Right now
Get inside a sturdy building.
Lightning, damaging wind, and hail can injure or kill. When thunder roars, go indoors. Stay away from windows.
Where you are right now
Your situation determines what you do
If you are outdoors
Get inside a sturdy building immediately. A substantial building with wiring and plumbing provides the best protection. If no building is available, get inside a hard-topped vehicle with the windows closed. Do not shelter under isolated trees, picnic shelters, or open structures.
If you are indoors
Stay inside and away from windows, skylights, and glass doors. Do not use corded phones. Avoid contact with plumbing: do not shower, wash dishes, or wash hands during a thunderstorm. Lightning can travel through pipes. If damaging winds or large hail are possible, move to an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows and skylights. Stay off computers, televisions, and anything plugged into an outlet, since lightning can also travel through the wiring.
If you are driving
Pull over safely. Stay in the vehicle with windows closed. Do not touch metal surfaces inside the vehicle. Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before resuming travel. If hail begins, stay in the vehicle and do not get out. Turn your face and body away from the windows and cover your head with your arms, a coat, or a blanket, in case the glass breaks.
If someone is struck by lightning
Call 911 immediately. Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge and are safe to touch. Begin CPR if the person is not breathing. A person struck by lightning needs immediate medical attention.
After the immediate danger
What to do next
Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder
Lightning can strike from 10 miles away. The 30-minute rule is the standard: wait 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder before going back outside.
Check for damage
Look for downed power lines, broken tree limbs, and damage to your roof or windows. Do not touch downed power lines or anything in contact with them.
Check on neighbors
Severe storms can topple trees onto homes and vehicles. Check on elderly or disabled neighbors, especially if power is out.
Sources: Ready.gov Severe Weather, NWS Lightning Safety, NWS Thunderstorm Safety, NOAA Weather.gov, CDC Lightning Prevention. 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.