When the thunder roars, it's time to go indoors

Smoke Signals

By ALAN PERKINS Wednesday June 25, 2014 11:34 AM

Did you know that all thunderstorms produce lightning and lightning can strike as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall?

Many deaths from lightning occur ahead of the storm because people wait until the last minute before seeking shelter.

Last year, there were 23 fatalities directly attributed to lightning, according to data from the National Weather Service.

Hundreds more were struck and survived, suffering life-long injury and or permanent disability.

If you are outdoors and see lightning, move indoors to a completely enclosed building or into a hard-topped vehicle and close the windows.

Avoid being in or near high places and open fields, isolated trees, unprotected gazebos, car ports, pavilions, tents, shelters, baseball dugouts, flagpoles, light poles, metal or wood bleachers, metal fences, and water.

Don't hold on to metal items such as golf clubs, umbrellas or tools.

To determine how far a thunderstorm is from you, use the 30-30 Rule. When you see lightning, count the number of seconds that pass until you hear thunder. If you hear thunder within 30 seconds of seeing lightning, the storm is within six miles. Seek shelter immediately. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before leaving shelter.

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When the thunder roars, it's time to go indoors