Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Jamaica, October 9, 2023 – Lightning activity is growing and efforts to increase data on lightning occurrences as well as lightning hazard awareness are being made by Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

The organization is working on implementing a multi-stakeholder and multi-level plan to help decrease the impact of lightning on people and industries such as aviation, telecommunication and maritime.

Acting Director General of ODPEM, Richard Thompson says Jamaica’s Meteorological Office wants to see to the development of a comprehensive National Lightning Program as well as a lightning detection network to receive better information regarding lighting occurrences for analysis purposes to facilitate the creation of a detailed program and plan for lightning protection and prevention.

The need for a lightning detection network comes as Jamaica, the director says, has not been doing much tracking. He expresses that while the country does have some data, especially from global meteorological agencies, it needs more information for lightning occurrences within its own borders.

Speaking at an Interview with JIS on October 8th, Thompson referred to some statistics regarding lightning impact within the island.

 He revealed that since 2001 and 2005 some tracking has been done and since 2005/2021, there have been 39 injuries and 18 deaths along with other impacts such as the most recent being the striking of seven people at a football match in St.Catherine last month.

Also, the director said most of Jamaica’s lightning activity happens from May or June to October, the hurricane season.

Thompson also spoke about global annual thunderstorm statistics and he said that there are roughly 16 million with about 3 billion lightning strikes hitting the ground and 20,000 strikes on people and 2,000 deaths. He added that from these strikes many would also be injured with issues such as cardiovascular, neurological, memory loss and severe burns.

Jamaica recently had its first lightning talk with ODPEM, the Meteorological Service as well as many industry partners that are impacted by the phenomena such as Bureau Standards,  JPS, Flow, Digicel, Port Authorities, airport authorities and local authorities to facilitate the discussion of the plan going forward. The director revealed this to Theodore Henry, the host of  JIS’ Get the FACTS on which Thompson was being interviewed.

In continuation he gave tips to affected industries and people to help reduce and prevent the effects of lightning.

For companies/industries, he said it is crucial to have built in lighting arrestors that are properly wired and grounded and for people, he specified farmers, some of the most affected, he said they should stay out of the rain especially if there is lightning. He also urged then not to shelter under trees or in open sheds; and also to move animals into a facility if one is available.

Additionally Thompson, emphasized that people stay out water when there is lighting as it’s one of the highest conductors and that they stay away from windows or doors and keep them close when inside.

In fact he spoke of a 30/30 rule where one must  watch for 30 seconds between strikes and if this happens, it is not safe. He added that if there is a 30 minute break since the last lighting, it is more than likely safe to return outdoors and or carry on like normal.

Thompson not only revealed the plans of ODPEM and other authorities. He also pointed to the behavior of lighting, highlighting how dangerous it can be.

He said lightning can strike 10 to 15 miles outside the radius of the cloud where it originated. In fact, it’s called “blue sky strike”