Be Weather Aware and Have a Safe 4th of July!
July 01, 2016
by Jason R. Anderson
According to AAA, over 43 million Americans will hit the road this weekend for Independence Day and will experience fireworks, concerts, carnivals, sporting events and many other summertime activities. With all this outdoor activity, there is no better time to remind event promoters, planners and managers about outdoor weather safety.
According to the National Weather Service graphic below, summertime weather events are the leading cause of deaths and injuries in the United States.
Lightning is the surprise killer, as lightning can travel several miles or more from where the most significant rain, wind and hail are occurring. When lightning is imminent, a good rule of thumb is, “when thunder roars, go indoors!” At any outdoor event, remaining in an open air field or pavilion is never safe. Direct patrons to seek safety in a permanent structure or return to their vehicles and wait out the storm.
Heat is the silent killer. Organizers at outdoor events should ensure patrons have access to cooling stations and water to remain hydrated, and remind patrons to avoid open exposure to the sun for long periods of time on hot and humid days.
Going along with the risk from heat and lightning, are strong damaging winds, large hail and the chance of tornadoes from thunderstorms. Many structures such as tents, stages, lightning fixtures, and large screens can become loose from their moorings and turn into dangerous projectiles that can injure or kill patrons. It does not take a tornado for winds to cause damage. Even isolated wind gusts in excess of 35 mph can create dangerous conditions at many outdoor venues.
Finally, the number one weather killer in 2015 was from flooding. Heavy rainfall often accompanies thunderstorms during the summer season which can create significant disruptions and safety concerns from structures becoming unstable, electrical incidents and rapidly rising water in poor drainage areas, and from nearby streams and creeks. Take for example the recent flooding in West Virginia in June. Some locations saw 8 to 10 inches of rain in less than 8 hours. While this is an extreme example, even 1 to 2 inches of rain falling in less than an hour can turn an outdoor field into a mud pit leading to a host of problems.
In all these, and many other risks this summer, the best way to protect yourselves and your patrons is to have a Severe Weather Action Plan, monitor the surrounding weather conditions, watch the skies and familiarize yourself with simple weather safety tips. For promoters of outdoor events, having a professional weather service to provide the data, tools and forecasting to enable you to make timely, actionable decisions can make the difference in protecting your patrons, workers, talent and assets from the storm. Don’t be afraid or unaware, be weather aware!
