Avoid trees and metal today because lightning is expected to hit the Orchard City, according to WUnderground.
Although showers are expected to continue through Friday, with a high of 61 degrees Wednesday, 59 Thursday and 57 on Friday, getting a little wet could be the least of your problems.
Lightning is the second largest weather-related killer following floods and that's because lightning strikes one person at a time as opposed to washing away entire towns, according to a National Geographic article.
"According to the U.S. National Weather Service, 73 people die from lightning strikes each year and hundreds more suffer life-debilitating injuries," the article states.
Although trying to predict where lightning will strike is near impossible, here are some telling signs that lightning may be about to zap you, along with tips on how to protect yourself, courtesy of the New York Department of Health.
Signs of Lightning Include:
- Towering clouds with a "cauliflower" shape
- Dark skies
- Distant rumbles of thunder or flashes of lightning
Signs that Lightning May Be About to Strike You:
- If your skin tingles or your hair stands on end, then get as close to the ground as possible because you may be about to be struck by lightning. The New York Department of Health recommends crouching down on the balls of your feet with your feet close together. Get as low as possible, but don't touch your hands or knees to the ground, and make sure to keep your hands on your knees and lower your head. Whatever you do, don't lie down.
If Someone is Struck by Lightning:
- Get emergency aid asap. If multiple people have been struck, tend to those who are unconscious first because they're at the highest risk of dying. People struck by lightning my appear dead, without a pulse or breath, but they can be resuscitated via CPR.
Additional tips can be found on the New York Department of Health's Lightning Safety Tips page.
