Lightning & Outdoor Activities: Respond in a Flash

When planning for outdoor activities, you can’t plan the weather in advance. But you can plan your response to weather conditions. Severe weather—especially summer storms with lightning—often pop up with little warning. And most people forget to factor in one important lightning safety fact: 

Lightning can travel miles ahead of a storm.

The dangers of lightning strikes

No place outside is safe when a thunderstorm is in the area. Each year, about 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes occur in the United States.¹ Lightning severely injures hundreds of people each year.² Some victims are killed and most suffer lifelong disabilities. 

Whether at camp, VBS, fellowship on a lake, sports practice, or a festival on your property, group leaders and event organizers should know how to avoid getting struck.

Most importantly, don’t chance it. By following these five lightning safety tips, you’ll be better prepared to respond to severe weather and reduce the risk of lightning striking your group.

1. Use your ears first!
Lightning can strike as far away as 10 miles from rainfall.³ That’s why the National Weather Service says, “when thunder roars, go indoors!” Many lightning deaths occur ahead of storms or after the storm has seemingly passed because people ignore the signs and get “caught outside.” If you hear thunder, you’re in danger—lightning is close enough to pose an immediate threat. Seek shelter immediately.

2. Create a lightning safety plan 
When planning your outdoor event, identify in advance the nearest shelter. If you plan on using a building on your property as a safe space, ensure that someone in your group can access the nearest entryway.

Pay attention to weather forecasts in the days and hours leading up to your activity. If thunderstorms are forecast, consider postponing. Throughout the activity, monitor the skies for towering clouds, darkening skies, or flashes of lightning. If you hear a distant rumble of thunders, seek shelter.

3. Don’t be the tallest object in your area
Avoid high-risk situations that increase your chances of a lightning strike. Lightning usually—but not always—strikes the tallest object.⁴ And because lightning can travel long distances in less than a second, your best plan of action is to steer clear of areas that pose a danger. 

Whenever possible, avoid:

• Isolated trees and high ground.

• Electrical equipment and plumbing. Learn more about how a power surge caused by lightning can damage or destroy your electronics. 

• Metal objects, like fencing, wires, and utility poles.

• Concrete surfaces, like patios and garages. Lightning can travel through its metal bars. Do not lean against concrete walls.  

And immediately leave: 

• Open areas, like parks and athletic fields.

• Open water, ponds, rivers.

Because they are not fully enclosed, sheds, picnic shelters, tents, and covered porches or concrete patios are not adequate protection from lightning.

Retreat to:

• Shelter in a fully enclosed, substantial building.

• A hard topped, fully enclosed metal vehicle with the windows completely shut is also safe.⁵

• Dense areas of smaller trees that are surrounded by larger trees, or a low-lying areas (e.g., valleys, ditches).⁶

Stay inside your shelter for 30 minutes after you hear the last clap of thunder.

It’s safe to use a cell phone, but do not use a corded phone or a cell phone plugged into an outlet. 

4. Last resort outdoor risk reduction tips
Remember, no place outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area. However, if you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby:⁷

• Move away from elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks. 

• Never lie flat on the ground.

• Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter.

• Never shelter under an isolated tree.

It’s a myth that you’ll be safe from a lightning strike if you crouch down and keep a distance between you and other people.⁸ Crouching down doesn’t make you any safer outdoors. The safest plan is to plan in advance. Check weather forecasts and reschedule the event if there’s any risk of severe weather. 

5. Learn to respond to a lightning strike
Call 911 or send for help immediately. Move the person to shelter to avoid a second strike on the victim or the aid helpers. Then, provide first aid. It’s safe to touch lightning victims—they don’t carry an electric charge.

Even people who seem alert after a lightning strike need medical attention. Lightning leaves many victims with permanent disabilities, including pain, neurological disabilities, and other health problems.

Take lightning seriously and be proactive. Create a plan that emphasizes lightning safety during outdoor activities, monitor weather conditions, and take immediate action to keep your people safe. By following these lightning safety tips, you can mitigate the risks associated with lightning strikes and create a safer outdoor environment.

Related Resources

• 5 Steps to Preparing a Disaster Response

• Power Outages: Out of Darkness and Into Light

• Power Surge: Major Damage in Less than a Second

• Protect Your Equipment Investment

• Hail Damage: Ding, Dent, or Scratch? Or Something More?

Sources Cited

1 “Lightning Safety Tips and Resources.” National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Accessed 6 June 23. https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning
2 “Lightning Safety Tips and Resources.” NOAA.
3 “Lightning Safety For You and Your Family.” National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA PA 201752. https://www.weather.gov/media/safety/Lightning-Brochure18.pdf
4 “Severe Weather 101—FAQs About Lightning.” NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory. Accessed 22 June 2023. https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/lightning/faq/ 
5 “Lightning Safety For You and Your Family.” NOAA.
6 “Fact Sheet: Lightning Safety When Working Outdoors.” Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA – DTSEM FS-3863, 05/2016. https://www.weather.gov/media/owlie/OSHA_FS-3863_Lightning_Safety_05-2016.pdf
7 “Lightning Tips.” National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Accessed 21 June 23. https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-tips 
8 “Lightning Myths and Facts.” National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Accessed 22 June 2023. https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-myths#:~:text=Myth%3A%20If%20you're%20caught,have%20no%20other%20good%20alternative. 

Posted July 2023

The information provided in this article is intended to be helpful, but it does not constitute legal advice and is not a substitute for the advice from a licensed attorney in your area. We strongly encourage you to regularly consult with a local attorney as part of your risk management program.