Page 80 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch June 7, 2013 BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS • BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS • BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS • BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS • BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS • BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS GUARDING THE BEACH Billy’s Pizzas & Sub Shops 78TH STREET (BAYSIDE) 410-524-2020 140TH STREET (OCEANSIDE) 410-250-1778 120TH STREET (FOOD LION MALL) 410-723-2500 RTE. 54 (2 MILES FROM BEACH) 302-436-5661 Policies In Place For Storms OCEAN CITY – Lightning is ex- tality a year. In 2012, there were 28 deaths tremely dangerous, and the beach may be one of the worst places to due to lightning strikes as reported be during a lightning storm. The by NOAA. In 2013, there have been Ocean City Beach Patrol’s goal is to three to date. Many of these deaths make beachgoers aware of the dan- were near water, and the peak seagers of lightning, as well as, how the son for lightning has not even begun patrol operates to make the beach at this time. safe during a lightning storm. Furthermore, hundreds of people It often seems that vacationers are injured every year from lightning are more concerned with shark at- strikes. tacks than the possibility of a lightThe beach patrol has specific ning strike. However, in procedures it follows when reality, statistics show that thunder is heard or lightning the concern should be just is spotted. When one of our the opposite. lifeguards hears thunder, Maybe sharing these stathey immediately clear all tistics will help to illustrate swimmers from the water. how dangerous lightning is. The lifeguard then begins Florida’s Natural History warning people about the Museum estimates that impending danger of being someone has a one in near the water during an 80,000 chance of being faelectrical storm. tally struck by lightning RYAN COWDER Many scientists believe while the chance of someone being that if you can hear thunder you are victim to a fatal shark attack is one close enough to the storm to be in about 3.7 million. That means struck. That means if you hear thunlightning is nearly 50 times more der when you are on the beach, it dangerous than sharks. would be a good idea to begin to The National Oceanic and At- pack up your belongings and head mospheric Administration (NOAA) indoors. estimates that lightning kills 54 peoOnce lightning is spotted, the ple a year in the U.S. Shark fatalibeach is cleared immediately. At ties would average less than one fathis point, our guards are told to take their own safety into account, clear the beach of all patrons and take cover. Another statistic to consider is that NOAA estimates that 25 percent of fatal lightning strikes happen near water. That is why our guards take the action of getting people off the beach during a storm so seriously. Generally, people can expect to wait 30 minutes after each rumble of thunder or visual of lightning before guards will begin allowing people back onto the beach. The bottom line is that during any type of storm with thunder or lightning, people should stop all activities immediately and take cover indoors. Do not take time to pack up your belongings, close umbrellas and lay them down and take any valuables with you as you quickly exit the beach for you and your family’s safety. We have had several documented lightning strikes on the Ocean City beaches including one of our stands after the SRT had taken cover. Unfortunately, we have also experienced several fatalities on our beaches from lightning strikes, even after warning the people to leave the beach. NOAA continues to promote a slogan that is easy to remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!” It really is the only safe place. – Ryan Cowder Special To The Dispatch (The writer has been with the Beach Patrol for 15 years and is currently a sergeant. He is an assistant principal at Stephen Decatur High School.) OPEN YEAR ROUND 11 A.M. EAT IN # CARRY OUT # FAST, FRIENDLY DELIVERY ✗☛✌✠✖¤☛✑❙✤’✛¤✕✗✛❙¤✍✠✕✗✜✛ ✛✜✡¤✛✏✗✘¤✛✑✖☛✌¤❃❋❇❋ # Fresh Baked Philly Rolls # # Meats, Cheeses, Vegetables Sliced Fresh Daily # # Fresh Dough Pizza # Cones, Shakes & Sundaes That Won’t Cost You A Small Fortune! ✢✌¤✌✔✑❚✌✚¤❙✗¤❙✏✌¤✡✌✠☛✏❑¤❙✏✌¤✘✠✚❑¤ ✠✔✔¤✗✍¤✗☛✌✠✖¤☛✑❙✤❑¤✍✌✖✢✑☛¤❂¤✢✌✛❙¤✍✌✖✢✑☛❀ 410-250-1778 BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS • BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS