Weather Concerns: hail, lightning, floods

Japan has some crazy weather. We were in the middle of something like "War of the Worlds" a few years back when three bolts of lightning hit within a few meters of each other. One hit the roof of the barn, one hit the corner of the neighbors house, and one hit the rain dripping off the roof. The bolt charged the water that lipped up into an outdoor plug sending a charge of electricity strong enough to melt the inside of the computer (as welll as the surge protector plug), the TV, the DVD deck, blow out the oven and cook the phone and fax machine. While insurance would pay for the structural damages, they would not pay for the personal belongings and warranties also do not cover "acts of god".

Nature deserves our respect!

With the hot summers come severe storms. Hail and lightning are dangerous and if you haven't lived in the midwestern US, you haven't experienced it. Tips:

• do not continue playing golf (more golfers die in Japan....)
• do not run water during a thunder storm (the charge from lighting will travel in moving water, not still water)
• stay indoors if possible
• unplug valuable electronics, just to be safe
• stay off the phone/cell phone and headsets
• stay away from windows
• if you are caught outdoors, squat to the ground and become small by tucking your arms and legs together, stay away from poles, metal or tall objects
• turn off any appliances or electrical tools you are using

If someone is hit by lightning, call 119 and give your location. If you know first aid, you can use it, the injured person does not carry an electrical charge.