Did You Know?
- Lightning is one of the top three storm-related killers in the United States. 10% of those struck by lightning die.
- Your chances of being struck by lightning are 1 in 500,000.
- Most lightning strikes occur in the summer months, particularly in July, during the afternoon and evening.
- It is safe to touch a lightning victim and administer first aid. Lightning victims are not electrified.
- “Heat lightning” is just lightning from a thunderstorm that is too far away to hear.
- Lighting can strike as far as 10 miles away from rainfall. Thunder is a better indicator of potential lightning than rain.
- Lightning CAN strike the same place twice. According to the National Weather Service, the Empire State Building is hit by lightning an average of 25 times per year.
The safest place to be during a thunderstorm is indoors. If outside during a thunderstorm, do NOT lie down or seek shelter under a tree. Try to get indoors. If you can’t, crouch down and tuck your head in with your hands over your ears. Crouching down is the best combination of staying low while making as little contact with the ground as possible.