There would be around 250 stormy days per year in France with around a hundred people affected and around ten deaths. How to protect yourself from it? In a car ? Out ? Can we drive? Take a shower ? Advice from a firefighter.
An episode of high heat is often followed by a thunderstorm, as was the case during the weekend of June 17-18, 2023 in France. According Weatherstormthere are approximately 250 stormy days per year in France with a hundred people affected and ten deaths. “In proportion, the accidents are low but zero risk does not exist, a few basic rules of personal protection could surely reduce the number of victims“, indicates Vincent Lombart from the outset, firefighter and former firefighter of Paris. How protect yourself from a storm at home ? By car ? Out ? Near a beach? At the camping ? Can we take a shower? Conduct ? Should you unplug your electrical equipment? ? Advice.
Is the storm dangerous or not?
“Thunderstorms have always been dangerous to humans. In addition to the potentially traumatic effects associated with noise and lightning, the human body is a good conductor of electric current and storm clouds (cumulonimbus recognizable by their strong vertical extensions in anvil shape) generate strong electric currents which, to reach the ground, take the shortest way going through a good driver like all high points (church steeple, buildings, pylons, trees), but also a human being”, explains our interlocutor in the preamble. To protect himself, “common sense rules should be followed because thunderstorms are often short duration but can be very high intensity with significant material damage.”
According to Weather Channel, the danger of a thunderstorm can be estimated using the number of flashes observed in a storm. A thunderstorm is powerful and therefore “more dangerous” (the risk of lightning is higher) if lightning strikes close togetherin the form of repeated lightning strikes (sign that they hit the ground directly from the clouds). Furthermore, if the top of the cloud is sparkling white and its base is blackthe storm is intense and can be accompanied by strong gusts of wind, heavy showers and sometimes even hail.
► In summerthunderstorms are more frequent but of intensity low to moderate.
► In winter, thunderstorms are less frequent but high intensity (average amperages twice as high as during summer episodes, and more than one impact in 3 proves to be violent (i.e. greater than 50,000 amperes) during this period, compared to 1 in 15 in summer).
What are the health hazards of thunderstorms?
The damage of the storm on the human body can be multiple:
► The direct effects of the storm (lightning):
- superficial burn
- internal burn
- Electrification/electrocution
- Cardiac arrest
► The indirect effects of the storm (associated with strong gales or precipitation):
- Falling materials
- falling trees
- Floods…
What to unplug in the event of a storm?
Regarding prevention,the best is to stay in his house when possible and unplug electrical appliances (TV, aerial cable, fixed telephone, computer, box, multiple sockets, etc.) and D’avoid touching all metal parts and parts (appliances, water taps, pylons, grids, posts, fences…)“. If a thunderstorm is forecast, objects sensitive to the wind and which could fall should be sheltered beforehand. If possible, it is best to have surge arresters installed beforehand which protect electrical devices against current fluctuations without unplugging them.
Can we shower in the event of a storm?
In the event of a thunderstorm,it’s necessary avoid touching water from drains because of the risk of electrical current rising) and therefore it is better avoid taking a shower or bath“, warns the firefighter.
Car: can we drive in the event of a storm?
It is better to avoid driving in the event of a storm and above all, do not touch the metal parts of the car. “Outdoors, a stationary vehicle remains a good place where to protect oneself the tires act as an insulator and the body made “faraday cage” (which makes it possible to block the magnetic field), of course, in avoid parking under a tree“.
Should we close the windows in the event of a storm?
In case of thunderstorm, it is better close windows and shutters“if possible in the lower levels (even in the basement)“, he recommends. It is also better not to stay near windows.
On foot, for example when hiking, if there is no refuge nearby and it is impossible to take shelter inside, you must:
- Avoid walking or running but rather do small steps because of what is called step voltage. “For example, the quadrupeds are much more likely to be struck by lightning: about 20,000 deaths per year“.
- Avoid taking shelter under an isolated tree and stay away from wooded areas.
- Do not take shelter under an umbrella.
- Do not engage in a submerged path or near a watercourse (therefore not close to a beacha lake, a river, a swimming pool, etc.).
- curl up near the ground : squat on the ground, feet on an insulating material (slicker, K-way, backpack, rope) and tuck your head into your shoulders.
- Stay at least 3 meters away from other people in the area.
- Cover yourself with waterproof clothing or a tarp for shelter.
- at the campsite: do not stay in the tent and favor a concrete place or squat on the ground.
If you witness an accident linked to storms, the action to take is the same for any type of accident:
- Protect : to avoid aggravation of the victim’s condition. Check its condition. If she is breathing, put her in the lateral safety position (PLS). If she is not breathing, do a heart massage or use a defibrillator if possible.
- To alert by calling the emergency (18, 112, 17 or 15)
- To rescue “within the limits of its powers. The best being to be guided by the call to the emergency service“, concludes our specialist.
Thanks to Vincent Lombart, firefighter and former firefighter from Paris.