 During Lightning Safety Awareness Week, June 19-25, Jim Ciulla of
Lexington is working with IEMA and the NWS to spread the word about
the life-changing effects of being struck by lightning.On July 6,
2010, Ciulla was working as a flagger for a road construction crew
on Route 89 in Woodford County when he was struck by lightning. He
was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Peoria, then airlifted to
the burn center in Springfield, where he was treated for first- and
second-degree burns.
Ciulla says he is lucky to have survived the lightning strike,
but the event has left lasting physical problems and severe pain
that make it impossible for him to return to work or enjoy many of
the activities he did prior to his injury. While he has made some
progress nearly a year after the lightning strike, his feet are
completely numb, it's difficult for him to do any physical activity
for an extended period of time, and scars from his burns are a
constant reminder of that life-altering day in July 2010.
"Being struck by lightning has completely changed my life," said
Ciulla. "I hope by telling my story, others will get to safety when
thunderstorms are near. No sporting event, no outdoor job, nothing
is worth the risk of getting struck by lightning."
According to the National Weather Service, each year about 55
people are killed and more than 1,000 are injured by lightning
strikes in the U.S. On average, two-thirds of those fatalities and
injuries occur outdoors at recreation events and near trees.
With prompt medical treatment, most lightning strike victims can
survive. However, the long-term effects can include memory loss,
personality changes, difficulty performing more than one task at a
time, fatigue, irreparable nerve damage, chronic pain and headaches,
difficulty sleeping, and dizziness.
"In a split-second, your life could be changed forever by
lightning," said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. "Whether at work or
play, you should always be aware of changing weather conditions and
be prepared to take cover as soon as you hear the first rumble of
thunder."
As the "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors" slogan suggests, people
should move to shelter as soon as thunder is heard, even if the
thunderstorm isn't directly overhead. Lightning can strike from as
far away as 10 miles. The best shelter from lightning is inside a
substantial building with the windows and doors closed. If no
substantial shelter is available, seek refuge in a hard-topped
vehicle with the windows closed. Once inside, stay there for 30
minutes after the last rumble of thunder before resuming outdoor
activities.
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"If you are close enough to the storm to hear the thunder, you
are close enough to be struck by the next bolt of lightning," said
Heather Stanley, meteorologist with the NWS in Lincoln. "Being aware
of the forecast, whether by listening to NOAA Weather Radio All
Hazards or another media outlet, is the first step in keeping
yourself and your family safe from the dangers of lightning.
However, just being aware of the forecast is not where personal
responsibility ends. ... If thunderstorms are threatening, act on
it. Don't wait for the rain."
People who work outdoors in open spaces, on or near tall objects,
with explosives or with metal have a high risk of being struck by
lightning. Farmers, utility workers, construction workers, heavy
equipment operators and plumbers are among the occupations with the
most risk for being struck by lightning. Safety tips for these
workers include:
-
Pay attention to
the daily forecast and stay alert for early signs of
thunderstorms.
-
When the forecast
calls for severe weather, don't start anything that can't be
stopped quickly.
-
Know your
employer's safety guidelines, which should include a lightning
warning policy that ensures warnings can be issued to workers in
time for everyone to get to a safe location and that workers
have access to a safe location.
-
If severe weather is approaching, avoid
anything tall or high, such as roofs, ladders, utility poles or
trees; large equipment, such as bulldozers, cranes, backhoes and
tractors; materials or surfaces that conduct electricity, like
metal tools or equipment, utility lines, water, water pipes, and
plumbing; and leave areas where explosives or munitions are
located.
IEMA and the NWS developed a Lightning Safety Awareness Guide
that contains additional information about how to stay safe during
thunderstorms. The
guide, as well as information about disaster preparedness, is
available on the Ready Illinois website at
www.ready.illinois.gov.
[Text from
Illinois
Emergency Management Agency file received from the Logan County
Emergency Management Agency]
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