In the United States, lightning kills 300 people and injures 80 on average, each year. All thunderstorms produce lightning and all have the potential for danger. Those dangers can include tornadoes, strong winds, hail, wildfires and flash flooding, which is responsible for more fatalities than any other thunderstorm-related hazard.
Lightning’s risk to individuals and property is increased because of its unpredictability, which emphasizes the importance of preparedness. It often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall. Most lightning deaths and injuries occur when people are caught outdoors in the summer months during the afternoon and evening.
What to do Before a Thunderstorm
What to do During and After a Thunderstorm
All information above is from the FEMA website.
For more information and resources on Thunderstorm Preparedness, please visit the web sites below.
US Department of Homeland Security – FEMA
http://www.fema.gov/
US National Weather Service – NOAA
http://www.weather.gov/
NOAA – Heat Index
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/heat/index.shtml
American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/
Ready Gov
http://www.ready.gov/
CDC – Center For Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/
