When thunder roars, go indoors
If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you. Stay safe!
- Move indoors or to a safe shelter.
- Stay inside for at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.
- Once inside, stay off corded phones, computers and equipment that puts you in direct contact with electricity.
- Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets.
- Stay away from windows and doors and stay off porches.
- Don't lie on or lean against concrete floors and walls.
If caught outside with no safe shelter, reduce your risk!
- Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks.
- Never lie flat on the ground.
- Never shelter under an isolated tree.
- Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter.
- Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water.
- Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.).
More resources
National Center for Environmental Health