Don’t take shelter under a tree during a storm

The safest place to take shelter during a lightning storm is in a large building, not under a tree...

Dear Readers, 

Sadly, three people lost their lives last year during a lightning storm near the White House in Washington, D.C., and one person has been moved from intensive care to a burn center at a hospital.

This took place in Lafayette Park, a place I know very well from having done sound for presidential inaugurations years ago. And yes, I was stationed right in Lafayette Park controlling sound for the parade route.

This is important!

The takeaway is to NEVER take shelter under a tree during a lightning storm. Always go inside a building, if possible, and stay away from all windows. If you’re in a metal skinned RV, that’s probably a safe place to be. But any canvas top RV is a bad place to be, and that’s likely true for any stick constructed RV trailer with a fiberglass skin. If that’s what you have, then the safest place to be is inside of your tow vehicle. The Faraday cage will cause any lightning to wrap around the outside of your car, and not penetrate the interior. So keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle.

Read the story below

Two people were killed by a lightning strike near the White House
August 5, 20229:28 AM ET
JULIANA KIM

UPDATE: Three people were killed and one is recovering in a hospital burn center, as of the most recent report.

Across the street from the White House, shown here in 2021, is Lafayette Park. On Thursday, a lightning strike there hit four people, and two of them were pronounced dead on Friday.

Two people were killed and two others are in critical condition after lightning struck at the park next to the White House in Washington, D.C.

Emergency responders received a report about people found injured in Lafayette Park at 6:52 p.m. on Thursday evening. U.S. Park Police and members of the U.S. Secret Service who were in the area at the time also rushed to assist the four people hurt. No property or vehicles were damaged by the strike, said D.C. Fire and EMS official Vito Maggiolo.

It is believed that the four might have been struck while they were near a tree during the heavy downpour, Maggiolo told NPR.

On Friday morning, 76-year-old James Mueller and 75-year-old Donna Mueller, both from Janesville, Wis., were pronounced dead, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

“We are saddened by the tragic loss of life after the lightning strike in Lafayette Park. Our hearts are with the families who lost loved ones, and we are praying for those still fighting for their lives,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

As more thunderstorms are expected in the U.S. capital Friday evening, Maggiolo advises people to stay indoors.

“If you see lightning or hear thunder, you should seek shelter inside of a building or a vehicle. Do not attempt to seek shelter under a tree,” he said.

Stay away from trees in a storm. Find shelter immediately.

And if you haven’t seen this impressive (1/2-minute) video of what lightning can do to a tree, watch this. You won’t forget it.

Emergency Backup Power Webcast

Please join my new live webcast this Thursday, March 30th starting at 7pm EDT. I’m hosting an industry panel of experts on affordable ways to install a home emergency backup power system. Click HERE or below.

OK, everyone. Remember that electricity is a useful and powerful force, so we all need to pay attention to safety precautions while using it.

Let’s play safe out there…. Mike