There are several types of lightning including positive, cloud to cloud, cloud to ground, and ground to cloud. Positive lightning, also called a bolt from the blue, is less than 5% of strikes but six to ten times more powerful than negative lightning. Over 1990 to 2003, the average number of lightning deaths in the United States was 80 per year. The 30/30 lightning safety rule is that if the time between the flash and thunder is less than 30 seconds, wait at least 30 minutes after the last flash or sound of thunder before resuming activities. It is important to have a lightning safety plan and seek proper shelter inside a building, vehicle, or crouching low if outside away from trees or open areas.

1. Lightning Safety

2. Types of LightningPositive lighting “Bolt from the blue”Cloud To CloudCloud to GroundGround to CloudBall Lightning

3. Number of lightning Deaths in the United States, 1990 to 2003

4. Positive LightningSix to ten times more powerful then negative lightningLess than 5% of all strikesCalled bolt from the blue due to bolts striking miles away from the actual cloud

5. Lightning Safety"If you can see it, flee it; If you can hear it, clear it.“30/30 rule 30 seconds or less between flash and sound you should get to a safe place until about 30 minutes pass with no flash or sounds of lightning present

6. PrecautionsHave a plan before hand ready in case of lightningGet into a large building away from windows or electronics or a fully enclosed vehicleIf you can’t then stay away from water, high ground, trees, metal objects and open spacesIf no shelter then crouch low to the ground and cover your earsStay at least 15ft. Away from other peopleDO NOT LAY DOWN