quickly as possible. Avoid trees. If there's nothing nearby taller than you, lie flat in a ditch or depression.
And, of course, on the flip side, you can't always worry that you'll be shocked to death. I feel sorry for the boy who was struck, but try not to let that affect the way you go about your daily life - it happens, and it's a horrible happenstance, but the chances of being struck by lightning are less than winning the Powerball lottery - so pay attention, and you'll be fine.
Tue Aug 31, 2004 3:41 pm
That is a scary thought. I belive the safest place to be when their is a thunder storm is in the house AWAY FROM THE WINDOWS.......I also think that the car is also a good place to be.
Tue Aug 31, 2004 3:47 pm
That is awful indeed, but then again nothing unusual. People get struck by lightning even in the oddest places and situations.
Tue Aug 31, 2004 4:40 pm
Wow, that's sad.. I hope the boy survives..
I heard about a man that has been hit by lightning something like 3 times, and survived all of them...
I heard about a man that has been hit by lightning something like 3 times, and survived all of them...