When Thunder Roars: The Hidden Dangers of Lightning and How to Stay Safe
What started as a sunny day at the lake ended with 12 people hospitalized after a bolt of lightning electrified the water, a barrier cable, and everyone near it.
In his latest video, Dr. Joe Corcoran unpacks the terrifying incident at Lake Murray in South Carolina, where a lightning strike injured about 20 swimmers. But he goes beyond the headlines to explain what lightning really does to the human body and how you can protect yourself and others, especially during summer vacations and outdoor holidays like the Fourth of July.
Lightning: More Powerful Than You Think
A bolt of lightning carries 10,000 to 100,000 times more electrical energy than the current in your home.
Its heat? Five times hotter than the surface of the sun.
That kind of power doesn’t just cause burns, it can stop a person’s heart and breathing instantly, while also short-circuiting the nervous system and affecting the brain.
4 Ways Lightning Strikes the Body:
Direct Hit – Rare but often fatal.
Side Flash (Ricochet) – Lightning bounces off another object and strikes you.
Ground Current – Like in the Lake Murray case, energy spreads through water or ground.
Conduction – You’re near a metal structure like a mast or flagpole that transfers the charge.
While most victims survive lightning strikes thanks to its "flashover" effect (where electricity travels over the skin), injuries can still be severe and long-lasting—often including burns, heart stoppage, and neurological symptoms like memory loss or PTSD.
What To Do if Someone Gets Hit:
Call 911 immediately
Make sure the scene is safe before approaching
Start chest compressions if the person isn’t breathing or has no pulse
Do not assume they’re beyond help—lightning strike victims may appear dead but can be revived with CPR
Why Homes and Cars Keep You Safe
Lightning safety isn’t just about shelter—it’s about structure. A solid building or vehicle acts as a Faraday cage, a shell that forces electricity around the outside and protects what's inside. That means:
✅ Cars with hard tops are safer than golf carts or convertibles
✅ Enclosed buildings with plumbing and wiring are safest
❌ Open tents, pavilions, or soft-top jeeps won’t protect you
“When thunder roars, get indoors,” Dr. Joe reminds us. Especially in Florida—the lightning capital of the U.S.—this advice is more than a slogan. It’s a lifesaving strategy.
Whether you’re at the beach, the lake, or in your backyard, take lightning seriously. Know the risks, act fast, and help protect others.
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