000
NOUS42 KTAE 070831
PNSTAE
GAZ120>131-142>148-155>161-081100-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
600 AM EST THU FEB 7 2008

TODAY'S TOPIC FOR SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK IS LIGHTNING.

THE ELECTRICAL CHARGE OF A LIGHTNING BOLT...WHICH MAY REACH 300 
MILLION VOLTS...SEARCHES FOR THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE TO 
COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT FROM THE CLOUD. IT MIGHT STRIKE YOU...AN 
ISOLATED TREE...OR AN OBJECT IN THE OPEN. LIGHTNING CAN ALSO STRIKE 
SEVERAL MILES AWAY FROM THE PARENT THUNDERCLOUD.

NATIONALLY...LIGHTNING IS ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF 
WEATHER-RELATED DEATHS. TYPICALLY...LIGHTNING WILL STRIKE OVER 20 
MILLION TIMES AND WILL CLAIM MORE VICTIMS THAN HURRICANES OR 
TORNADOES.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF...

IF YOU ARE OUTDOORS...GET INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE. IF SHELTER
IS NOT AVAILABLE...AND LIGHTNING IS ABOUT TO STRIKE...CROUCH DOWN
BUT DO LIE FLAT ON THE GROUND.

IF OUT BOATING OR SWIMMING...GET TO LAND AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

STAY AWAY FROM METAL AND TALL OBJECTS.

WHILE INDOORS...STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND AVOID USING ELECTRICAL
APPLIANCES UNLESS IN AN EMERGENCY.

PRACTICE THE 30/30 SAFETY RULE. IF YOU SEE LIGHTNING AND HEAR THUNDER
IN LESS THAN 30 SECONDS...GET INDOORS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. REMAIN 
INDOORS AN ADDITIONAL 30 MINUTES AFTER HEARING THE LAST CLAP OF 
THUNDER.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK...
VISIT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WEB SITE AT
WWW.SRH.NOAA.GOV/TAE...OR CONTACT YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
AGENCY.

FRIDAY'S TOPIC FOR SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK WILL BE FLOODS AND 
FLASH FLOODS.

$$