What to do in electrical storm

ozjohn · Guru

What to do in electrical storm

carry1 · Veteran Member

Probably been talked about but cannot find an old thread, anyway we had a big storm last night and being new to caravaning made us think about being out there in a big thunder / lightning storm. Sitting in a big metal shell feeling like a target. !!!! Any tips to keep ourselves safe ? , and what NOT to do. confuse

Michael & Rita.

Happywanderer · The Master

Know how you feel. I had to drive through one yesterday afternoon on the way back to Biggenden from Bundaberg.
It was scary and the rain was so heavy could hardly see the road. I kept driving at a very slowly rate as did the cars behind me. Thought about pulling over but thought better to get further along and hope it wasn't happening all the way, which it wasn't. Suddenly I breathed a sigh of relief as we popped out into blue sky and sunshine.

KFT · Guru

G'day carry1,

Probably the most important thing is not to park near any trees if you can avoid it.
Secure or stow loose items like chairs and tables etc
disconnect the antenna connection to your tv set and unplug any appliances that have electronics in them(like computers, ipads etc). If the storm is really close I would unplug the mains lead from the van if you are on power.

Roll up your awning before the storm arrives

sit tight you should be ok inside the van

call 132500 for assistance from the SES or 000 if a life threatening emergency.

hope this helps, we have been through many storms some severe and the worst damage we have suffered is hail damage to the car and van which was fixed by insurance.

frank

KFT · Guru

Ozjohn, what about all the other stuff I like to drink(sip) not enough arms to carry all of it. that is why I stay with the van cause thats where the bar is.

Big Gorilla · Guru

The information given by KFT is quite sound. I would follow that advice.

carry1 · Veteran Member

Thanks everyone , what a great site the GN's is. Have had so much useful information given to us so much knowledge out there.
We have not got rubber on our stabiliser feet does that help with a lightning strike not earthing?

michael & rita

-- Edited by carry1 on Sunday 24th of February 2013 09:08:17 PM

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Interesting that theres been such widespread electrical storms , we had one last night too, along with 100mls rain.

When the wind starts to get up, roll your awning in even if theres no clouds in sight. Even a well tied down awning can flip up over the caravan in a strong wind. We saw the damage done to a neighbors van after they'd left their awning out and gone out for the day. A sudden wind came up, and was so strong it ripped the pegs out of the ground, they became missiles and did further damage. We arrived the next day, they were still trying to clean up, having trouble with their insurance company too. Dont know the outcome, but we learned "When in doubt, awning rolled in!"

Ditto what KFT says.

GaryKelly · Guru

Yep, I like the sound of KFT's advice. As to driving in a storm, I was in one where the rain was so heavy, visibility was almost zero. Scary stuff. I could barely see the white lines on the road. With hindsight, I should have pulled over before the storm and waited. Trying to outrun them is a mistake. Also pull well off the road, out of the way of cars behind you that might see you and think you're still on the road.

justcruisin01 · Guru

The very first thing to do is IF you have a wynnguard tv ant, wind it down flat as these are perfect strike points for lightning.

If you have a phone ant attached to the wynnguard then its even more likely for a strike.

I have not experienced this, & dont want to but I was told this info by a company owner that repairs vans & said they have had many vans with the roof & side wall blown off by lightning strikes to ant's.

JC.

Big Gorilla · Guru

I did mention this in an earlier post some months ago, but if you must drive in heavy rain, put your sun glasses on. Makes it very easy to see. You don't need polarised, I have a cheap pair and they work well...

ROWDYRABBIT1 · Senior Member

Also it could be a bloody long storm

Sue - Steve Gazel · Veteran Member

Hi all, I used to be up a 100 foot steel tower on fire lookout and had lightening all around, it never once struck the tower which is amazing seeing everything was made of steel. The tower was very well earthed, half inch by 2 inch cooper strips off each leg running out to a grid around the tower, you would think, that would be the perfect target but apparently it raises the resistance and there fore it's not a target. It strikes all around you, and that is where you can still be affected by the energy given off. It's like those footy player some time back the lightening struck somewhere in the stadium and they were knocked off their feet. When your numbers up?

Cheers

Delta18 · Guru

Big Gorilla wrote:
I did mention this in an earlier post some months ago, but if you must drive in heavy rain, put your sun glasses on. Makes it very easy to see. You don't need polarised, I have a cheap pair and they work well...

http://www.snopes.com/autos/techno/sunglasses.asp

This states that Polarised sunnies will help but non-polarised will only darken your feild of vision.

Big Gorilla · Guru

I have read Snopes on this subject previously. I can only relate my experiences and what works for me...

Plodnalong · Senior Member

The Faraday cage effect means that the electricity stays on the outside of the van skin unless you have things like aerials connected to inside appliances so do disconnect them. With thanks to the author Terry Pratchett under no circumstances should you stand on the van roof wearing wet copper armour while waving a sword and shouting "all gods are bastards!"