How far away can lightning strike from a thunderstorm?

Lightning can strike more than 3 miles from the center of a thunderstorm, often in areas where it is not even raining. If you hear thunder, you are within striking distance and should go indoors immediately.

How long should I wait after a thunderstorm before going back outside?

Wait at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder before going back outside. Many lightning injuries happen when people go out too soon, assuming the storm has passed because the rain has lightened or stopped.

Is it safe to shower or wash dishes during a thunderstorm?

No. Avoid all plumbing during a thunderstorm, including sinks, showers, and baths. Metal pipes and standing water can conduct electricity from a nearby lightning strike into your home's plumbing system.

What should I do if I am caught outside during a thunderstorm?

Get to a substantial building or a hard-topped vehicle with the windows up as fast as possible. If no shelter is available, get off elevated ground, move away from isolated tall trees and open water, and keep moving toward shelter. There is no safe place outdoors during a thunderstorm.

How much damage can severe thunderstorm winds and hail cause?

Severe thunderstorms can produce winds of 58 miles per hour or greater and hail 1 inch in diameter or larger, both capable of damaging roofs, siding, vehicles, and power lines. Trim weak tree limbs before storm season and pull over during large hail rather than continuing to drive.

Severe Thunderstorm Checklist — Before, During & After the Storm

Phase 1

Before the storm. Most severe thunderstorms give little warning.

Severe thunderstorms can develop in an hour and bring damaging wind, large hail, and lightning with almost no lead time. The preparation that matters happens before storm season, not during the warning.

Shelter Safety

Know the 30-minute rule: go indoors when thunder roars, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before heading back out

Home Protection

Trim trees and branches near your home and power lines before storm season

Power and Lighting

Get LED lanterns or flashlights for every main room. Candles cause fires when people move through dark spaces
Get a power bank for each phone in your household. A 10,000 mAh bank charges most phones 2 to 3 times
Keep spare batteries stocked and grouped by size for flashlights and radios
Put surge protectors on major electronics. Lightning can send damaging surges through the grid

Medical

Get a complete first aid kit and check expiration dates on adhesives and medications yearly

Documents and Insurance

Review your insurance policy and know your coverage limits and deductible
Make a photo or video walkthrough of your home and belongings, stored in the cloud

Communications

Turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts on every phone in your household
Get a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio for when cell service fails
Know the difference between a Watch (be ready) and a Warning (act now), and know your county name

Phase 2

During the storm. Get inside. Stay away from conductors.

There is no safe place outdoors once thunder is audible. If you hear it, the storm is close enough to strike you.

Sheltering from Lightning

Move to a substantial building or a hard-topped vehicle with the windows up. Sheds, porches, and open vehicles are not safe
Stay off corded phones, avoid plumbing including sinks and showers, and stay away from windows and doors
Avoid touching major electronics, a surge can travel through wiring even indoors
If caught outside with no shelter nearby, get off elevated ground and away from isolated tall trees and open water

Wind, Hail, and Flooding

Stay away from windows during hail. Flying glass causes injury even indoors
If driving in large hail, pull off the road and wait it out under an overpass or covered area rather than continuing on
Never drive through a flooded roadway. 6 inches of moving water can knock a person down
Keep monitoring your weather radio or phone alerts. Warnings can be issued and expire quickly

Phase 3

After the storm. Check for hazards before you clean up.

Most severe thunderstorm injuries after the fact come from downed lines, weakened trees, and standing water, not from the storm itself.

Immediate Safety

Wait until the storm has fully passed. Lightning can still strike after the rain stops
Stay at least 30 feet from any downed power line and treat it as live
Look for weakened or cracked tree limbs before working near or under them
Avoid standing water near your property until you know it is not energized by a fallen line

Recovery and Documentation

Photograph roof, siding, and property damage before moving or cleaning anything for your insurance claim
Contact your insurance company promptly to open a claim
Check on elderly neighbors and anyone who may need help clearing debris
Watch for water intrusion after roof or window damage. Mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours

Gear

Still need to get equipped? Start here.

A few items do most of the work in a severe thunderstorm. These are the ones worth having before the season starts.

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Severe Thunderstorm Checklist. Before, during, and after.