Lightning Storm Safety

[Rob in MT]

We recently were camped on a high point at Makoshika State Park when a pretty intense lighning storm passed over in the middle of the night. While we enjoyed the light show, we were a bit concerned how safe these campers are in a lightning storm, not from wind, but strikes.

From what I've been able to glean online, they are not very safe. Beyond, when it's your time to go, anyone know the safety facts? Thanks for your help.

 

[MarkBC]

I don't know anything about it...but why wouldn't they be as safe as being in a car, since -- like a car -- they're insulated from the ground by the tires, so aren't a preferred path-to-ground for lightning?
Or is it a myth that cars are relatively safe?

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

Im not sure how safe the camper would be against lightening ?

Over the years I have only heard of one camper being struck by lightening.

(but there has to be more cases of this out there)

I don't know if the owner was in the camper at the time, or not ??

I think she was, but can't remember what she said ??

Her aux. camper battery fried and somewhat melted.

She brought the camper in to have us check out the electrical systems and replace the camper battery.

Off she went again into the sunset never to be heard from again.


.


.

 

[Lighthawk]

I don't know anything about it...but why wouldn't they be as safe as being in a car, since -- like a car -- they're insulated from the ground by the tires, so aren't a preferred path-to-ground for lightning?
Or is it a myth that cars are relatively safe?

I would wonder about my gray water hose & bucket or rear metal steps becoming the path of least resistance.

 

[highz]

If it weren't for the gap in the aluminum frame caused by the pop-up fabric, I believe our campers would make an okay Faraday cage. Since there's that gap, personally, I would get in the truck cab to wait out the storm (until the strikes are at least 8 or 10 miles away). You want to be surrounded by metal, and the truck cab would make a decent shelter. Just don't touch the metal skin during a strike...

In our lightning safety class we are told that if you can't get in a safe building, get in your car or truck.

 

[craig333]

I think our campers would be pretty safe. When I worked for CDF, the worst case scenario, caught out in the open, kneel down hands and feet only, keep as little of your body in contact with the ground as possible. Its scary stuff, lightning kills more people every year than umm, lots of other stuff (too late to google it up).