Lightning
Lightning tends to strike higher ground and prominent objects, especially good conductors of electricity such as metal found on offshore platforms.
Lightning strike near an offshore platform.
If you see a flash or lightning but do not hear the thunder, the lightning was probably discharged 15 or more miles away.
To determine how far away the lightning is, count the number of seconds between the lightning flash and thunder clap. For every 5 seconds you count, the lightning flash is about one mile away.
- Example: If you see lightning and count to 6 before you hear the thunderclap. The lightning would be approximately 1000 feet x 6 seconds = 6000 feet (just more than a mile) away.)
Follow the 30-30 Rule
- If you count less than 30 seconds between lightning flash and thunder bang, the lightning is less than six miles away and you should stop work and take shelter in an enclosed building, vehicle, or in a low-lying area.
- Wait for at least 30 minutes after storm has passed or dissipated before resuming work activities.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-12. If you hear thunder 15 seconds after seeing a lightning flash, how many miles away from your location is the lightning?
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