Though the tendency can be to focus on tornadoes when preparing for thunderstorms, other hazards can pose just as dangerous of a threat. One of the easiest hazards to overlook is that of lightning.
Each year, lightning strikes the United States, on average, about 20 to 25 million times. While the majority of those strikes don’t cause any direct damage or long lasting consequences, the potential exists within each lightning strike to cause great harm or even death. An average of approximately 30 people die each year in the United States from lightning strikes.
The majority of lightning deaths and injuries come from people engaged in outdoor activities — things like swimming, golfing, fishing, or hiking. It is important to remember that there is no safe space outside from lightning — the only secure location is an enclosed building or in a vehicle.
It may not always be easy to tell how close you are to a storm and if you are within the threat area for a potential lightning strike. A good rule of thumb is that, if you can hear thunder, then you are close enough to a storm to be impacted by lightning, and you should seek appropriate shelter. Sometimes, however, especially as storms are first forming, you may not have any advance warning before lightning impacts your area. If skies appear threatening, it may be safest to pro-actively seek shelter.
If someone has been struck by lightning, they need immediate medical attention. Call 911 for rapid medical response. If it is safe to do so, move the victim to a safe location inside, away from the threat of another lightning strike or other hazards. Lightning often causes the heart to stop, so administering CPR may be needed until help arrives.
More information about lightning safety is provided by the National Weather Service.