When Natalie Stevens shared a funny photo of her hair standing on end during a beach walk, she had no idea it was a warning sign of imminent danger. What seemed like a quirky moment turned out to be a terrifying brush with death.
Natalie posted the snap on Facebook, joking about her wild, static-filled hair while walking her dog on an overcast morning at La Rocque. She captioned it:
“My hair!! Dog walking at La Rocque around 07:30 felt a very tingly feeling in my head/forehead & hair going static for around 10/15 mins. Could hear the thunder on the French coast.”
What Natalie didn’t know was that her hair’s unusual behavior wasn’t just funny—it was a serious warning sign that lightning was about to strike. Members of the Jersey Weather Chat group quickly pointed this out.
One commenter didn’t mince words: “You were about two minutes away from dying or being severely hurt.” Another added: “When your hair stands on end, it’s a sign lightning is imminent. It’s time to get to safety immediately.”
Experts chimed in, explaining that the phenomenon occurs because of negative ions in the air colliding with positive ions from the ground. When they meet, lightning can strike—and the person with the static hair is often the target.
The U.S. National Weather Service confirms this, stating: “If your hair stands on end, lightning is about to strike you. Drop to your knees, bend forward, and avoid lying flat on the ground.”
Their advice doesn’t stop there:
- Avoid being the tallest object in the area, like on a hill or open beach.
- Steer clear of isolated trees, poles, or metal objects like umbrellas or golf clubs.
- Seek shelter in a sturdy building or an all-metal vehicle.
If caught outside during a storm, even small mistakes can be fatal. Lightning strikes kill an average of 43 people annually in the U.S., with survivors often left with severe disabilities.
Natalie later updated her post, writing, “I did start to get a little nervous and headed higher up the beach!” She even joked, “Goodness knows what it would’ve looked like if I hadn’t had my hair tied back! It was a really weird sensation.”
Thankfully, Natalie escaped unharmed, but her post serves as a chilling reminder: sometimes, nature’s warnings come in unexpected forms. Next time you feel your hair standing on end, don’t laugh—run for cover.
Have you ever experienced something like this? Share your stories in the comments and spread the word to keep others safe during storms!
