ORLANDO, Fla. — Did you know that lightning kills more people in Florida than any other weather phenomena?
- Florida is the lightning capital of the US
- Average of 6 people are killed each year in Florida
- Learn some catch phrases to keep you safe
The sheer power of each bolt is demonstrated as it shoots across the sky, seemingly forking in different directions and able to reach locations 10 to 15 miles away from the parent storm.
One bolt can reach temperatures up to 50,000 degrees, five times hotter than the surface of the sun.
Florida is the lightning capital of the U.S., as we're witness to more than a million strikes a year. Incidentally, in 2019, Seminole County had the highest flash density in the country, followed by Orange County.
On average, six people are killed by lightning each year in Florida.
How to Stay Safe From Lightning
What are some ways to stay safe from lightning? The first thing you should try to do is go indoors. If you cannot get inside, do not seek shelter under a tree or tall object. Tall objects attract lightning.
Get out of any pool or off a lake, as water conducts electricity.
Think of the "30-30" rule: Count the seconds between seeing lightning and hearing thunder. If this time is less than 30 seconds, lightning is a threat. After hearing the last rumble of thunder, wait at least 30 minutes before going back outside.
Calculate the Distance of a Thunderstorm to You
Right after you see a flash, count "1-Mississippi, 2-Mississippi, 3-Mississippi," etc. Once you hear thunder, take your number and divide it by 5.
This gives you a rough estimate of the number of miles a storm is from your location.
Here are a few phrases to keep in mind during thunderstorm season:
- If you hear it, fear it.
- If you see it, flee it.
- When thunder roars, go indoors.
No place outside is safe during a storm.