Did you know that typical thunderstorm lasts about 20 to 30 minutes and has a diameter of fifteen miles? Severe thunderstorms can be accompanied by a range of dangerous conditions, including high winds, hail, and tornadoes. Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which can strike up to ten miles away from any rainfall, and often strikes outside of areas where heavy rain is falling. As a matter of fact, the National Weather Service estimates that more than 50 percent of lightning deaths happen after the thunderstorm has passed.
Make sure you're prepared for severe thunderstorms by picking a safe spot in your home - try to choose a room that does not have skylights, windows, or glass doors which could be broken by high winds or hail. Try to designate your "safe spot" on the lowest floor or your home or building, in case a thunderstorm is accompanied by tornado warnings. During severe storms, it's best to avoid telephones and electrical appliances, which can transmit electricity through wires; bathtubs, water faucets, and sinks can also transmit electricity through metal pipes.
(Sources: Talking About Disaster: Guide for Standard Messages. Produced by the National Disaster Education Coalition, Washington, DC, 2004.)
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Please take thunderstorm warnings seriously. A friend's daughter died after being struck by lightning during a family cook-out. They could faintly hear thunder in the distance and the sun was shining. I'd rather have somebody tell me I'm being overly cautious than plan a funeral.
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