Lighting Storms and Vandwelling safety

[Tomcor]

I am here in Mesquite Nv. We are having a large lighting storm right now. Normal for this time of year. I am safely inside a condo. But starting Sept 7 I will going full time van dwelling. I will be mostly boondocking in either the high desert or wooded high mountain areas.

What would the best safety tips for dealing with Lighting stroms while boondocking?
I have spent plently of time outdoors camping. Just wanted your thoughts on lighting safety.
And has anybody had bad experiences with storms in your travels?

 

[WriterMs]

I lived in Mesquite on and off for a few years (ex's winter home in Sun City). Loved the area but hated how uptight that town is (for example, if a plant dies in your landscaping, you must replace it within two weeks with exactly the same type of plant... in most of the homeowners' association rules).

I hope you are enjoying it more than I did. There are tons of wonderful day trips in the area for sure!!!

My rig is an extended van with a very tall fiberglass roof. I always felt safe from lightning since I was on rubber tires. (I'm not sure I want to be corrected if that thinking is wrong. LOL)

What I DID do when camping in the forest is to check overhead for any widow-maker loose limbs. Strong winds with those storms were a concern, but I never had a mishap.

 

[highdesertranger]

I have seen ground strikes some within 100 yards, I have seen trees and bushes explode and light on fire. but me, my camp, and vehicle have never been hit. lightning is hard to predict, the safest place to be is inside your vehicle, so I have been told. what you need to watch for during this time of year in the high desert during these storms is flash floods. stay out of washes the storm could be 10 miles away in the mountains and the flood could come right down the wash where you are camped in. might never even sprinkle where you are at. highdesertranger

 

[Tomcor]

I plan on heading to Utah first. Then Colorado NM and end up in AZ in Jan for the RTR.
I have lived in Mesquite for 8 years. Not much here but casinos. I was born in Vegas so casinos don't interest me.

 

[ggwoman]

I was camped at McConaughy Lake in Nebraska a couple weeks back and was in a wingding of a lightning storm like I've NEVER experienced. The closest analogy I can give was that it was like being right in the center of the grand finale of a gigantic 4th of July fireworks display, absolutely nonstop for an hour at least. I was off grid, but would make sure to unplug if I was on grid and something like that happens again. It was Awesome!! truly awesome. I still can't believe it. LOL You just go with it and feel fucking glad to be alive to witness something like that.

 

[gcal]

Don't know about the fibreglass tops, but a regular van should act as a Faraday cage, should it not? Just don't touch the metal sides and don't park in areas prone to flooding.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

You have a way higher chance of being injured or killed driving down the road than you do being hit by lightening so I wouldn't worry about it too much. Same common sense you'd use in a sticks and bricks should be all you need. Your vehicle is grounded through it's tires so as long as you don't touch the metal parts of the vehicle during a storm you should be fine. And of course no standing outside in open areas and absolutely no flying kites!

 

[MrNoodly]

Relocate away from trees that might fall on you.

 

[TrainChaser]

Tips that I've picked up over the years:

* In the U.S., around a hundred people a year are killed by lightning, and hundred more are seriously injured by it... most them are male (go figure!)
* There is no safe place outside.
* Don't be the tallest thing around; don't park on the top of a hill, near a single tree or a tall tree, a tall pole, near a metal fence or power line, or in an open field.
* Stay away from water, wet items like ropes, and metal objects, such as fences and poles.
* It's not the rubber tires that protect you in a vehicle, it's the Faraday-Cage effect of being in a metal box.
* If you can hear thunder, you are within lightning-strike distance; lighting can travel more than 15 MILES from its origin.
* Stay away from water, wet items like ropes, and metal objects, which are excellent conductors.
* Lightning can travel sideways.
* A substantial building with underground plumbing is reasonably secure. .
* Lightning can travel through the ground and jump from nearby objects.
* Unplug everything, and don't use corded phones (cell phones are safe if you're in a safe building).
* Stay out of sinks, tubs and showers.
* Lightning can damage ignition systems.
* Don't touch the walls, doors, windows or plumbing.
* Small sheds, rain shelters, tents and convertibles aren't safe.
* Don't hold a pole or golf club in the air.
* If you have teenage boys, watch them closely or tie them down... unless they're heavily insured.

 

[highdesertranger]

great list train chaser, the last item mad me chuckle. highdesertranger

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Have to wonder about the safety of a van with a fiberglass high-top.  I would think that would completely disrupt the Faraday Cage effect.

 

[DannyB1954]

I think you are pretty safe in a vehicle. If lightning has you frightened, you could take proactive measures to try to prevent it in your immediate area.
They make lightning rods that look like porcupines. Instead of attracting the lightning they dissipate the ionization buildup and form a protective shield in the area. http://www.davisrf.com/lightning.php
http://w4zt.com/porcupine/
The theory about them is lightning is caused by a major difference in electrical polarity. If you could reduce this difference a strike will be less likely. The fine points
of this porcupine rod are supposed to reduce the electrical differences.
They are easy enough to make, and can be set up and grounded in a hurry. Maybe use a wire brush. I think they retail for about $30.

 

[RVTravel]

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/

 

[TrainChaser]

Optimistic Paranoid:  "Have to wonder about the safety of a van with a fiberglass high-top.  I would think that would completely disrupt the Faraday Cage effect."

From the NOAA site that RVTravel provided:  "Most cars are safe from lightning, but it is the metal roof and metal sides that protect you, NOT the rubber tires. Remember, convertibles, motorcycles, bicycles, open-shelled outdoor recreational vehicles and cars with fiberglass shells offer no protection from lightning. When lightning strikes a vehicle, it goes through the metal frame into the ground."

And that still doesn't answer the question, does it?  Have a metal ladder rack on the top?

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

About like I expected.

I imagine the same thing is true of pickups with fiberglass camper shells (or homemade wooden shells) as well.  Probably not safe to be sleeping in then back of one in a lightning storm.

 

[bLEEp]

So the lightning will actually penetrate the fiberglass high top and not be attracted to the remainder of the metal box we are sitting in? That does not make a lot of sense, but I'm not a meteorologist nor electrician.

 

[gcal]

Maybe customers should start asking for fibreglass van tops with steel reinforcing that is attached to the metal sides. If we want to buy it, someone will make it.

 

[RVTravel]

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/cars.shtml

This states lightning mostly will either strike the antenna or along roofline.

http://www.motorhome.com/rv-how-to/dont-get-zapped/

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

So the lightning will actually penetrate the fiberglass high top and not be attracted to the remainder of the metal box we are sitting in?  That does not make a lot of sense, but I'm not a meteorologist nor electrician.

Not an expert either, but my limited understanding is that Faraday cages must wrap completely around you in all directions.  If any area is open, they don't function as a Faraday cage.

 

[highdesertranger]

that was my understanding too OP. highdesertranger