Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Lightening Strikes


This past weekend one person was killed and seven people were injured after being struck by lightening while trying to flee New Jersey beaches. Last week, I caught a glimpse of the news and a teen was talking about being struck by lightening at a Philadelphia pool. What's the deal with lightening lately? 

I grew up believing that lightening strikes were uncommon. But six in three days? And I'm only counting lightening strikes in New Jersey and Philly.  Is being struck by lightening really that uncommon? A close family friend of ours was struck during World War 2. While discussing lightening strikes in class, each student knew someone who was struck by lightening. So how uncommon are lightening strikes? 

According to this website, the odds of being struck by lightening in a given year are one in 400,000. And each person has a one in 5,000 chance of being struck by lightening in a lifetime. 

Do you know anyone or have you been struck by lightening? Are lightening strikes common in your hometown?  

Okay, thinking about lightening strikes is freaking me out. Check out this cute, calm, adorable puppy video. 



Pretty Tough Tuesday: The Summer Olympics begin in ten days. Yay!  Check out the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Softball schedule here

Have an amazing day everyone! :)

20 comments:

PJ Hoover said...

Hmmm. 1 in 5000 is higher than I would have thought.
It's weird there have been so many occurrences in such a short time. And so close to home. Yikes. Good choice with the puppy video.

Jessica Burkhart said...

Whoa, those are high odds. Eeek.

Dru said...

I met one person who was struck by lightening. He said it felt like a buzz going through your body.

Alyson Noel said...

Yup, I know two people who were struck-- only one of them lived and they had to go through a lot of rehab to re-learn basic skills.
Scary stuff.

Sheri Perl-Oshins said...

That is the CUTEST thing I have ever seen.

My girlfriend's father was struck by lightening twice and I think my grandfather was, or almost was. The window was cracked (opened slightly) and lighting came through and struck the mirror on the opposite wall.

BTW, my girlfriend's dad lived in PA and my Grandpa in Brooklyn

Meredith said...

That video was waay cute. And I do not like those odds. Which is why I stay inside suring lightning storms!

Anonymous said...

The weather has been so freaky the last couple of years!

Alea said...

If I remember correctly I knew someone that's friend was killed by lighting and i guess they were together when it happened.

Unknown said...

Never knew anyone to be struck by lightening. Ever.

...however, every time I think of it, I also think of that movie, Sweet Home Alabama... :)

Marianne Arkins said...

I want to hire that guy to sing to my dog...

Keri Mikulski said...

Hi, PJ! I know. I thought it was like one in a million or something. Thanks. :)

Hi, Jessica! I know. :)

Hi, Dru! Did he have an entrance and exit spot?? Weird.

Hi, Alyson! Yikes.. Two people.. How sad.

Hi, Sheri! Wow.. That's crazy. I couldn't resist the video. It's sooo cute. :)

Keri Mikulski said...

Hi, Meredith! I agree. :)

Hi, Tori! So true.. Weird stuff.

Hi, Alea! Yikes. That's terrible.

Hi, Beth! SHA? I'm such a movie novice and I actually saw that one... :)

Hi, Marianne! We're getting a puppy and I wonder if I can do it.. The dog will probably yipe or yell at me to stop like my daughter does. :)

Justin The Teen Librarian said...

Hello! Sorry to get off topic but...(your email didn't work again)

I had someone ask me if they could still come to the Writer’s Workshop even though you’re already a couple classes in. Should I tell them yes or no? I just wanted to leave it up to you since you’re in charge of the class and it may/may not be hard for someone to take part in the middle of things.

Alea said...

Keri- Thanks for entering my contest! I love the Jessica Darling series. I still need to read Fourth Comings though! I can't believe there is going to be a 5th! I swear I heard the 4th was going to be the last.

Keri Mikulski said...

Hi, Justin! No problem... I filled out the paperwork last night. We'd love to have her. :)

Hi, Alea! Great contest. I hope she writes 10. :)

Unknown said...

whoa, that lightning thing is scary! don't know anyone that's been struck, thank goodness!

Keri Mikulski said...

Hi, Virginia! I know.. It's crazy.. :)

Gabrielle said...

That's so weird!

Lightning safety is something to think about, as random as it is.

Yes, Sweet Home Alabama! If you watch the alternate ending, it's even more lightning-y (Ratatouille too.)

Lenore Appelhans said...

We were on a canoe trip and it started to storm so we wanted to wait it out on the bank of the river. Someone discovered that it was warmer in the water so we all went in and lightening struck the water! It was quite a shock - exactly like a buzz going through your body - and we all jumped out at the same time. The guy who refused to go in got a good laugh about it and no one was hurt.

Keri Mikulski said...

HI, Gabrielle! It was on USA last night and I watched it again. How did I forget that?? :)


Hi, Lenore! Wow.. That's crazy. I'm so glad you were okay.