Overview
The typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of thirty minutes. Florida has more thunderstorms and lightning strikes each year than anywhere else in the United States. Florida also leads the nation in deaths and injuries from lightning, averaging 10 deaths and 30 injuries each year. Although all thunderstorms are dangerous, produce lightning, and can be lethal, about 10% produce dangerous winds or hail that will likely exceed thresholds known to cause bodily harm or significant damage to well-built structures. These are known as severe thunderstorms.
Prepare
- Know your area’s risk
- Sign up for weather alerts
- Identify sturdy buildings you can shelter in
- Monitor and cut down/trim trees that could fall on your home during a storm
- Secure outside furniture
- Consider buying surge protectors to protect your electronic devices.
Protect
- Hear Thunder? Find a sturdy building to take shelter in.
- Monitor weather reports/alerts and stay inside.
- If on the water, go to land and find a shelter to take cover.
- Avoid flooded areas.
Recover
- Avoid and report downed power lines and trees
- Continue monitoring weather alerts and instruction from your local authorities to stay safe.
