Emergency Management

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lightning Safety

Lightning strikes are very common in the Front Range. Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from the area where it is raining. That's about the distance you can hear thunder. If you can hear thunder, you are withen striking distance. Seek safe shelter when you hear thunder.

Designate a responsible person to monitor lightning activity during any outdoor event. The safest locations to be in during lightning activity are an enclosed building and an enclosed metal vehicle.

During thunder storms avoid:

  • High places and open fields, isolated trees, unprotected gazebos, rain or picnic shelters, baseball dugouts, communications towers, flagpoles, light poles, bleachers (metal or wood), metal fences, convertibles, golf carts, and water (ocean, lakes, swimming pools, rivers, etc.).

An important thing to remember: Sometimes lightning storms can develop overhead. This means that the first lightning strike from the cloud might be in your immediate location. It is recommended that you should be on alert for developing thunderclouds overhead when outdoors.