Right now
When thunder roars, go indoors.
Get inside a substantial building or a hard-topped vehicle with the windows closed. Do not shelter under trees, picnic shelters, or open structures.
Where you are right now
Your situation determines what you do
If you are outdoors
Get inside a substantial building immediately. A building with wiring and plumbing is safest because the electrical charge travels through those systems to ground. If no building is available, get inside a hard-topped vehicle with the windows closed. Do not shelter under trees, open pavilions, or picnic shelters.
If you are indoors
Stay away from windows. Do not use corded phones. Avoid contact with plumbing: do not shower, bathe, or wash dishes. Lightning can travel through water pipes. Stay off concrete floors and away from concrete walls, which may contain metal reinforcement. Stay off computers, televisions, and anything plugged into an outlet; lightning can travel through the electrical wiring the same way it travels through pipes. Do not unplug devices during the storm, since reaching for them puts you at risk. Cell phones and cordless phones are safe.
If you cannot get to shelter
There is no safe place outside during a thunderstorm. Keep moving toward the nearest substantial building or hard-topped vehicle rather than waiting it out. Avoid open fields and hilltops, and do not be the tallest object around. Stay away from isolated tall trees, poles, metal fences, and any water. Do not lie flat on the ground. If you are in a group, spread out so a single strike is less likely to injure everyone.
If someone is struck
Call 911 immediately. Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge; they are safe to touch. Begin CPR if the person is not breathing or has no pulse. Use an AED if available. Lightning strike victims who appear dead can often be resuscitated.
After the immediate danger
What to do next
Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder
Lightning can strike more than 10 miles from the storm, outside the rain. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck, so go indoors at the first rumble rather than waiting. Stay inside for 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back out.
Check for fires
Lightning strikes can start fires in buildings and surrounding areas. Check your property for signs of fire or smoldering after the storm passes.
Report downed lines
Lightning can bring down power lines and damage transformers. Stay far from any downed line and report it to your utility company or 911.
Sources: NWS Lightning Safety, Ready.gov Severe Weather, CDC Lightning Prevention, NOAA Weather Safety. All safety claims verified against primary sources. Last reviewed August 30, 2026.
This guide is not professional emergency management advice. It is a plain-language starting point for someone in an active hazard right now.