Lighting strike hits 4 near White House

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean you NEVER stand under a tree in a thunderstorm - do people really not know this? My 10 yr old knows. I think it needs to be a first lesson to everyone that's really sad people are not aware.

I grew up in an area with few thunderstorms, so this is maybe something that not all people know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean you NEVER stand under a tree in a thunderstorm - do people really not know this? My 10 yr old knows. I think it needs to be a first lesson to everyone that's really sad people are not aware.

I grew up in an area with few thunderstorms, so this is maybe something that not all people know.

I mean I knew that but I was always taught to avoid trees in open fields because lightning will arc towards the tallest object.

Lafayette Square is in the middle of the city and surrounded by tall buildings with metal rods. Though I admit a park is an isolated field…maybe there’s some security tech in the tree the lightning went for?

[Anonymous]

I remember being on the Mall when a thunderstorm came through. EVERYONE started heading for cover under the trees, while my friend and I ran for the Metro.

One guy was running up the pathway, soaking wet, screaming "GET OUT FROM UNDER THE TREES! THERE'S LIGHTNING!" A few people started heading for the Metro or the museums, but most of them continued hunkering under the trees.

I know they have big signs up during Folklife that instruct people not to go under trees in thunderstorms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember being on the Mall when a thunderstorm came through. EVERYONE started heading for cover under the trees, while my friend and I ran for the Metro.

One guy was running up the pathway, soaking wet, screaming "GET OUT FROM UNDER THE TREES! THERE'S LIGHTNING!" A few people started heading for the Metro or the museums, but most of them continued hunkering under the trees.

I know they have big signs up during Folklife that instruct people not to go under trees in thunderstorms.

Isn't this just a metaphor for life, though? The question is, who are you? Are you the one silently heading to safety, the ones in masses huddled in the dangerzone, Or the Hero who runs through the rain with no umbrella trying to save the ignorant innocents from the unseen dangers?

[Anonymous]

Another casualty of the storm that same day but in Baltimore - Arlington man killed leaving a construction site. Left a wife and three children. So tragic.

https://www.univision.com/local/washington-dc-wfdc/trabajador-construccion-hispano-muere-impacto-rayo-baltimore

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's weird that that is apparently the second lightening strike in Lafayette Square in 2 years. Is there something in the ground there?

https://wtop.com/dc/2022/08/4-people-in-critical-condition-after-lightning-strike-near-white-house/

I'm not sure what I'd do if I got stuck in Lafayette Square in a thunderstorm. I guess run to the Metro or into a hotel lobby?

Getting away from the park and heading inside is what you need to do, period. Going to a metro entrance or a hotel are both good options.

You can always do lightening position which is what you do when hiking above treeline in a storm - crouch into a ball but stay on your feet. But - shelter in a building or car is the best.

Seems unlikely many could hold that position in a field for 20 minutes

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's weird that that is apparently the second lightening strike in Lafayette Square in 2 years. Is there something in the ground there?

https://wtop.com/dc/2022/08/4-people-in-critical-condition-after-lightning-strike-near-white-house/

I'm not sure what I'd do if I got stuck in Lafayette Square in a thunderstorm. I guess run to the Metro or into a hotel lobby?

Getting away from the park and heading inside is what you need to do, period. Going to a metro entrance or a hotel are both good options.

You can always do lightening position which is what you do when hiking above treeline in a storm - crouch into a ball but stay on your feet. But - shelter in a building or car is the best.

Seems unlikely many could hold that position in a field for 20 minutes

This makes me wonder whether they were leaning against the tree. Because wouldn’t the lightening run through the tree and discharge in the ground? The soles of your shoes should discharge it like rubber tires.

[Anonymous]

The Post with an incredible follow up.