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When lightning strikes, make sure you are out of the way.
Most of us have witnessed the awe-inspiring beauty of lightning shows: entire clouds illuminated by sudden discharges of electric current, with thunder echoing across the landscape. But while it can be beautiful, lightning is among the deadliest natural phenomena on our planet – and summer, the most popular time for hiking, is the most active time of year for storms.
Hikers are at a greater risk of lighting exposure, since nearly all lightning-related deaths occur outdoors. Each year about 300 people are struck by lightning, but only an average of 82 people per year have died from lighting strikes since 1959.* This number has been on the decline and in the past 5 years no more than 50 have died each year.**
The following guidelines should help assure that your summer hiking season is a safe and enjoyable one.
• Prepare. Check the weather forecast before you head outside. Be mindful of any storms in your area or conditions that are right for the development of thunderstorms. If a storm is approaching, descend from ridges, peaks, and elevated areas. In mountainous areas, thunderstorms typically develop in the early afternoon, so plan to hike early in the day and be down the mountain by noon. If you can hear thunder, you are in danger – even if the sky near you is blue.
• Seeking protection. If it’s possible, seek shelter. A safe building is one that is fully enclosed and has electricity and plumbing – a home, school, office building, etc. A hard-topped vehicle is also a safe place. Partially open structures such as trail shelters, patios, open garages, tents, dugouts and sheds are not safe.
• Safety outdoors. If suitable shelter isn’t nearby, seek protection in a valley or depression in the terrain. Always avoid isolated trees or other tall objects. If you have any metal – a metal-frame pack or hiking poles – make sure they’re at least 100 feet away from you. People in groups should find shelter at least 100 feet away from one another.
• Assume the position. Crouch on the ground with your weight on the balls of the feet, your feet together, your head lowered and ears covered. Never lie flat on the ground.
These tips are not exhaustive. For more information visit the NOAA lightning safety website or the National Lightning Safety Institute’s webpage for hikers. Before you go on your trip, make sure you have some way to keeping touch with the NOAA Emergency Weather Broadcast Radio.
*Adekoya, Nelson. Struck-by-Lightning Deaths in the United States. Journal of Environmental Health, 2005, pp. 45-50.
**National Weather Service. Natural Hazard Statistics. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2010.
FAQs
Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity. Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets. Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches. Do not lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete walls.
What is the 30 30 rule for lightning safety? ›
When You See Lightning, Count The Time Until You Hear Thunder. If That Is 30 Seconds Or Less, The Thunderstorm Is Close Enough To Be Dangerous – Seek Shelter (if you can't see the lightning, just hearing the thunder is a good back-up rule). Wait 30 Minutes Or More After The Lightning Flash Before Leaving Shelter.
What is the golden rule of lightning safety? ›
What is the 30-30 rule? The 30-30 rule states, "If you hear thunder fewer than 30 seconds after you see lightning, head indoors-the storm is only about 6 miles away. After the storm ends, wait 30 minutes before going outside."
Do and don'ts during lightning? ›
Stay away from window and doors and stay off verandas. Stay away from TV, plumbing, sinks, tubs, radiators and stoves. Get out of the water. This includes getting off small boats on the water, away from pools, lakes and other water bodies.
What is the 3 second rule for lightning? ›
Note the time in seconds between the lightning flash and the thunderclap. Divide the number of seconds by 3. That's it!
What is the 5 second rule for lightning? ›
If you count the number of seconds between the flash of lightning and the sound of thunder, and then divide by 5, you'll get the distance in miles to the lightning: 5 seconds = 1 mile, 15 seconds = 3 miles, 0 seconds = very close. Keep in mind that you should be in a safe place while counting.
What should you never do in a lightning storm? ›
Avoid showering, bathing, washing dishes, or doing laundry. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity. Avoid contact with metal objects (yard equipment, motorcycles, bicycles, etc.). Stay inside until at least 30 minutes after you last hear thunder or see lightning.
Is it safe to be in the bathtub during a thunderstorm? ›
Don't take a bath or shower, or wash dishes during a storm. It's essential that people in charge of organized outdoor activities understand the dangers of lightning and have a lightning safety plan. Don't be afraid to ask. If you hear thunder, it's time to get to a safe building or vehicle.
What is the 6 mile lightning rule? ›
The sooner activities are stopped and people get to a safe place, the greater the level of safety. In general, a significant lightning threat extends outward from the base of a thunderstorm cloud about 6 to 10 miles. Therefore, people should move to a safe place when a thunderstorm is 6 to 10 miles away.
What are 7 signs lightning is about to strike? ›
Your hair stands on end (as charges from the ground surge to the top of your head) You hear a distinctive snapping or crackling sound (small discharges of static electricity may occur in an area where lightning is about to strike) You experience a tingling sensation (electrical charges may be moving through your body)
If your hair stands on end, lightning is about to strike you. Drop to your knees and bend forward but don't lie flat on the ground. Wet ground is a good conductor of electricity.
Is it safe to be in a car during lightning? ›
Like trees, houses, and people, anything outside is at risk of being struck by lightning when thunderstorms are in the area, including cars. The good news though is that the outer metal shell of hard-topped metal vehicles does provide protection to those inside a vehicle with the windows closed.
Is it safe to sit on toilet during lightning? ›
Lightning can also hit you on the toilet, he says. “There have been documented incidents of people injured on toilets,” Jensenius told McClatchy. “It (lightning) went through the pipes and through the water. If lightning strikes your home, it often finds its way into the plumbing.”
Why should you not shower during a lightning storm? ›
If lightning strikes a building, it may travel through the plumbing. Showering during a thunderstorm may increase a person's risk of electrocution. This risk is greater with metal pipes than plastic pipes, but it is still best to avoid using any plumbing system or running water during a thunderstorm.
What are 3 thunderstorm safety tips? ›
Once in a shelter, stay away from windows and avoid electrical equipment and plumbing. Remember to bring pets inside. If there is time, secure loose objects outside as these objects often become dangerous flying debris in high winds. Postpone outdoor activities until the storms have passed.
