Today, at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania, 10 fans were struck by lightning after the NASCAR race at the track had been called due to a thunderstorm that was moving through the area. One of those passed away later at a hospital. What is not mentioned is that there had been a severe thunderstorm warning in effect for the area for over 40 minutes prior to the lightning strike occurring. Here’s the warning below.
BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
412 PM EDT SUN AUG 5 2012
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOUNT HOLLY NJ HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…
NORTHERN BERKS COUNTY IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA…
LEHIGH COUNTY IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA…
THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF ALLENTOWN…
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA…
CARBON COUNTY IN NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA…
THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF LEHIGHTON…
MONROE COUNTY IN NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA…
THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF MOUNT POCONO...
* UNTIL 530 PM EDT
* AT 409 PM EDT…NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE
HAIL…AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THESE STORMS WERE
WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM NEAR WILKES-BARRE TO
CONYNGHAM TO TOWER CITY…AND MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR…
STRAUSSTOWN AND WEATHERLY AROUND 440 PM EDT…
ARROWHEAD LAKE AROUND 445 PM EDT…
BLAKESLEE AND NESQUEHONING AROUND 450 PM EDT…
LAKE HARMONY AND ALBRIGHTSVILLE AROUND 455 PM EDT…
TOBYHANNA…NEW MAHONING AND CHRISTMANS AROUND 500 PM EDT…
Blakeslee is just 2 miles give or take NW of the racetrack. The storm arrived a few minutes prior to the time listed. However the cars weren’t called into the pits and the race red flagged until it was raining somewhat heavily and lightning was striking all around the racetrack. Even the announcers on ESPN knew the storms were coming in the telecast for over 30 minutes that it was coming. The teams must have known the storm was severe, given many have and were shown in some cases looking at the approaching thunderstorms on the computer screens. Why was it however that the fans weren’t told until the storm was on top of them that the storm was severe. This is what needs to be fixed.
NASCAR and the racetrack need to warn unsuspecting fans of immediate danger at all times. Not everyone is going to be paying attention to their smart phones, blackberries and other devices with a race going on. The fans are there to see a race, not watch for impending weather. That should be NASCAR and or the tracks duty to the fans, to keep them up to date on anything that could risk their safety in the stands and the infield. An investigation is likely going to occur, but it’s too late for at least one family that has lost one of their own. It’s best to do something now before something like this happens again.