Lightning fact sheet

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Rebecca S. Blocker, Housing and Environmental Design Specialist, University of Missouri Extension

With thunderstorm season upon us, understanding lightning can help you make safer decisions when storms threaten.

  • If you hear thunder, lightning is near. Just because it’s not raining, doesn’t mean you aren’t in danger.
  • Most people are struck by lightning before or after the thunderstorm.
  • Lightning kills more people in the U.S. than tornadoes and hurricanes combined.
  • Outdoor sports have the fastest rising lightning casualty rate.
  • The National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports top activities for lightning deaths are in open fields, under trees, water-related activities, golfing, open vehicles, using the telephone and using radio equipment.

To reduce your risk of injury or death, follow the 30/30 Rule and use the Flash to Bang Calculator…

For more information and safety tips, see the full version of this article at http://missourifamilies.org/features/copingarticles/coping27.htm

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