Stay away from TV’s, electrical appliances, bathtubs and sinks.
Use the telephone only for emergency situations.
Don't touch electrical equipment or cords. Unplug electronic equipment before the storm arrives.
Stay off porches. Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls.
A safe shelter is a building with electricity and/or plumbing or a hard topped vehicle with windows closed. Picnic shelters, dugouts, small buildings without plumbing or electricity are NOT safe.
Stay off corded phones. You can use cell phones or cordless phones if they are not in a charger. Don't use computers or equipment directly connected to electricity, such as your stove. Stay out of the shower and away from other plumbing as well. You should also stay away from windows and doors. Small cracks in the frames can let lightning in.
SAFETY OUTDOORS
Seek shelter inside during a storm.
Do not seek shelter under tall tree.
If out in the open, crouch down with feet and legs together.
Do not use an umbrella during a thunderstorm.
Dog houses are not safe shelters. Don’t chain dogs. Bring pets inside.
LOCATING STORMS
Since the 1970s, meteorologists have used the National Lightning Detection Network to locate and track thunderstorms. Lightning detection images show where lightning has struck the ground, allowing meteorologists to determine where the most severe storm activity is. Throughout the United States United States , Central Florida sees the most lightning and the Pacific Northwest sees the least. Central Florida 's hot and humid air offers prime conditions for thunderstorm formation, and, therefore, lightning. On lightning detection images, negative and positive lightning strikes appear differently. Negative cloud-to-ground lightning strikes appear on the images as green stars. Positive strikes appear as pink triangles.
