WCOM NEWS

6-08-04

Lightning knocks 2 construction workers off roof in Miramar

MIRAMAR--A bolt of lightning knocked two construction workers off the roof of a home in Miramar on Monday, even though weather officials said the culprit thunderstorm was about four miles away.

Though neither man was seriously injured, the incident underscores a major danger in South Florida: Lightning doesn't just strike when a storm is overhead.

"Many people are struck by lightning before it starts to rain or after it stops raining," said meteorologist Jim Lushine, of the National Weather Service in Miami. "It's a warning that we're in rainy season and lightning season, as well."

The two workers, whose names were not released, were in the 5300 block of Southwest 159th Avenue at 9:45 a.m. Monday, when lightning struck a nearby crane, and "the electrical current, as well as the sound waves from it" knocked both men to the ground, said Miramar Fire-Rescue spokesman Romeo Lavarias.

"They were not directly hit by the lightning," he said.

Both men temporarily lost consciousness and were taken to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood. .

At 10:15 a.m., lightning struck a palm tree near a home in the 600 block of North 71st Avenue in Hollywood, rupturing a natural gas line and igniting a small fire.

Firefighters contained the blaze until the gas company arrived and closed off the line to about 20 homes on the block, said Hollywood Fire-Rescue spokesman Matt Phillips.

About a half-hour later, lightning started a 3-acre blaze at Holiday Park, 21940 Griffin Road. At 1:30 p.m., lightning struck the roof of the French Quarter condominiums in Wellington, sparking a small fire in the attic, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue officials said. No one was injured.

At 2 p.m. a severe thunderstorm warning issued as squalls whipped much of South Florida. Some trees and power lines were reported down in Plantation. There was minor flooding in Hollywood.

Lightning kills an average of 10 people a year in Florida and 73 nationwide. Across Florida, known as the lightning capital of the United States, lightning strikes 1 million times a year. There are more lightning deaths in South Florida than anywhere else in the United States, 84 since 1959, Lushine said.

"Construction areas are among the most dangerous places for lightning, because they have tall objects and people are working," he said.

Lushine said lightning is most prolific in July and August and urged residents to consider the "30-30 rule":

Before a storm, if you see lightning and can count no higher than 30 before hearing thunder, you could be in danger because the lightning is within six miles. If so, seek shelter.

After a storm, you should wait at least 30 minutes to return to outdoor activities.

(source) Sun Sentinel (Ken Kaye and Vicky Agnew) 6-08-04