Reassure me about lightening storms!!

[Feralpeg]

This is 50% true. Yes lightning rods are there to disperse the charge to the ground, BUT THEY ARE there to attract lightning from other things. That's why they put them higher. it does not always work though. I think that that is the point you were trying to make. But yes they are there to attract the lightning.

Yes, that was the point I was trying to make. A lot of homes, here in Florida, have lightening rods. Yet, time and again, I've seen houses that do not have lightening rods hit next to houses that have them. Just last summer, three houses within a five block radius of my home were hit by lightening. It is a serious business here!

I would not trust my safety in a serious lightening storm to the fact that some buildings in the area have lightening rods.

 

[TowMater92]

This is 50% true. Yes lightning rods are there to disperse the charge to the ground, BUT THEY ARE there to attract lightning from other things. That's why they put them higher. it does not always work though. I think that that is the point you were trying to make. But yes they are there to attract the lightning.

They are put higher since lightening usually hits higher objects so if they are higher then the structure they are more likely to be hit before the building but they do not attract lightening they are to protect the build from lightening. Lightening strikes will not only hit the rods it will hit anything in the area when it comes down and they won't move to hit a lightening rod. I've installed them before there only purpose is to protect the building and if the lightening strike isn't going to hit the building anyways the rod will not attract the lightening strike. They are called, "lightening protection systems" if you look it up it even says they are systems designed to protect buildings.

 

[Dannek]

A pretty simple rule that I learned pretty quickly when I moved to Florida is to use poncho's, not umbrella's.

Best way to stay dry without becoming a human lightning rod...

 

[Polydweller]

This would be a really conservative number. I would bet the radius is more like 5-10 miles.

Of course, your overall point is valid.

You can be hit by lightening up 10 miles from the thunderstorm. It can be absolutely clear where you are and still have lightening strike, that's the source of out of the blue. The last info I had was Disney uses a 6 mile radius.

 

[Polydweller]

It has nothing to do with drawing the lightning away from other objects. Lightning rods are there to protect the buildings.
"When installing a lightning rod on a building as a lightning protection measure, it is imperative that the rod be elevated above the building and connected by a low resistance wire to the ground."
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/estatics/u8l4e.cfm

Exactly and by sending the lightening to the ground you can then get a strike from the dispersal through the ground. There are many reports if golfers being injured from the ground dispersal after lightening hits a tree.

When a thunderstorm approaches, get inside a building, away from doors, and wait for it to pass (several minutes after is best).

 

[Kat in WA]

What about taking a shower during a storm? I avoid showers during storms at home, but most likely the storms will hit WDW during our afternoon refresher. Any advice?

 

[StephyDee]

Okay, first off, you'll be just fine during a thunderstorm from lightning if you do the smart thing and take shelter when a storm hits, not use umbrellas, etc. If you follow the steps people here have pointed out, you'll be fine.

Now, I say this because what I'm about to tell you might make you freak out and forget all that, but REMEMBER IT. What happened to me was a freak occurrence and has never happened since to anyone in my family that has visited WDW. I honestly just find this to be an ironic time to tell the story, because it's so fitting. But seriously, don't worry.

Late May/Early June of 2010, my family and I were visiting HS, and we were just about to leave the park because of both a storm approaching, as well as getting dinner at WL. We had just left Muppet Vision and were about to approach Echo Lake when we see VERY dark clouds coming up, the ones so dark it would make a sunny day at noon look like night. It's thundering and lightning, and it had rained earlier from a different little system, but we kept going. Just as we start to pass Echo Lake (I'd say no more than 30 yards away or so at the most), a bolt of lightning struck one of the palm trees, causing its bark to explode off and some of its leaves to come tumbling down to the water while on fire. There was obviously no delay in the thunder since we were so close, so it was a sudden CRASH explosion sort of sound, and we almost fell down from the shock. Imagine how a typical crack of lightning sounds, and multiply the sound/effect by 20, that's how impressive it was!

There weren't many people around, and it wasn't raining, but all of a sudden my niece and SisIL were freaking out, sobbing from how fast/loud/destructive it was (which I totally understand). The air also felt so strange, like it was alive from the electricity. Some of the bark that had exploded off the tree was just floating in the air, from both the wind moving it and (what I can assume is) the electricity it was surrounded with. It freaked us out, that's for sure, and we made sure to hightail it outta there as soon as possible afterwards! Of course now we can look back on that and laugh at how crazy it was, but at that moment it was pretty nerve-wracking.

Okay, so I hope I didn't freak you out. This was a freak occurrence that I don't believe happens to that many people in Disney, so I think you'll be fine. Just watch the weather, get yer ponchos ready, and stay clear of palm trees!



......and yes, this really happened.

 

[Kat in WA]

Eeeek, StephiDee!!!! I really want to avoid something like that at all costs! I have heard people describe the air being full of static or some kind of charge if a storm is very close. Will do our best to find a sheltered spot. Anyone have input on my shower question?

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

What about taking a shower during a storm? I avoid showers during storms at home, but most likely the storms will hit WDW during our afternoon refresher. Any advice?

Mythbusters did prove that you can get electrocuted by showering during a lightning storm. It is rare and unlikely, but possible. I don't see why a shower at disney would be any different than a shower at home.

 

[StephyDee]

Mythbusters did prove that you can get electrocuted by showering during a lightning storm. It is rare and unlikely, but possible. I don't see why a shower at disney would be any different than a shower at home.

Agreed. The storms may be more frequent at WDW, but they're the same storms you usually deal with. Use your best judgement when it's time to take a shower. I've taken showers during storms before, and nothing's happened to me (thus far lol). If it's too unsettling to take one during a storm though, maybe you can try using dry shampoo, a washcloth and a little soap to wash off the day's grime so far, and a refresher body spray to make you feel fresh again? That's if you definitely DO NOT wanna take a shower though.

 

[bdklein]

Edited to add: I just realized that I have gone my entire life spelling "lightning" incorrectly.

Seems like may here have spelled it wrong. Not sure how you think it should be spelled but it's spelled lightning, not lightening.

 

[11290]

You can be hit by lightening up 10 miles from the thunderstorm. It can be absolutely clear where you are and still have lightening strike, that's the source of out of the blue. The last info I had was Disney uses a 6 mile radius.

3 to 5 miles is generally the norm depending on intensity, coverage and movement of weather system, for outdoor attractions, larger number if storm is extremely intense or a large number of strikes are being recorded.

Have heard over our radios when lightning is 7 miles away we had shut down and have heard a number as low as 1 mile not doing a shutdown. Lot of factors go into the decision not just a "fixed number".

 

[amzking]

This should be obvious but stay away from trees. Some years ago here a family was boating and picnicking on some small islands we have out on the lagoon. A freak storm came up. Mom was sitting and leaning back against the tree to shelter from the storm. The tree was struck, killing Mom and rendering the child brain damaged. Tragic.

 

[dandave]

Seems like may here have spelled it wrong. Not sure how you think it should be spelled but it's spelled lightning, not lightening.

Yes, I had always spelled it "lightening" and had never noticed my mistake, until seeing it spelled both ways on this thread.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Heading down next week and not bothered by rainstorms. But lightening?!? That's another matter!!!! Please reassure me that all will be well.

~I didn't read the whole thread but you'll be just fine. We only visit Disney during peak hurricane season and always experience the worst thunderstorms -- but, our vacations have always been fabulous! Typically, the thunderstorms don't last long & chase the crowds away!!! Have fun!

 

[cobright]

Lightning can come out of a clear blue sky and kill you grave-yard dead.

You're more likely to get struck by lightning twice than win a powerball lottery.

A significant number of lightning strike victims live but have serious burns over their entire body. You do not want to limp away from a lightning strike.

You're still more likely to die from cancer caused by sunny days.

When the angels start bowling, drink a beer and flip god off Lt. Dan style. That's my best advice.

 

[jcriket]

Nothing cleans out a Disney theme park like a good crack of lightning. I've seen it hit close many times leaving grown people crying. It might be scary, but if you take shelter you shouldn't need to worry. I've never heard of any tragedies at Disney, and it's a big place. Been here all my life and I kinda like a good thunderstorm. It's part of summer.

 

[TowMater92]

What about taking a shower during a storm? I avoid showers during storms at home, but most likely the storms will hit WDW during our afternoon refresher. Any advice?

Yes myth busters did prove you can be shocked if you take a shower during a storm but they had to break electrical codes for it to happen and WDW isn't going to break any electrical codes. The water lines feeding the building are bonded and so is the electrical service feeding the building so you will be fine taking a shower during a storm. I'm an electrician by the way.

 

[Alesia]

Disney has absolutely no control of when and where lightening will strike, if you are outdoors. I think it's common sense to get indoors during a lightening storm. Those lightening rods protect the buildings.

Edited to add: I just realized that I have gone my entire life spelling "lightning" incorrectly.

It's spelled "lightning." It's pronounced that way, too - two syllables, not three.

The fact that both of them are actual words doesn't really help to clear up the confusion.

Lightning is a noun and refers to the meteorological phenomenon that is followed by thunder.

Lightening is the present participle of the verb "to lighten," and refers to the process of making something lighter in color or lighter in weight.