By Terry Tinkess
AgriNews Staff Writer
With unpredictable and severe weather seemingly a part of life now, paying more attention to environmental conditions is an important consideration, as two golfers at Ottawa’s Loch March Golf and Country Club found out on Mon., June 26.
Ottawa paramedics confirmed that they responded to a call of two men being hit by lightning at approximately 5:48 p.m. at a golf course on Old Carp Road in Ottawa’s west end. CTV news reported that they had confirmed the location to be Loch March Golf and Country Club.
The two adult males were found to have suffered what were described as critical injuries and were taken to hospital in life-threatening conditions.
Monday was a day of quickly changing weather conditions; weather warnings were issued, then downgraded, only to be followed by additional warnings later in the day. There were reports of power outages and some localized flooding, a result of heavy rain.
When you hear thunder, it is always advisable to seek shelter and wait a reasonable period after you last hear rumbling before resuming outdoor activities. Indoors does not just mean a roof over your head either. Carports, porches, and gazebos may keep you dry, but they do not offer protection from a lightning strike. An open golf cart is not a safe location, which is why it is important to head for shelter as soon as you hear thunder.
If you happen to see someone who has been a victim of a lightning strike, call 911 and if necessary, begin CPR.
With summer arriving last week, it is reasonable to expect that we will be seeing more hot, humid weather and the severe weather that happens as a result. Keep your eyes on the skies and make safety your priority.
