| Multi-Decadal Signal |
| (Weather Guru) |
| Fri Jun 22 2007 09:23 PM |
FATAL - "BOLT FROM THE BLUE"
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Miami-Dade FL
Posted on Fri, Jun. 22, 2007
WEATHERLightning kills man beneath cloudless sky
A Dade landscaper died after being struck by an unusual
type of lightning that's stronger, hotter, lasts longer
and strikes from clear skies.
By TERE FIGUERAS NEGRETE AND LUISA YANEZ
lyanez@MiamiHerald.com
COURTESY WFORCBS4
David Canales died after being struck by lightning.
Lightning strike kills man
With no rain or even clouds to warn him of the danger,
death came literally out of the blue Thursday to a self-
employed landscaper. The killer was a powerful bolt of
lightning that cracked through perfectly clear skies.(more)
http://www.miamiherald.com/460/story/147572.html
Ed Dunham
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| (Former Meteorologist & CFHC Forum Moderator (Ed Passed Away on May 14, 2017)) |
| Fri Jun 22 2007 10:18 PM |
Re: FATAL - "BOLT FROM THE BLUE"
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I witnessed this phenomenon many years ago when I was in Illinois. A strong thunderstorm had passed through and, according to the radar, was about 7 miles to the east. Skies had cleared overhead and I went outside to watch the departing storm off in the distance. The distant thunderstorm threw out a lightning bolt that passed directly overhead (and not too much overhead either) and hit the ground 3 miles to the west, so the impact point was 10 miles from the storm cell. It was one of those rare times when I had a beer (while doing some unexpected laundry
) - certainly an un-nerving experience.The old axiom involved counting off 30 seconds between flash and thunder. The new axiom is to go indoors whenever you hear thunder.
Cheers,
ED
| Storm Cooper |
| (User) |
| Fri Jun 22 2007 10:43 PM |
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Re: FATAL - "BOLT FROM THE BLUE"
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Sad but true of the person killed and I can relate to Ed somewhat.... it was once the practice to attack fires started by lightning while the storm and lightning were still present
In any event, I found it funny that just yesterday I got a "spotter" update email out of Tallahassee.... here is a part....Ed will like it...The summer also presents other dangerous weather conditions for our region. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms can develop rapidly with little or no warning. When a thunderstorm develops, seek shelter immediately. Remember and use the 30-30 rule. The 30/30 Rule states that people should seek shelter if the "Flash-To-Bang" delay (length of time in seconds between a lightning flash and its subsequent thunder), is 30 seconds or less, and that they remain under cover until 30 minutes after the final clap of thunder.
A 30 second lead time is necessary prior to a storm's arrival because of the possibility of distant strikes. A 30 minute wait after the last thunder is heard is necessary because the trailing storm clouds still carry a lingering charge. This charge can and does occasionally produce lightning on the back edge of a storm, several minutes after the rain has ended.
Studies have shown most people struck by lightning are struck not at the height of a thunderstorm, but before and after the storm has peaked. This shows many people are unaware of how far lightning can strike from its parent thunderstorm. Do not wait for the rain to start before seeking shelter, and do not leave shelter just because the rain has ended.
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Ed Dunham
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| (Former Meteorologist & CFHC Forum Moderator (Ed Passed Away on May 14, 2017)) |
| Fri Jun 22 2007 11:53 PM |
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Re: FATAL - "BOLT FROM THE BLUE"
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Many of the Emergency Management homepages in Florida (and elsewhere) still list the 30/30 rule, but a nationwide effort is underway to re-educate the public.
You can read more about it here.
ED
| Multi-Decadal Signal |
| (Weather Guru) |
| Sun Jul 08 2007 10:57 PM |
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Re: FATAL - "BOLT FROM THE BLUE"
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Yet another "bolt from the blue"! Victim's heart was stopped but EMS were able to revive him and he is now critical but stable in hospital.
Miami Lakes in Miami-Dade County was enjoying sunny w/scat. cumulus clouds when without warning, wham!
This was the 2nd outa' the blue strike and 3rd victim hit this season in FL Gold Coast. 2 deaths have been tallied
since May.
All my life I've stood on balconies, catwalks and terraces to enjoy TS's. I may have to rethink this practice. They can bite without warning to say nothing of those strikes less than a second or two away! You know; Flash, 1001, 100& Blam!!!