LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK
A stark reminder of the potential hazards posed by lightning underscores and the importance of taking necessary precautions to ensure personal safety and safeguard our residences, businesses, and communities.
WHY ELP IS IMPORTANT
- Earthing and lightning protection measures are essential for safety, equipment protection, compliance with regulations, continuity of operations, meeting insurance requirements, and reducing risks.
- They safeguard against electric shocks, fires, equipment damage, downtime, and legal liabilities.
- Earthing systems dissipate electrical energy to the ground, reducing the risk of injury and property damage during electrical faults and lightning events.
PREVENTABLE ACCIDENTS
Lightning strikes in South Africa result in an average of 264 fatalities each year, leading to substantial property damage and posing risks to aviation and power distribution systems, as well as affecting farm and game animals. Research conducted by the National Weather Service reveals that 10% of individuals struck by lightning do not survive, with the remaining 90% experiencing a range of disabilities.
INSURANCE COMPANIES DENYING PAYOUTS
Lightning is a capricious and potent force of nature, frequently resulting in substantial property damage. While the majority of insurance providers typically include coverage for lightningrelated property damage claims, it’s important to note that certain insurers might try to reject claims or prolong payment processes in cases where adequate lightning protection measures have not been implemented. Therefore, homeowners are strongly encouraged to install proper lightning protection systems, such as lightning rods and surge protectors, to safeguard their properties. Not only do these measures help in mitigating the risk of damage, but they also strengthen the validity of insurance claims should an unfortunate incident occur. Moreover, documenting the installation of these protective devices can serve as critical evidence when negotiating with insurers. Keeping receipts, installation records, and maintenance logs can streamline the claims process and ensure a more favorable outcome. In addition to physical protections, staying informed about weather conditions and heeding warnings during thunderstorms can further reduce the risk of lightning-related damage. Simple actions, such as unplugging electronic devices and avoiding contact with water during a storm, can make a significant difference. Ultimately, a combination of preventive measures, thorough documentation, and proactive communication with insurance providers can provide peace of mind and financial security in the face of nature’s electrifying displays.
AS A BUSINESS OR HOMEOWNER, THERE ARE MEASURES YOU CAN TAKE TO SAFEGUARD YOUR INVESTMENTS, STAFF & FAMILY.
- Implement Lightning Protection Systems to mitigate the impact of lightning strikes by dispersing energy effectively.
- Employ Surge Protection Devices to shield electronic equipment from sudden power surges.
- Verify adequate Grounding for electrical systems to mitigate faults and lightning-related hazards.
- Schedule Routine Maintenance for protection systems and surge protectors to uphold their effectiveness.
- Provide Training to personnel on lightning safety protocols to mitigate potential risks.
- Review Insurance Policies to ascertain coverage for potential lightning-related damages.
- Develop Emergency Response protocols for power outages and incidents related to lightning strikes to enhance safety measures and minimize potential damages.
THE CURRENT LIGHTNING RESEARCH
Analysis of the maps shows that the highest concentrations of lightning are found over the central to northern interior of the country, with areas along the northern escarpment extending from the northern parts of KwaZulu- Natal into the Mpumalanga Lowveld topping the scale of lightning densities. The risk maps also confirm that these areas fall into the extreme risk category. Almost the entire country is at severe risk from both lightning with positive polarity as well lightning in general. Only towards the west of the country does the concentration of lightning, as well as the lightning risk, decrease.
HOW WILL CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECT THUNDERSTORMS?
Rising global temperatures due to climate change means warmer air, which allows it to hold more moisture, roughly 7% more moisture per 1°C of warming. This boosts the chance of thunderstorms, leading to more violent storms and more lightning strikes. And the intense downpours will lead to localised flash flooding.
A thunderstorm is a storm produced by a cumulonimbus cloud, accompanied by lightning and thunder and usually producing gusty winds, heavy rain, sometimes hail and, under extreme conditions, tornadoes.
Approximately 2000 thunderstorms are occurring at any given time around the world, with 100 lightning strikes every second and 8 million lightning strikes a day. The basic ingredients for a thunderstorm are fairly simple: moisture, rapidly rising unstable air (air that will keep rising if given a nudge) and something to provide that nudge. This lift can come from weather fronts, sea breezes or mountains. You can even get lift from the cool outflow of a thunderstorm, known as a gust front. This in turn causes the development of a new thunderstorm.
Because moisture and warmth are crucial to thunderstorms, they occur more often in the spring and summer, particularly in humid areas. They are most likely to happen during the afternoon and evening hours. During winter, you may experience thundersnow, an unusual thunderstorm that occurs when snow (or graupel or hail) falls instead of rain.
