Category: News & Updates
IOEM Reminds Residents to Stay Safe During National Lightning Safety Awareness Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 21, 2024
Contact: Tristan Lewis
(208) 803-5216
tlewis@imd.idaho.gov
IOEM Reminds Residents to Stay Safe During National Lightning Safety Awareness Week
BOISE, ID – As National Lightning Safety Awareness Week approaches, the Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM) urges all Idahoans to take precautions to stay safe and informed about the dangers of lightning. This year, National Lightning Safety Awareness Week runs from June 23 to June 29.
Lightning is a powerful and often underestimated natural event. According to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in the United States, an average of 33 people are killed and 182 people are injured each year by lightning. Although most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms.
Lightning also poses significant risks to property and the environment. In Eastern Idaho, 47% of wildfires between 2000 and 2020 were caused by lightning. These fires often occur during dry seasons, increasing risk and danger.
Idaho experiences its share of lightning hazards, with the Vaisala Corporation reporting 845,469 lightning events in the state in 2023. High elevation areas are particularly prone to lightning strikes.
Safety Tips Before, During, and After Thunderstorms:
Before Thunderstorms and Lightning:
- Know Your Risk: Thunderstorms can happen year-round and at any hour. Be aware of your area’s risks.
- Stay Informed: Sign up for community warning systems and listen to Emergency Alert System (EAS) and NOAA Weather Radio alerts.
- Prepare Your Property: Trim trees that might fall on your home and consider installing surge protectors, lightning rods, or a lightning protection system.
During Thunderstorms and Lightning:
- When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors: Seek shelter in a building immediately.
- Indoor Safety: Avoid using plumbing or landline phones, as electricity can travel through these systems. Unplug appliances and other electric devices.
- Water Safety: If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find grounded shelter immediately. If necessary, seek shelter in a hard topped car, but avoid touching anything metal inside the vehicle.
- Flood Safety: Avoid flooded roadways. Remember, “Turn Around Don’t Drown” – just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot can sweep away your vehicle.
After Thunderstorms and Lightning:
- Stay Updated: Listen to authorities and weather forecasts to determine when it is safe to go outside. Suspend outdoor activities for at least 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.
- Report Hazards: Watch for and report fallen power lines and trees immediately.
IOEM encourages everyone to create and review safety plans and educate family members about the precautions to take before, during, and after a thunderstorm. By staying informed and prepared, we can build a safer, more resilient Idaho.
FEMA Seeks Leaders for Youth Preparedness Council
BOTHELL, Wash. – FEMA is accepting applications for the Youth Preparedness Council (YPC), a program that brings teens together from across the nation who are interested and engaged in community preparedness.
Council members are selected based on their dedication to public service, their efforts in making a difference in their communities and their potential to expand their impact as national leaders for emergency preparedness. Students in grades eight through 11 are eligible to apply.
FEMA Administrator Dianne Criswell recognizes the important role that the YPC plays in shaping our future.
“The Youth Preparedness Council is a unique opportunity for teens across America to get a sense of what it’s like to be an emergency manager. It also lets us take a glimpse into the future of our profession —and let me say, the future is bright,” said Administrator Criswell. “These young leaders give me so much hope that we’ll be able to create a more prepared, resilient America that the next generation needs and deserves. I’m looking forward to watching this new Council come together and seeing what they’re able to accomplish.”
During their one-year term, council members collaborate with each other to develop projects that promote preparedness on a local, regional, and national scale. Members also engage with leaders within FEMA, the federal government, and national non-profit organizations.
Youth interested in applying to the council must submit a completed application form and provide two letters of recommendation. All applications and supporting materials must be submitted no later than March 4. New council members will be announced by June 2024.
Youth living in FEMA Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington) may be invited to join the FEMA Region 10 YPC, a similar council that focuses specifically on creating projects within these four states.
To access the application materials, read about the current council members, and for more information about the Youth Preparedness Council visit the Youth Preparedness Council page on FEMA.gov.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.