Rain and Lightening = No way!

[Monty]

Went out early yesterday morning to a large county park that sits high atop a hill where I had found some goodies on occasion. Just as I dug my first darn clad penny, I heard thunder in the distance. I didn't think much of it as scattered storms were forecast for the area. I continued on digging a little trash for about five minutes and then I heard a loud boom that shook the ground! I looked across a ten acre atheletic field in time to see the top of a big tree disentigrate in flying limbs, smoke and a flash of fire! I made a mad dash for the car, dove in head first detector and all and watched the tree smolder until the rain started and put out the fire. Several other bright flashes of lightening hit close by or at least it sounded that way, the thunder almost instantaneous and the ground shaking! After checking to see if I had soiled myself, I waited out the storm and got back to it after a wait of about 30 minutes. In just a few minutes I again heard another storm approaching and this time I didn't wait for it to get any closer! Into the car and headed for home was I! When I got home I turned on the news and saw where a giant unleaded gasoline storage tank had been set afire by the lightening just a few miles down the road from where I was hunting. It burned for several hours and finally was contained about 9:00 that night! The moral of the story? If you hear thunder, don't wait around to see if lightening it is going to kill you! Monty

 

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[Gabbit]

scary when lightning strikes that close. I had it strike about 10 feet away from me about 8 years ago. It scared the crap out of me -- had ringing in my ears for a week afterwords.

 

[neilo]

For nugget hunters, detecting straight after a rain and electrical storm is good. For some reason it makes the signals of nuggets stand out,must have something to do with electrifying the ground. I am with you guys if there is any hint of an elecrical storm coming my way and I am detecting I give up until the coast is clear. What ever good targets are in the ground are not going to go anywhere whilst the storm is on anyway. seeya Neilo

 

[LadyDigger]

Thank Goodness you were ok and got to safety. Me and Lightening...we just don't see eye to eye Had some close calls as a kid. I won't even stand at the window when lightening is flashing. Hubby says I am silly. I told him he would think different if he had been in the house when lightening came through our living room window and burnt the wood floor. Thank goodness Daddy was home!!! We were ok...but as kids, scared the crap out of us. And another time, we were taking a bath and heard a very loud boom and flash of blue. Next thing we see out the bathroom window was Daddy and all the neighbors running to the house directly behind us. Ligthening struck the chimney, burnt everything inside!!! Thank God the ppl who lived there had just left a few days prior for R&R in Germany. This was in Fayetteville, NC...we lived in Layefette Village, off of Hope Mills Road...and this was, I believe around 65-67 time frame...(trying to remember how old I was LOL).

So, don't mess with Mother Nature. I have heard stories on the news, where some kids were playing Soccer, I believe, a couple years ago. It was a clear bright blue sunny day where they were. Off in the distance was a storm. Lightening struck one of the Soccer players. It can travel a distance, even when you are in clear skies!!!

Happy Safe Hunting!!!

 

[BuckleBoy]

No kidding. Every year there is a metal detectorist struck by lightening and killed. Goodness, it's not like we're rock climbers! In the field, we each walk around holding what basically amounts to a lightening rod. And although I am in the hobby for the adrenaline too, when I hear lightening and thunder I pack up and resolve to come back after the storm.

 

[Nana40]

Oh my gosh Jim! Glad you're OK!

Here's a little story for ya to read.....

Several years ago my hubby and son went out and purchaced a boat. Got it home, and was planning a fishing trip for the same evening. Still had it hooked up to the truck and decided to charge the batteries. Hooked up the battery charger and the next thing you know a summer storm rolled in. Lightening struck the oak tree next to the truck...runs through the truck...blows out the tire....travels through to the boat...fries the electrical system....runs through the charger along the extension cord into the plug and into the house! Fries the phones, plugs, tv's and computers! What a mess....all from one lightening strike!

DO BE CAREFUL!

Nana

 

[hollowpointred]

lol! i know how you feel. i have had some shorts soiling expieriances with lightning myself! you did the right thing by getting in the car. a lot of people would run and stand under a tree!

 

[warthog steve]

Memorial Day weekend,I wsas out in the water-Heard thunder,thought with my 1280x,its all plastic-all righty then!!And then,the lightning started flyin on the other side of the lake...And,Im out in waist-deep water with a stainless-steel sand scoop!!! SO;OUT OF THE h20 I come-that was the WORST lightning storm Ive seen in a LONG TIME!!

 

[Nana40]

Sheesh. Did you blaspemy the Holy Ghost that day or something?

Cyn

NOOOOooooo Not Nana!