Yet Another Impact of Storm Season

 While I write this column, I listen to the sounds of tree professionals who yet again visit to recover a sense of stability after impact of another severe storm.

Whether through instant messaging or imagery, Greater Richmond Area (GRA) residents seek to be aware of their area’s natural weather cycles. At one time, there was a margarine advertisement in which Mother Nature announced her displeasure for being fooled into thinking a product was real butter. Waving her arms, black clouds swirled, thunder bellowed and lightning slithered through the sky. In anger, she says, “It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.”

Reminded of this advertisement, I observe lightning streak through the sky. And in fact, I recall having watched, a more than 100-year old oak literally glow as if lighted and for a number of seconds, shook from its leaf tips to roots. Bark, peeled in strips, hung rope-like throughout the tree and pieces were scattered for 50 or more feet. This was an experience which revealed to me the reasons why we need to cautiously seek out shelter during electrical storms.

On another occasion, I experienced a similar yet less dramatic event. Hearing distant thunder, I ran outside to pick up and put away scattered gardening tools. Everything went as expected until I touched a metal trap door. Then, after a few seconds, stunned, I realized I was sitting on the ground a few feet from this door. The combination of holding metal tools in my hand and touching a metal door had create a circuit for the electricity charged air.

If you were faced with this situation, what would you do? Don’t do as I did and run outside to deal with trivial items. There is no garden tool, ornament or any other item worth your life. Instead, find shelter in a car or building. Avoid telephone lines, metal pipes or in my case, metal gardening tools.

If aware of a pending storm, unplug appliances. Avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliance. And, because water is also a conductor, don’t take a bath or shower, or run water for any other purpose. If you get caught outside and are for example, in the woods, take shelter in brush-like trees or shrubs. If you are boating or swimming, immediately get to land and find shelter. Limit exposure by seeking out a low-lying, open place away from trees, poles or metal objects. At the same time, make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding. The goal is to make yourself as small a target as possible; so, squat low to the ground. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them. Do not lie flat on the ground because lying flat can make you a larger target.

According to meteorological experts at the National Weather Channel, the best ally for dealing with severe weather situations is accurate, timely information. So, become informed of evacuation plans and the location of shelters and then, keep a copy of area guidelines in an easily accessible place such as a phone book.

Although it may sound somewhat insignificant, be aware lightning can occur when it’s not raining; and, while most of us are concerned about tornado warnings, straight-line winds of a thunderstorm can exceed 100 mph and are recognized to be more damaging than most tornados. So, while there is the pro that thunder-storms provide optimal natural rain cycles for planting, these storms should be greeted with caution. It may seem harmless to run outside and retrieve garden tools left lying on the ground; but, be warned this could be the last activity of your life. Why?

I, similar to other GRA residents, recall the impact of hurricane Isabel, a storm which killed 32 people in the state and turned 100 Virginia localities into disaster areas. This storm destroyed or damaged more than 10,000 homes and almost 1,500 businesses and left nearly 80 percent of the state's population without power.

 

Then, a tropical storm Gaston dump more than a foot of rain on parts of Richmond. Runoff racing through the Shockoe Valley left GRA’s historic Shockoe Bottom under 12 feet of water. Eight people across the area died — four in Richmond, two in Hanover County, one in Chesterfield County and one in Dinwiddie County.

Next, during the winter of 2010, back to back blizzard conditions paralyzed 21st century life-styles; and then, hurricane Irene left Virginians without power for days. For many, the days after without electricity were those most vivid; but, I believe the most impressionable memory is the loss of the GRA’s urban woodland, the destruction of its 100-year oaks which lined historic streets.

So, hear me when I say it is not a good idea to ignore the force of nature. For it’s not only not nice to fool Mother Nature, it’s not wise to fool-around with her either.