• Keep an eye on the sky. Look for darkening skies, flashes of light, or increasing wind. Listen for the sound of thunder. 
• If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately. 
• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for the latest weather forecasts

When a Storm Approaches

• Find shelter in a building or car. Keep car windows closed and avoid convertibles. 
• Telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity.  unplug appliances, Avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances. (Leaving electric lights on, however, does not increase the chances of your home being struck by lightning.) 
• Avoid taking a bath or shower, or running water for any other purpose. 
• Turn off the air conditioner. Power surges from  lightning can overload the compressor, resulting in a costly repair job.
• Draw blinds and shades over windows. If a window breaks due to objects blown by the wind, the shades will prevent glass from shattering into your home.

If you are outdoors:

• Attempt to get into a building or a hardtop car and keep the windows closed. 
• If no structure is available, as quickly as possible go to an open space and squat low to the ground. If in the woods, find an area protected by a low clump of trees; never stand beneath a singer large tree in the open. Be aware of the potential for flooding in low-lying areas. 
• Kneel or crouch with hands on knees. 
• Avoid tall structures, such as towers, tall trees, fences, telephone lines, or power lines. 
• Stay away from natural lightning rods, such as golf clubs, tractors, fishing rods, bicycles, or camping equipment. 
• Stay away from rivers, lakes or other bodies of water. 
• If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter immediately. 
• If you are isolated in a level field and feel your hair stand on end, which indicates that lightning is about to strike, drop your your knees and bend forward, putting your hands on your knees. Do not lie flat on the ground.

If you are in a vehicle: 

• Pull safely onto the shoulder of the road, away from any trees that could fall on the vehicle.
• If flash flooding is possible, go to higher ground. 
• Stay in the vehicle and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rains subside. If flash flooding is possible, abandon the vehicle and climb to higher ground. 
• Avoid flooded roadways.

If you are indoors: 

• Secure outdoor objects, such as lawn furniture, that could blow away or cause damage or injury. 
• Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for the latest storm information.
• Do not handle any electrical equipment or telephones, because lightning could follow the wire. Television sets are particularly dangerous at this time. Use telephones ONLY in an emergency. 
• Do not take a bath or shower. Metal pipes can transmit electricity. 
• Turn off air conditioners. Power surges from lightning can overload the compressors.

If Someone is Struck by Lightning

• People struck by lightning carry no electrical charge and can be handled safely. 
• Call for help.  Get someone to dial 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Medical Services number. 
• The injured person has received an electric shock and may be burned, both where they were struck and where the electricity left the body. Check for burns in both places. Being struck by lightning can also cause nervous system damage, broken bones, and loss of hearing or eyesight. 
• Give first aid. If breathing has stopped, begin rescue breathing.  If the heart has stopped beating, a trained person should give CPR.  If the person has a pulse and is breathing, look for and care for other possible injuries.  

Return to Natural Disasters