Excelsior Springs Residents Share Shocking Lightning Encounters

Tranquil summer days can quickly turn deadly when dark clouds gather and thunder rumbles in the distance. Nature’s fury often strikes without warning. Lightning, both a breathtaking spectacle and a deadly force of nature, has claimed lives and sparked fear throughout history. From tragic fatalities to miraculous survivals, the tales of those touched by lightning weave a narrative of awe, danger, and the urgent need for awareness.

When lightning is around, there’s really no safe place outdoors. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), in the U.S., lightning strikes about 270 people each year. Unfortunately, around 10% of these incidents are fatal. The survivors often deal with lasting effects like memory loss, dizziness, weakness, or numbness. Most people actually get struck by lightning either just before it starts raining or right after it stops. So, if you can hear thunder, you’re already close enough to be in danger.

We polled the members of the Citizen Facebook group to see how lightning has impacted the lives of our community. Of the people who responded, 22% said they or someone they know has been struck by lightning. Juanita Beckman commented, sharing her experience, “I was 5… doing dishes and had my hand on the faucet, and lightning struck and went through the ground and hit the pipes under our house, and the pipes act[ed] as a conductor, it came straight up to the faucet and knocked me back from the sink. My hand was numb for like 2 hours.” Teresa Baldwin also shared, “Not me, but a guy I used to work with got struck by lightning. He was sitting in a chair, and the lightning struck the ground. It went through his toe, up through his body, and out his left side. Burnt his hair. He never went to the ER. Saw the marks on his shoulder from where it happened.”

We still have a couple of months left in storm season, and as much as we love a good thunderstorm, it’s important to know how to protect yourself. Here are the top 10 lightning safety tips from the National Weather Service:

1. Go Indoors When Thunder Roars: If you hear thunder, you are within striking distance of lightning. Immediately move to a safe shelter—a substantial building with electricity and plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with the windows up.
2. Stay Indoors: Once inside, stay indoors for at least 30 minutes after you hear the last clap of thunder to ensure the storm has passed.
3. Avoid Electrical Equipment: Do not use corded phones, computers, or other electrical appliances that put you in direct contact with electricity during a storm. Use cordless or cell phones instead.
4. Stay Away from Plumbing: Avoid using sinks, baths, and faucets. Lightning can travel through plumbing.
5. Keep Away from Windows and Doors: Do not stand near windows or doors, and avoid being on porches during a thunderstorm.
6. Avoid Concrete: Do not lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls. Lightning can travel through the metal wires or bars in concrete walls and flooring.
7. Stay Off Elevated Areas: If you are caught outside and cannot get to shelter, avoid elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges, or peaks.
8. Avoid Water: Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity.
9. Do Not Shelter Under Trees: Never take shelter under an isolated tree. Trees attract lightning and can conduct the strike to you.
10. Avoid Conductive Objects: Stay away from objects that conduct electricity, such as barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, and metal poles​

From remote wilderness trails to bustling city streets, the threat of lightning knows no bounds. Yet, armed with knowledge and preparedness, we can mitigate its risks and protect ourselves and our loved ones. Whether seeking shelter at the first sign of thunder or educating ourselves on lightning safety measures, every precaution is a step towards reducing the toll of this remarkable force of nature.