Paddling: Lightning and Sudden Summer Storms

This is the time of year when sudden summer storms take paddlers off guard.

Paddling in the rain isn’t a big deal, but lightning follows many of these storms. This can be a big deal. According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma, more people die each year from lightning than from hurricanes and tornadoes combined. Approximately 400 people are injured and 40 people killed by lightning each year. Your chances of being struck by lightning are slim: 1 in 1,000,000 (you have a better chance of winning the lottery). If you are unlucky enough to be hit, you have an 80% chance of survival.

Up to 30 million volts can be discharged by one lightning bolt, enough to power a 100-watt light bulb for three days. Most lightning strike survivors are not struck by lightning directly; rather they are hit by a bolt that jumps from or passes through another object. “Splash” lightning is caused when lightning strikes a nearby tree or rock and the current travels through the soggy ground.

The safest place to be during a storm is indoors. However, if you are on a paddling trip, it is a good idea to know how to protect yourself. The best and most common option is to get out of the water and head for a clump of trees. Avoid standing under a lone tree as lightning usually strikes the highest point around.

There is a theoretical cone of protection that extends 45 degrees out from the highest tree or landmass. The idea being that if you stand under an object that is over 100 feet tall, the lightning will hit the object instead of you. However, the threat of being shocked by ground current makes this a good option only when there is no other place to go. Lighting can jump over 12 feet across the water, and wet, sand beaches are great conductions. So, it is not a good idea to hug the shore too closely, nor is it wise to hide under a tree on a sandy beach. If you are close to a put-in or take out, it is probably a good idea to start heading for the car.

The Wilderness Paddler’s Handbook

This book by America’s preeminent canoeing author combines evocative wilderness writing with nuts-and-bolts coverage of all practical aspects of canoe tripping. Alan Kesselheim uses the lessons he’s learned first-hand over thousands of miles of wilderness paddling to create a context for conveying everything a new or experienced paddler can expect to encounter, on any type of water.

The best way to reduce your chances of being struck is to be aware. Pay attention to the weather. Look for darkening clouds, increasing winds, and rumbling thunder. Try to avoid starting a paddling trip if the forecast calls for a storm (even if the weatherman is usually wrong). Lightning usually occurs in the afternoon. Seventy percent of lightning strikes happen between noon and 6 p.m., when the temperature difference between the land (or water) and air is at its most dramatic.

Judge the distance of an approaching storm by counting the seconds between lighting flashes and thunder booms. The rule of thumb is that five seconds equal one mile. Start counting when lighting flashes, and stop when you hear the thunder. If you count thirty seconds between lightning and thunder, you can assume that the storm is six miles away – find shelter fast!

The National Lightning Safety Institute recommends you follow the 30/30 rule. Since lightning can strike up to 10 minutes before a storm hits, by the time the lightning to thunder count is less than 30 seconds, you should be in a safe place. Wait 30 minutes after a storm before resuming your activity.

If you are caught outside during a storm, get below the highest point you can find. Being stuck on the water is a tough call – tall trees along the shore may be more dangerous than actually being out in a boat. Try to position yourself in a dry spot, preferably some kind of insulated surface. Crouch on the balls of your toes to minimize the surface area through which a current can move. Do not sit or lie down. The less you are in contact with the ground, the better. Minimize your contact with wet items.

Stay off of sandy beaches. Do not huddle in groups. Lightning can travel from person to person. To avoid having lightning take out an entire crowd, stay 15 to 40 yards apart. Do not hide in a cave. Caves usually contain moisture, making them more susceptible to conducting electricity. Stick to crouching under shorter trees and bushes.

Wondering what your chances are of getting zapped? If you live in the eastern U.S. your chances increase. The top states with lightning deaths include Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, and New York.