Good Question – Struck By Lightning
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Good Question – Struck By Lightning
What are your chances of being struck by lightning? Are you really safe inside a car? And can lightning strike the same place twice? Good question.
Reporter: Jeff Herndon
Email Address: jeff.herndon@kake.com
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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: warren on Nov 17, 2009 at 08:55 AM

oh hell no if this liop confusing me with this chick name corrine i will beat him l boy dont st
Posted by: Joe Location: Wichita on Sep 25, 2009 at 11:43 AM

I was almost hit twice in one summer back in 1974. I was working fuel&line at the Salina airport. Twice I was out side during a heavy storm and got a hard shock from nearby strokes. I have, ever since, been extremly cautious, almost to the point of phobia, around lighting.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 21, 2009 at 03:01 PM

There is one thing to consider if in a car during a lightning storm. If you are touching anything metal attatched to the interior, you can be injured. Thankfully the majority of car interiors now are mostly plaatic and rubber (which does not conduct electricity). The only exception is if you drive a ragtop convertable. I used to own one and it was stated in the owner's manual.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 21, 2009 at 02:01 PM

Cat, you are safe in the car if its hit by lightning but the car isnt gunna be in very good condition after having a bunch of very VERY high voltage goin through it.... and prolly a good thing it didnt catch on fire
Posted by: sc Location: wichita on Aug 21, 2009 at 08:25 AM

@curious 8:54 - Yes you would be safe. A waterbed, or any body of water for that matter is not a magnet for lightning. Unless the waterbed is on your roof, there is no increased danger versus a normal bed. Also, the water in the bed is isolated by the plastic mattress. So unless there was a leak that had a continous stream to the location that was struck, the voltage could not travel to the bed. Also, since electricity takes the path of least resistance, it would have no reason to enter your body. Water is also a poor conductor of electricity, so all in all, your safety is still on par with being in any other part of your house during a storm.
Posted by: Cat Location: Northern NJ on Aug 20, 2009 at 09:24 PM

I had to pick my husband up after he was towed form a NJ airport after a terrific thunder and lightening storm. His Toyota was working fine before he left for work. The light for the air bags were light buth the air bags were not deployed. It took several mechanics to find out what happened. After evaluating the situation , we later found that the main computer box was melted and the rear tire had many tiny holes in it. Lightening had entered The car and exited through the rear tire. I thought that this was upsurd. However, other items are melted under the dashboard. We filed with insurance and are waiting for them to decide. I always thought you were safe in a car.
Posted by: Curious Location: Beloit, KS on Aug 20, 2009 at 08:54 PM

What about sleeping on a water bed during a storm. If lightning were to strike nearby, would a person be safe in a water bed?