Sunday, August 20, 2023

Lightning

 



Florida is the lightning capital of the USA.

We have rules and radar for our Way of Life, as in shopping, or walking the dog, getting the mail.

First Rule is the one we learned at the YMCA Pool.

The lifeguards close the pool at the first sound of thunder. They blow the whsitle yelling Out Of The Pool. They follow this rule.

If you can hear thunder, the lightning can hit you!

The pool does not open until 30 minutes after the clap of thunder. 

We just have to hope the person on the guard duty is not Bob because he can't hear thunder. 

BOOM they look at the clock/watch and we know out of the pool, it is closed for a half hour, each boom the half hour starts over.

Thunder is frightening, it scares you and me,

 remember this, don't stand under a tree!

22 comments:

DeniseinVA said...

Very, very wise rule and love your prose :)

CheerfulMonk said...

I had read that about Florida years ago. It's bad enough here to be scary. I'm glad you know how to keep safe.

The Chair Speaks said...

Yes, agree on that rule of out of water at first lightning or thunder as we get a lot of lightning and thunder too.
Thanks so much for visiting and your kind thoughts on late Winnie; please accept my apologies for my late response.

diane b said...

yes lightning is dangerous. Take care and stick to the rules. We are told not to use the phone either.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Having been near a lightning strike, I quite understand the caution! YAM xx

eileeninmd said...

Yes, so true lightning is dangerous. A very important rule to follow near the pool and water. I knew someone who was struck by lightning while at a boat show, it knock her to the ground unconscious. Stay safe! Take care, enjoy your day!

Tigger's Mum said...

We got a lot of electrical storms in Greece. Tigger loved lightening (and fireworks) which was good in some ways but we never let him out when firewrks were being let off.

Ann said...

Good to be prepared and have rules to follow to stay safe.
I'm the odd one. I've always rather enjoyed a thunder storm. Then again I've never been close enough to a lightening strike for it to have scared me into being careful.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Lighting is a huge issue across the north of the continent as our forests continue to be incinerated and all the wildlife and their habitat along with them. It’s always good to show healthy respect for thunder and lightening and give it the respect it deserves.

Mevely317 said...

What a critical PSA!
Yep, I remember how unsettling those storms made me feel. Your lifeguards are wise -- not so much the employees at the local "Y" where, for a while, I joined a seniors aqua-cize group. One of my last times, when the thunder booms began, I just got out and went to change. They were looking, like "What's up with her?" but I didn't care.

My Mind's Eye said...

I am very respectful of thunder and lightning, probably due to being raised in the south. And I may have told you this when I was about 7 I was across the street playing with my friend on his tire swing that was in a huge tree. It started rumbling Mama called me in for once in my life I came immediately. When I reached my porch I turned to wave good bye to my friend. Lightning struck the tree. My friend was killed instantly. I'll never forget that
Hugs Cecilia

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

These pop up storms come so quickly that I know a lot of people get caught out in them. I try to pay attention to the radar AND the sky before I take a hike but the golfers usually get out no matter what. Enjoy your Sunday!

Chatty Crone said...

I didn't know that about Florida. Very interesting.

Rose said...

I love storms...been in one one time that was scary...my mom and I had gone to check on a patch of tobacco. Walking of course. and it is long fairly steep grade to come back from it. A storm started, came up rather quickly and it was the first storm I was every really afraid of. I think it was very near a tornado. The trees were whipping around in a circle. We made it to this barn and got in it...a big black snake was in there with us. But I still enjoy storms...

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I've seen my fair share of lighting in Florida. It's unbelievable.
Do you still go to the YMCA?

photowannabe said...

Those storms are both beautiful and scary. Be safe and I wish I could capture some of the lightening with my camera...haven't been successful though.
Sue

Ginny Hartzler said...

This is interesting to me! Thunder does not scare me, lightening DOES!

Ginny Hartzler said...

P.S. even seeing you getting struck by lightning on this post is scary. Run, Sis, run!!

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

our silly neighbor walks her dogs in the thunder and lightning, and really close lightning. Mom says she will no way walk us if she hears a whisper of thunder.

Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

Brian's Home Blog said...

Lightning is scary! The Dad has been way too close to lightning twice and he's not taking a 3rd times the charm chance.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

GOOD ADVICE!! I was on my way home from work a couple of weeks ago and realized I was headed right into a really ugly storm. I sat in the parking lot of a Trader Joe's and watched the sideways rain, listened to the thunder and watched the lightening --Both were really close. I was glad I wasn't driving, but sure wished I was home.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

These are all very good reminders, Sandra, which most people may already have known but repeating can mean remembering. Stay safe and don't stand under a rauncloud.