WEATHER HAZARD SAFETY Compiled by Suz Trusty
High-impact weather hazards, from thunderstorms, derechos, tornadoes, and hurricanes to flash flooding, extreme heat or cold, to blizzards, can wreak havoc on organizations if they are not prepared. In addition, the fires, flooding, mudslides, and other related hazards sparked by that weather have wide-reaching impacts that businesses must address. Tere are resources available to monitor these pending weather events and issue alerts when conditions are threatening.
The National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Te National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is an agency that enriches life through science. NOAA states, “Our reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as we work to keep the public informed of the changing environment around them. From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration, and supporting marine commerce, NOAA’s products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product. NOAA’s dedicated scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers, and other decision-makers with reliable information they need, when they need it.”
NOAA’s National Weather Service’s mission is to provide weather, water, and climate data, forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. NWS has played a key role in protecting American lives and properties for over a century. Te NWS mission is a “Weather-Ready Nation,” a society that is prepared for and responds to weather, water, and climate-dependent events.
NOAA’s National Weather Service is the source of the three-month climate predictions, issuing the seasonal temperature outlook and the seasonal precipitation outlook maps featured in every issue of Turf News. In addition, NOAA teams with other governmental agencies to provide safety guidelines for hazardous weather conditions. As an example of the scope of those services, we’re focusing on one of the more frequent threats—lightning.
Lightning Impacts
Lightning is a dangerous natural force. In the United States, lightning is a significant weather hazard striking the ground over 200 million times (over 2 billion times globally) in 2024. On average, lightning causes 20-30 fatalities and over 200 injuries annually in the U.S. Globally, the toll is even larger, with some estimates of more than 10,000 lives lost each year due to lightning.
A typical lightning bolt carries around 300 million volts and 30,000 amps of electricity, making it extremely powerful compared to household current, which is around 120 volts and 15 amps; essentially, an average lightning bolt packs a punch of about 1 billion joules of energy.
Lightning strikes have a substantial economic impact, causing an estimated $1 billion in total economic loss each year in the U.S. due to property damage, forest fire spread, and infrastructure disruptions. Lightning-related fires, electrical surges, and damage to infrastructure, such as power lines and buildings, contribute significantly to these costs (U.S. Fire Administration, 2020).
Te agricultural sector bears a considerable share of the financial burden, with lightning-induced wildfires and damage to crops and livestock leading to losses that extend beyond the immediate destruction (National Interagency Fire Center, 2021).
Additionally, power outages resulting from lightning strikes disrupt businesses, leading to economic losses in productivity. Te cost to insurance companies also rises, driving up premiums for affected homeowners and businesses (Insurance Information Institute, 2020).
Lightning Safety When Working
Outdoors Lightning strikes can severely injure or kill workers whose jobs involve working outdoors. Lightning is often overlooked as an occupational hazard, but employers need awareness about lightning hazards to ensure their workers’ safety. A “Lightning Safety When Working Outdoors” fact sheet provides employers and workers at outdoor worksites with lightning safety recommendations from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Tat fact sheet is available at the link that follows.
https://weather.gov/media/owlie/OSHA_FS-3863_ Lightning_Safety_05-2016.pdf
42 TPI Turf News March/April 2025
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