Dangers of Lightning

 

Severe Weather Reports - August 4, 2022 (Source: NOAA)

People should assume every thunderstorm is dangerous whether or not it meets “severe” criteria.  A thunderstorm officially becomes “severe” when it contains any of the following: wind gusts of at least 58 mph; hail 1” in diameter or greater; or a tornado.  However, all thunderstorms are dangerous since they contain lightning and heavy rain.  Although uncommon, lightning fatalities do occur and there are some recent tragic examples in the D.C. Metro Area.

2022: A severe weather outbreak occurred on Thursday, August 4, with a slew of wind damage reports, along with a waterspout over the lower Chesapeake Bay that moved ashore in Somerset County, Maryland as a tornado.  Sadly, four people were struck by lightning as they visited Lafayette Park across from the White House.  Three fatalities ensued and a fourth person remains hospitalized.  Since lightning is not one of the criteria that makes a thunderstorm “severe,” these fatalities are not listed as having been caused by “severe weather.”

2020: Late-night thunderstorms developed on June 3 and continued into June 4.  Lightning struck two military personnel near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.  Serious but non-life threatening injuries occurred.  Lightning is a safety risk during any thunderstorm irrespective of the time of day.

1998: A powerful squall line of thunderstorms developed on Saturday, June 13, and passed through the D.C. Metro Area during the afternoon.  Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued with power outages and reported wind damage.  However, what proved to be most dangerous wasn’t the wind, but the lightning.  Approximately 66,000 people gathered at RFK Stadium for a concert and not everyone was able to seek shelter in time.  A total of 11 lightning-related injuries were reported but, fortunately, no fatalities occurred. 

1991: May 17 was a typical spring day in the Nation’s Capital.  Warm and humid conditions combined with scattered afternoon thunderstorms.  However, what happened that afternoon was far from ordinary.  The St. Albans School in Northwest Washington, D.C. hosted Landon for a lacrosse game.  The peaceful afternoon was interrupted by thunderstorms.  As the crowd rushed to seek shelter, a 15-year-old Landon freshman was fatally struck by lightning.  This tragedy underscored the danger of huddling under a tree during a thunderstorm.