Lightning safety?

[Mike P]

Ditch the rod, find a low spot in the dunes, and assume the fetal position.

And start heading for cover when you hear thunder rumbling---when it cracks, it's too close.

Use the flash and sound method---when you see a flash, start counting "one-one thousand, two-one thousand" and so on. Sound travels a mile in about 5 seconds. If you see lightning flash and you don't get to "fifteen one thousand" before you hear thunder, you're cutting it close. Get to cover ASAP.

Cold front thunderstorms can move at up to 60 miles an hour which translates into a mile a minute. And, the storm doesn't have to be right on top of you for lightning to pose a danger. Last year in NJ a guy was killed by lightning from a storm that was still 2 miles offshore.