Staying Safe from the Dangers

of Lightning

(Lawal, 2020)

Utilizing CU Alert System to Notify of Impending Lightning

Storms and Proper Safety Measures

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Table of Contents
Abstract 3

Power Distribution of Lightning 3

How Lightning Occurs 3

Damage Caused by Lightning 5

Lightning Storm Safety 6

Spreading Tips and Tricks via Clemson Alerts 6

Information on CU Alert System 7

Increasing Campus Safety by Implementing CU Alert System 7

Conclusion 7

References 9

Figures

Figure 1 4

Figure 2 5

Figure 3 6

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Abstract

Throughout history, lightning has been feared and revered because of the power it withholds.
When Benjamin Franklin first discovered that thunder clouds were electrified and that lightning
followed the path of least resistance, humans truly began to understand what lightning was and
the appropriate way to be protected from it. Franklin’s invention of the lightning rod in 1752 was
monumental because lightning, which typically follows the path of least resistance, was now
guided safely down from buildings since the iron material composing the rod is a good
conductor. This safety measure is still used today, especially for tall buildings and churches
(Elsom 111-114).

The damage caused by lightning onto tall buildings has been greatly reduced by the
implementation of the lightning rod. This solution works great for buildings, but the question still
remains about human safety during a lightning storm. While it is highly unlikely to be struck, the
high-voltage electric current can cause long lasting effects, specifically burns. Since lightning is
attracted to conductors, everyday objects containing metal such as a zipper, jewelry, and phones
or normal activities such as touching a pole or creating an abnormal amount of friction can make
someone more likely to be struck. Lightning storms are dangerous for humans, and due to their
unpredictable nature, Clemson services should utilize the CU Alert notification system to inform
students and faculty when a storm is approaching.

The Power Distribution of Lightning

How Lightning Occurs

Lightning is a powerful electrical discharge that happens between the clouds, air, or ground.
Between the clouds there are positive and negative charges that build up overtime. The positive
charges occur at high and low altitudes while the negative charges are centered in the middle of a
cloud (“Lightning Basics”). The air which insulates the polarity breaks down, creating a high
electric field once the uneven distribution becomes overbearing. The discharge of built up energy
is lightning which temporarily equalizes the charged regions in the atmosphere as displayed in
Figure 1 (Krider and Tikkanen, 2020). Lightning can either be contained within the clouds,
strike the ground, or go from cloud to air. This violent disturbance within the atmosphere are all
signs that a storm is brewing.

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Figure 1: The larger negatively charged particles fall faster than the smaller positively charged
particles thus creating a separation within the clouds. As this uneven particle distribution builds
up, energy is released as lightning either within the clouds, air, or onto the ground (Krider and
Tikkanen, 2020).

The heat from lighting is so high, there is a large pressure release which creates shock waves.
The frequency waves are partially absorbed by the air while the rest is heard as thunder. Thunder
is heard from the closest channel which is the tearing sound followed by the farther channels
which is more of a clicking sound. The number of miles away lightning is, can be determined by
counting the number of seconds in between seeing a lightning strike and hearing thunder and
then dividing it by five. The reason for dividing by five is because sound travels approximately
one fifth of a mile per second (“Lightning Basics”). Determining the distance away lightning is,
is crucial for meteorologists when trying to predict various storm characteristics. While
meteorologists have more scientific storm equipment, anybody can use the counting method to
get an estimate of the proximity of a storm.

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Damage Caused by Lightning

South Carolina ranks nationally as one of the top ten states with the highest lightning induced
injuries and fatalities (“Becoming Severe Weather Ready in the Western Carolinas and Northeast
Georgia,” 2017). In total, the United States records approximately 25 million cloud to ground
lightning strikes a year and South Carolina is responsible for approximately 460,000 of them
(“Lightning”). Lightning is more likely to strike in places of higher elevation, higher pressure
systems, and higher temperatures (van Wagtendonk and Cayan, 2008). Being in the Upstate, an
area with an abundance of mountains and warm weather all year long makes Clemson more
likely to have severe lightning storms.

Aside from the dangers of a person or building being struck by lightning, there is also a concern
over damage if lightning strikes trees (Figure 2). In the higher elevation areas and mountains of
South Carolina, there are an abundance of deciduous trees. When lightning strikes a tree, the
immense heat over a short period of time can cause a fire. Approximately 44% of wildfires
across the United States are triggered by lightning annually. Dryness caused by a lack of rain and
rising temperatures have made lightning strikes more likely to cause a fire. The rise in fossil fuel
use and greenhouse gases has been the major culprit of increasing temperatures. It is predicted
that lightning strikes will increase by 50% over the next century (Schwartz and Penney, 2020).

Figure 2: Example of a lightning induced forest fire in Sierra National Forest, California. The lack
of rain in California has made forest fires spread faster across the state (Associated Press,
2021).

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Lightning Storm Safety

Spreading Tips and Tricks via Clemson Alerts

There is no doubt that lightning storms are something of concern because of the damage they can
cause directly or indirectly to a person or building. Many colleges across the country, including
Clemson, use an alarm system to alert of nearby storms. The problem with these storm systems is
that they can only be heard if you are walking around outside on campus. This current
notification system does not notify off campus residents or people that are inside buildings.

A more effective notification tool is the CU Alert system where a text message gets sent directly
to any subscriber's phone. This system is currently used for tornados, power outages, road
closures, and dangers on campus. Using this system to alert people of lightning storms is an easy
and already in place tool to keep the Clemson community safe.

In addition to notifying via text when a lightning storm is nearby, a link should be attached to the
message with the appropriate safety measures and tools one should follow. These tips such as,
remaining inside away from conductors of electricity, concrete, and plumbing are life skills that
will keep people safe on campus or wherever they are in the future. The quick link makes this
information easily accessible and able to be referenced in the future. As well as providing storm
safety tips, information should be included about what to do if a person or building is struck by
lightning, and the appropriate measures to be taken if the storm alarm sounds off.

Figure 3: Example of text messages sent by Clemson University Alert System.

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Information on CU Alert System

According to the Clemson University website, the goal of CU Alerts is to inform of emergencies
and dangers that are unsafe or cause campus disruptions. These messages are sent to anyone with
a clemson.edu email address, but the messages can also be sent directly to someone's text
messages. These messages being sent directly to someone’s texts is crucial because lightning
storms can come on suddenly and immediate action may be needed. This system also provides a
notification when the danger is gone, which ensures no confusion especially since it can look
clear outside one minute, but major storm signs can appear in another.

Increasing Campus Safety by Implementing CU Alert System

By implementing the CU Alert System to spread notifications for lightning storms, students and
faculty can be informed of potential storm dangers despite their unpredictable nature. Lightning
storms can appear suddenly and are scary in the moment. By providing subscribers with safety
tips, some of the stress, anxiety, and uncertainty of lightning storms will be alleviated. By using a
system that is already in place, there is an infrastructure of users so the clientele is familiar with
the system and it can be seamlessly integrated. In addition, since many people already use the
CU Alert System, many people will already be signed up to receive the notifications which
increases and impacts a wide audience of people. Notifying of the potential dangers from a
lightning storm is the starting place to ensure the maximum number of people are provided with
the appropriate information to be protected.

This alert will provide students and faculty with the appropriate safety measures when adverse
weather is occurring. The notification will state to seek shelter immediately as a storm is
approaching with a link that goes to a website which shares the local weather updates, how to
stay safe during storms, and emergency services contact information. In addition, there will be a
notification stating when the danger has passed. Even though storms are constantly being
monitored, the path they take can unexpectedly change thus require immediate action by people
in order to stay protected. This storm notification system will prevent people from putting
themselves in danger and hopefully allow for ambient time so everyone can seek shelter and
have time to create alternative plans if the storm affects their schedule.

Conclusion

Lightning is a dangerous amount of unbalanced energy in the atmosphere that needs to be taken
seriously. While it is much harder to predict and control future storms, taking the appropriate
measures is a simple and necessary step to provide storm safety. With modern technology and
knowledge on the power of lightning, it is crucial that society makes a change to lower the

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carbon emissions that will ultimately decrease the amount of lightning storms each year. With
continuous storm safety innovation and education, the damages from lightning can be mitigated
for the future.

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References

Ambardekar, Nayana. “Lightning Strike Treatment: First Aid Information for Lightning Strike.”
WebMD, 12 Sept. 2021, https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/lightning-strike-treatment.

Associated Press. “Lightning Strike Likely Ignited Creek Fire in Sierra National Forest,
Investigators Say.” KTLA, 16 July 2021,
https://ktla.com/news/california/wildfires/lightning-strike-likely-ignited-creek-fire-in-
sierra-national-forest-investigators-say/.

“Becoming Severe Weather Ready in the Western Carolinas and Northeast Georgia.” NOAA's
National Weather Service, 8 Mar. 2017, https://www.weather.gov/gsp/gspPrepare_8.

Elsom, Derek M. Lightning. Reaktion Books, 2015.

Krider , and Tikkanean . “Thunderstorm Electrification.” Encyclopædia Britannica,

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 29 Oct. 2020,
https://www.britannica.com/science/thunderstorm/Thunderstorm-electrification.

Lawal, Shola. “Africa, a Thunder and Lightning Hot Spot, May See Even More Storms.” The
New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Feb. 2020,
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/10/climate/lightning-africa-climate-change.html.

“Lightning.” South Carolina Department of Natural Resources,

https://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/Education/facts/lightning.pdf.

“Lightning Basics.” NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory,

https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/lightning/.

“Lightning Myths.” National Weather Service, NOAA's National Weather Service, 20 Apr.
2018, https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-myths.

Penton, Rachael. “Why You Should Stay Away from Concrete during Summer Storms.” WVLT
TV, 9 July. 2020, https://www.wvlt.tv/2020/07/10/why-you-should-stay-away-from-
concrete-during-summer-storms/.

Schwartz, John, and Veronica Penney. “In the West, Lightning Grows as a Cause of
Damaging Fires.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 23 Oct. 2020,
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/10/23/climate/west-lightning-
wildfires.html.

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van Wagtendonk, Jan W, and Daniel R Cayan. “Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Lightning
Strikes in California in Relation to Large-Scale Weather Patterns.” Fire Ecology,
Springer International Publishing, 1 June 2008,
https://fireecology.springeropen.com/articles/10.4996/fireecology.0401034.

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