Lightning @ WDW

[maroo]

I have seen lightning hit a swimming pool and would not be anywhere near a water park during a storm like that.

I head inside. I don't play with storms like that at all! Especially in FL - where it is well known what lightning can do.

 

[barbarabini]

Q: if your are in a car in a lighting storm, are you "grounded"? Last year, we managed to get to the parking lot of epcot before a storm. Then, the deluge hit as we ran with the kids to the car. The rain, lightning was too much for use to drive in so we got stuck in the car in the parking lot. I was worried the whole time. Is a car a safe shelter in a thunder/lightning storm?

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

We were almost hit down by the side of the Sassagoula River - it struck the ground VERY close to where we were walking and no, I don't walk down by the sides of rivers in storms for fun, the storm started really suddenly while we were out.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Q: if your are in a car in a lighting storm, are you "grounded"? Last year, we managed to get to the parking lot of epcot before a storm. Then, the deluge hit as we ran with the kids to the car. The rain, lightning was too much for use to drive in so we got stuck in the car in the parking lot. I was worried the whole time. Is a car a safe shelter in a thunder/lightning storm?

yes a car is somewhat safe, that is providing nothing falls onto it from the winds in the storm. I have read somewhere that it really isn't the tires that make us safe, but the metal surrounding you. If you had a convertible, it would not be a safe area then...

 

[goodfood4ursoul]

At the water parks if there is any electrical storm activity within five miles we will shut down all the slides, the pool and the beach, as well as clear all stairs leading to the slides. We will maintain this status until the nearest electrical activity is at least five miles away and receding.

And my usual answer for people who ask why do we set the standard to five miles and not closer is: "Do you know how much paperwork is involved if a Guest gets struck by lightning"?

Cute comeback!

I'm glad OP asked about lightning... I had not really thought about WDW being in the lightning Capitol...

According to Florida State University, 5 miles might not be far enough...

http://www.safety.fsu.edu/emergencymanagement/lightning.html

"HOW FAR AWAY CAN LIGHTNING REACH?
Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles, and in some extreme cases up to 20 miles, from the area where it is raining.
That is about the distance you can hear thunder.
If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance.
Seek shelter immediately.
This also means that you can be struck by lightning even if the sky is perfectly blue and clear around you."

I think I'm gonna be more careful- better safe than sizzlin'...

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Yes, lightning can & does travel... and it does come out of a blue sky too.