(no subject)

DUDE, a bolt of lightning just hit the National Weather Center! My cubicle doesn't have windows, so all I heard was a fairly loud crash. It startled me a little bit, but I just moved on and got back to work. Then about ten seconds later, the sirens started going off in the building with the computerized voice that says "Attention. An emergency has been reported in the building. Please evacuate to the nearest stairwell immediately." When I got outside (yes, let's evacuate everyone outdoors when lightning is the emergency! Way to go meteorologists!) I ran into one of my advisors. Her office window faces where the lightning hit and it startled the hell out of her. Anyway, we had to wait around for awhile so that the firemen and police could check everything out and give the all clear. The lightning apparently hit out in the NSSL courtyard area where they keep all the mobile radar trucks and other electronics. The cops and firemen were checking out an electronics storage shed in particular, but I think everything was ok.

P.S. It's Lightning Awareness Week. Lightning hits a building full of meteorologists during Lightning Awareness Week. Oh the irony.