DID YOU KNOW?
Lightning is hotter than the surface of the sun — reaching temperatures around 50,000°F. [2] That’s why even indirect strikes can cause severe injuries or death.
STAY INFORMED
- Each year in the U.S., lightning kills more people than tornadoes or hurricanes. [1]
- Lightning strikes the U.S. about 25 million times annually. Most occur in summer during thunderstorms. [2]
- On average, about 20 people die each year from lightning strikes. Hundreds more are seriously injured. [2]
- Most people are struck before or after a storm appears directly overhead, often because they underestimate the risk when skies appear only partly cloudy.
HELPFUL TIPS
1. If You Can Hear Thunder, You Are Within Striking Distance
- Seek shelter immediately. Even distant rumbles mean lightning is nearby. [1]
2. Shelter Indoors or in a Fully Enclosed Vehicle
- The safest places are inside buildings with wiring and plumbing, or fully enclosed metal vehicles (not convertibles or golf carts). [1]
3. Avoid Open Structures
- Do not shelter under beach shacks, picnic pavilions, or carports. These offer little protection against lightning. [2]
4. Stay Away from Conductive Surfaces
- Once indoors, avoid using wired electronics or plumbing. Stay off corded phones and don’t shower until the storm passes. [1]
WEATHER SAFETY REMINDER
Lightning may seem like a rare hazard, but it’s both deadly and preventable. If you hear thunder, take action immediately. One strike is all it takes.