Louisiana lightning?

[hudson144 150]

This summer we have seen some crazy storms roll through the Hudson Valley area. Yesterday one in the early am and then around 3:30 pm a storm with some great bolts of lightning hitting the area. Living in Louisiana years ago I have seen some crazy storms hit the NW corner of La. and these storms reminded me of back then. On the radio I heard that 12 people were struck in the area. About 15 yrs ago when I was out on the river my antenna starting buzzing,my hair was standing up (keep in mind i had more hair then) and my fishing lines were actually lifting up in the air without any help from the wind. I guess this was as close as I could get to getting struck because according to my sources the static electricity was there and conditions were right. Since then I have gained alot of respect for lightning and I know the hazards that we may face.

As firefighters we are often called out on many storm related incidents here in the HV. Lets start a forum to help remind each other of the hazards that we may encounter as emergency responders when the lightning is striking all around us.

Edited July 28, 2008 by hudson144

[SRS131EMTFF 471]

Have their been an instances when a bolt of lightning has struck an aerial/tower ladder and if so what happened to the rig/firefighters?

[hudson144 150]

Jun 28-Caldwell County NC- 8 firefighters were struck while taking a break as a forest fire was being fought.u tube has alot of actual footage on lightning.