Lightning strikes in colorado (car, electric, build)

[formercalifornian]

I'm aware of two recent strikes that involved houses in the Castle Rock/Parker area. One caused a fire, while the other just blew the roof shingles off. Nobody was hurt in either incident. A few weeks ago, I was sitting in my living room during a storm when lightning hit very close. I saw the flash out of the corner of my eye and felt the explosion simultaneously. It shook the house and scared me half to death, but there was no visible damage to any property.

We do play it safe with the kids, calling them inside whenever a storm commences. More than once this summer, school dismissal has been delayed about 30 minutes until a lightning storm passed. Other than that, we just find a safe vantage point and enjoy the show.

[NatureCoastFL]

Originally Posted by rebagirl

A little off-topic, but do you get severe shocks every time you touch metal in a grocery store? Either I have tons of electricity in my body or our local Vons has an unusual supply of it! I can't tell you how many times I've nearly cursed in the frozen food aisle or dropped a can of cat food because of being zapped. Just wondering if the aridness and frequent lightning make this a common occurrence in your stores as well. I hate getting shocks!

This happens to me as well and I live in humid florida. The above described scenario happens because by pushing the shopping cart you are building up a static charge in your body and when you touch the grounded freezer doors or a metal shelf, the static electricity discharges and you feel the pain. The effect is probablly more dramatic due to the dry air, but is it not caused by the dry air; it caused by the friction between your feet and the floor and the cart's wheels on the floor.....

[Nadine]

Originally Posted by NatureCoastFL

This happens to me as well and I live in humid florida. The above described scenario happens because by pushing the shopping cart you are building up a static charge in your body and when you touch the grounded freezer doors or a metal shelf, the static electricity discharges and you feel the pain. The effect is probablly more dramatic due to the dry air, but is it not caused by the dry air; it caused by the friction between your feet and the floor and the cart's wheels on the floor.....

OK but why can my hubby do the same exact thing I do and never get the shock. It has to have something to do with my electric personality. I get shocks just touch a car sometimes. No carpent or wheels there. Sure getting out of the car but just walking across gravel to the car. There has to be more.

[.gif]

lightning is not a big deal.

[rebagirl]

Originally Posted by NatureCoastFL

This happens to me as well and I live in humid florida. The above described scenario happens because by pushing the shopping cart you are building up a static charge in your body and when you touch the grounded freezer doors or a metal shelf, the static electricity discharges and you feel the pain. The effect is probablly more dramatic due to the dry air, but is it not caused by the dry air; it caused by the friction between your feet and the floor and the cart's wheels on the floor.....

I once read that if you rub the bottom of your shoes with a Bounce sheet (or other anti-static dryer sheet), you won't get shocked. Well, I tried that, as well as rubbing the sheet on the cart handle--yes, I must have looked like an idiot. I still received shocks. I also notice that it mainly happens at one particular store. Weird, but annoying.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by .gif

lightning is not a big deal.

Oh, yes it is.

[Coloradoan]

Lightning is a very big deal. I survived a lightning strike almost 20 years ago while hiking in the Red Feather Lakes area north of Fort Collins with my husband. This was not during a thunderstorm or during any kind of threatening weather, only a slightly overcast sky. I was very fortunate to have survived my injuries, but was left with heart irregularities and partial hearing loss. Lightning is something to take very seriously as it has taken the lives of many people in the state over the years.

[formercalifornian]

Reading the paper this afternoon, I came upon an article about a third lightning strike on a house in the Castle Rock/Parker area this past summer.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by Nadine

OK but why can my hubby do the same exact thing I do and never get the shock. It has to have something to do with my electric personality. I get shocks just touch a car sometimes. No carpent or wheels there. Sure getting out of the car but just walking across gravel to the car. There has to be more.

I think the material your shoes are made out of has an effect on that.

[Nadine]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

I think the material your shoes are made out of has an effect on that.

Guess all my shoes must be the same. Even my gators? But that does not really fit. Rubber soles as well as compation etc. Weird whatever.

Back to lightening. It sure is to be taken seriously. That is what I meant in my very first post. It is not something I worry about, worry does not fix anything. I just do what has been recommended and protect me and mine as best I know how. The lightening website posted on this thread was your information to do so. Things happen that no one can foresee. Just don't be foolish. Lightening is a fact as other nature dangers.