• Floods
• Hurricanes
• Tornadoes
• Thunderstorms and Lightning
• Ice
• Earthquakes
• Wildfires
• Winter Weather
• Hail
• Extreme Heat
• Landslides
• Blackouts
• Pandemic Flu

Thunderstorms and Lightning

Working on lightning safety with your family may help protect them during the next storm

Thunderstorms can occur anywhere and at any time. Lightning kills around 80 people each year and injures 500 more. That's more than the number of people killed annually by tornadoes and hurricanes combined!

Your home

Lightning can cause major damage to your property, so follow these thunderstorm safety tips to help keep your home intact:

• Remove dead or rotting trees that could fall on your house if it is struck by lightning
  
• Know the weather before beginning any trip or adventure and plan accordingly
  
• Put your whole house on a surge-protection system
  
• Unplug any appliances or electronic equipment before a thunderstorm threatens

Your safety

If a thunderstorm occurs, the first thing to know is the 30/30 lightning protection rule. When you see a flash of lightning, start counting. If you don't make it to 30 before hearing the thunder, go indoors. Then, stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last boom of thunder.

If you're inside when a storm hits:

• Seek shelter when you first see dark clouds or lightning or hear thunder.
  
• Avoid contact with corded phones, electrical equipment and plumbing. Don't wash your hands, take a shower, wash dishes or do laundry.
  
• Stay away from windows and doors.
  
• Don't use your cell phone during a thunderstorm.

If you're outdoors:

• Get inside a completely enclosed building immediately if one is accessible. Don't go into a carport, open garage or covered patio.
  
• If you can't find a completely enclosed building, get inside a hardtop, all-metal vehicle. Avoid leaning against vehicles. Get off bicycles and motorcycles.
  
• If no shelter is available, squat low to the ground. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them. Make yourself the smallest target possible.
  
• Get out of water and avoid metal. They both can carry an electrical current.
  
• If you're in a group of people, spread out.
  
• Take care of your pets. Doghouses aren't lightning-safe, and lightning can strike dogs tied to trees or other tall objects.
  
• If you're boating or swimming, get to shore right away.

This lightning safety information is meant to help you make decisions that may reduce your risk. Of course, we can't note every possible risk, and we can't guarantee that these tips will work for you. However, we hope that if you use some of them, you'll better protect your family and yourself.