THE TUMBLER TIMES - PAGE 6 EDITION #7

APRIL SHOWERS: MAY FLOWERS

by Weatherman Jack
With the coming of showers there TUMBLER RiDGE

READY M1 xX

are the inevitable clouds and thunder
storms. Many people are awed, mysti-
fied, and even afraid of lightning.
We are often afraid of what we do

not know or understand....so I shall
try to shed some 'lightning' on the
subject.

Lightning is the discharge caused

when two oppositely charged areas
meet. The positive charge is drawn

to the negative charge and the result
is a rapid exchange of electrons
causing bright light, heat and sound.
Discharge between clouds and earth
starts slowly....at 200 kilometers per
second. Little 'fingers! of lightning
reach downward while similar fingers
reach upwards from the ground. When
two fingers meet, a channel is formed
and the cloud and earth exchange
electricity at the rate of 40,000 km
per second - for several: seconds. The Fair Competition

resulting extreme rise in temperature

expands the air which causes an weil keep

impact on our ears...so we hear the ° Hy 4;
lightning several seconds after we Concrete Prices onesev.
see it.

Contact Gil, Plant Manager,

After you see a lightning bolt, count Tumblrr Ridge Ready Mix: p |
normally and that will tell you wos
roughly how far away the lightning Acaute a. fage at Quadra ampe

ZHL > ¥20Z.

bolt struck (in miles).

There is really only one kind of
lightning and that is bolt, or streak,
or fork or chain. (All used to describe TUMBLER RIDGE POLLING STATIONS
the same thing. Sheet (or heat)

lightning is the diffusely reflected Advanced polls will be open April 28, 29
light from streak lightning invisible and 30 from 1:00 = 9:00 p.m. These polls
to the observer. will be situated at the Community Centre. b=

How long is a lightning bolt?-It is any- May 5, Election Day, polls will be open
where from 100 meters to 20 kilometers. from 1:00 = 9:00 p.m. The following is a

list of polling stations in the Tumbler
Some facts and tips: 500 people every Ridge area: |
year are struck by lightning - most

fatally. 1300 others are injured 1,000 man camp = QCL = Plant
indirectly. Some $20 million damage 210 man camp = QCL
is done yearly. If you are outdoors 350 man camp = QCL McConkey Complex |
in a lightning/rain storm seek shelter 420 man camp - Teck/Bullmoose Plant
in a cave, under a cliff or in a Edco Construction Commonwealth Teck
canyon. Avoid open spaces, solitary Loadout
trees, high trees, the edge of the 100 man camp - QCL
woods, wire fences, metal buildings, 80 man camp
electrical outlets, and so on. 60 man BCR Wolverine
Oh yes...lightning does strike in the v Et hae Wolverine Terminal
same place more than once. orta

P J ‘ 7 Atkinson Commonwealth Tunnel Table
And now for the good news. Your chances East Wolverine - West Portal
of being struck by lightning are Tumbler Ridge Community Centre
350,000 to 1 - and being struck by a : y
car is 50 times greater than that} Please vote at the polling station nearest
WX Jack to you.

Judy Gormley