Scared yet?

[tp41190]

I was at SFGAm last year during a severe thunderstorm. It was actually one in the picture below. We were on Viper and they started the spiel about "certain weather conditions prevent Viper from running, ect, ect". And my sister was freaking out and she didnt want to ride. Then as the ride pulled into the station the park was now pitch black (it was only about 6pm in June). All the park lights went on, it was getting windy it was kind of scary. Then as we are walking down the Viper exit we saw the train stuck on the lift, with people, and the storm was coming in.

I got my sister to go on River Rocker because all the coasters were closed. Then as were are on the ride, it started to down pour and there was lighting right above the park. You could tell because you would see a HUGE bolt stretch across the park and instantly you would hear thunder. My sister was now really freaked out and I told her "yeah, they know what there doing". Then the op was like "River Rocker is now a water ride" as we were getting soaked. Then when the ride was over, someone came up to the Op and yelled at him, I think it was for not stopping the ride or something. After that, we just rode Chabasco and played DDR till the storm lifted. Even though the coasters werent open, we rode River Rocker and Triple Play till the park closed.

Heres a Pic from River Rocker during the storm...

Its sideways and taken with my phone but you can see how have of the park was bright and sunny, and this huge storm came rolling in. Look at Raging Bull glow.

[rasslin]

Ground or no, it would take a month to pick up all the little green apples I would drop when that lightning bolt hit the ride I was on!

[FParker185]

you and me both

Theory and mathematics prove that riders or people standing on the structure would be safe (save for a direct hit to a person), it's sorta like a farraday cage. But I'll take a pass on proving it in reality.

Though I was actually on Dueling Dragons when it was hit by lightning, didnt know it at the time though, when we got back to the station, they shut down the ride and the said the ride took a direct hit. I guess I'm still alive, if I had actually seen it hit (besides just a super bright flash and crazy loud thunder), yeah, they'd probably have some cleanup to take care of, as would I

[rasslin]

Being hit by lightning really isn't at the top of my wish list. But if I were hit by lightning I guess I'd die at my favorite place. Great America.
Still, I can't say enough about the bravery and dedication of those employee's I saw who weathered the storm atop those water slides.
In all honesty an employee who has some fear of the rides is probably a good thing. People are less likely to screw around or take unnecessary risks if there's an imminent/inherent danger nearby. They say in the service that fear doesn't cause mistakes, lack of fear causes mistakes. But of course they also paid $6500 for a toilet seat, so.............