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PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME

700 AM EDT FRI JUN 27 2003

The National Weather Service has declared the week of June 22^nd^
through June 28^th^, LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK. This is the fifth
in a series of five public information statements to be issued by the
National Weather Service Office in Gray containing information on
lightning and lightning safety.

THE FACTS ABOUT LIGHTNING STRIKE VICTIMS

In the United States, each year, lightning kills an average of 73 people
and injures more than 300 people based on documented cases. While any
death is tragic and devastating to the family, injuries can be equally
tragic and even more devastating to the family. For those who have a
relative that suffers a significant disability from lightning, life
changes forever. In addition to the physical pain and mental anguish
suffered by the victim and the victim\'s family, the incident may lead
to a loss of income for the family. Over time, medical expenses for
treatment may drain the family\'s assets.

If someone is struck by lightning, it\'s important that they receive the
appropriate medical attention immediately. Some deaths can be prevented
if the victims are attended to promptly. Lightning victims do not carry
an electrical charge and are safe to handle. First, have someone call
9-1-1 or your local ambulance service. Check to see that the victim is
breathing and has a pulse, and continue to monitor the victim until help
arrives. Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death in lightning
fatalities. If necessary, begin cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Also, if possible, move the victim to a safer place. Don\'t let the
rescuers become lightning victims. Lightning can strike the same place
twice.

Physically, only few lightning strike victims actually suffer burns. Due
to the conductivity of the human body, lightning burns are usually
minor, and most lightning burns are caused when objects next to the body
(such as necklaces, rings, or metal coins) are heated by the lightning.
In addition, sweat, vaporized by lightning, can also cause burns.

Mentally, lightning strike victims may face many challenges that
they\'ll have to live with for the rest of their lives. When the brain
is affected by a lightning strike, the person often has difficultly with
many of the mental processes that most people take for granted. The
person may suffer from short-term memory loss, and may have difficulty
mentally storing new information and accessing old information. Victims
may often find it very difficult to carry on more than one task at a
time, and may be easily distracted. Their personality may change and
they may become easily irritated.

Victims often complain of becoming easily fatigued and may become
exhausted after only a few hours work. This may be because mental tasks
that were once automatic may now require intense concentration to
accomplish. Although some victims may sleep excessively at first, after
a few weeks, many find it difficult to sleep more than two or three
hours at a time.

Another common long-term problem for survivors is pain. Medically, pain
is difficult to quantify. Lightning strike victims often suffer
irreparable nerve damage from which they will suffer for the rest of
their lives. The pain can be so intense that it affects the person\'s
ability to function. Many survivors complain of chronic headaches, some
of which are very intense and debilitating.

It is important to remember that, while many lightning victims survive,
their lives are changed forever, and their dreams for the future and
those of their family will never be the same.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING?

ANSWER: Here is the Todd\'s story, just one of many people in this
country who have been struck by lightning, survived, and are now living
with the devastating, life-long effects that lightning can inflict on a
person\'s life.

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Todd\'s Story

On Thursday, July 11, 1991, Todd was home, inside his garage, repairing
the exhaust system of his car. Although Todd was unaware of it at the
time, the cirrus anvil of a distant storm was starting to spread
overhead and a dangerous electrical potential was developing between the
positively-charged anvil cloud and the negatively charged ground. To
Todd, the sky appeared to be partly cloudy with no apparent indication
of the storm. Suddenly, lightning struck nearby, traveled in and along
the ground, and through the garage floor. Todd was hit as he installed
the muffler on the car. The rain from the storm didn\'t arrive for an
estimated 20 to 30 minutes after the lightning strike. Todd suffered
burns on the right side of his body and in his throat, and had tremors
in his left side immediately after the strike. Fortunately, Todd
remained conscious and was able to call for help.

Todd\'s outward appearance, however, does not begin to show the
debilitating injuries that he has suffered, and continues to suffer from
the lightning strike. Like many lightning victims, Todd suffered
irreversible nerve damage and has lived in constant pain for the past 10
years. Despite 15 operations and numerous consultations with
specialists, Todd\'s severe pain continues. He is unable to work, and on
some days, he is unable to function due to excruciating pain. Since the
incident, Todd also suffers from short-term memory loss.

Todd was 24 years old at the time of the incident. Now, more than ten
years later, Todd wants his story to be told in the hope that other
lightning victims will feel some comfort in knowing that they are not
alone, and so that people will become more aware of the devastating
effects lightning can have on a person\'s life.

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Here\'s a list of topics covered earlier this week:

MONDAY - Lightning and Lightning Safety \-- An Introduction

TUESDAY - The Science of Thunderstorms and Lightning

WEDNESDAY - Outdoor Safety

THURSDAY - Safe Shelters and Indoor Safety.

For additional information about lightning or lightning safety, visit
NOAA\'s Lightning Safety Awareness web site at:

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov

JENSENIUS

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

GRAY\...MAINE

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