When thunder roars, go indoors
The National Weather Service’s lightning message fits in five words: When thunder roars, go indoors. There is no safe place outside when a thunderstorm is in the area. If you can hear thunder, you are probably close enough to be struck.
That surprises people, because the storm can still look far away. But lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from the rain. NOAA and the CDC both note that many people are struck before a storm arrives or after it seems to have passed, not during the heaviest rain. Blue sky overhead does not mean you’re safe.
Most lightning happens in summer, the same season La Porte County spends the most time outside: beach trips to Lake Michigan, Little League games, golf and boating on our inland lakes. Our storm patterns pages explain how severe storms tend to arrive here. This guide is about the lightning that comes with almost every storm, severe or not.
What counts as safe shelter
Only two kinds of places protect you:
- A substantial building with wiring and plumbing, such as a home, school, store or office.
- A hard-topped metal vehicle with the windows closed, such as a car, van or school bus.
Plenty of places that feel like shelter are not. Picnic shelters, pavilions, tents, porches, dugouts and sheds do not protect you from lightning. Neither do convertibles, golf carts or other open vehicles.
The 30-minute rule
Once you’re inside, stay there until 30 minutes after the last thunder you hear. The NWS, NOAA and the CDC all give the same advice. If you hear thunder again, the 30 minutes start over.
It feels long, especially with a game half-finished or a beach day cut short. But storms that are moving away can still produce lightning behind them, and waiting is what keeps people from being struck on the back side of a storm.
Beaches, boats, ballfields and golf
Beaches
Beaches are open, flat and next to water, which makes them a bad place in a storm. At Washington Park, the Indiana Dunes or any Lake Michigan beach, head for your car or an enclosed building at the first rumble. An open picnic shelter is not enough. Stay off the beach until 30 minutes after the last thunder.
Boats
Check the forecast before you go out, and don’t launch if thunderstorms are expected. If a storm builds while you’re on the water, head back to shore right away. Small open boats carry the greatest risk; if you’re caught out in one, drop anchor and get as low in the boat as you can. Larger boats with a cabin are safer: stay inside the cabin and away from metal and electrical equipment.
Ballfields
Dugouts are not safe. Send players and fans to cars or a real building. The NWS recommends that every team and league have a written lightning plan: who watches the weather, when play stops, where everyone goes, and when play resumes. That weather watcher should be someone other than the coach or umpire, with the authority to stop the game. Adults are responsible for getting kids to safety.
Golf
A golf course is a wide-open space, and a golf cart offers no protection. When you hear thunder, head for the clubhouse or your car, not a tree or a rain shelter.
Common lightning myths
- “The rubber tires make a car safe.” They don’t. It is the metal roof and sides that protect you.
- “Lightning never strikes the same place twice.” It often does, especially tall, pointed, isolated objects.
- “A tree will keep me dry and safe.” Standing under a tree is one of the leading causes of lightning casualties. Getting wet is far safer.
- “It’s dangerous to touch someone who was struck.” It isn’t. The body does not hold an electrical charge. Give first aid right away.
- “Lying flat on the ground is safest.” It isn’t. Keep moving toward a safe building or vehicle.
Indoors, and if someone is struck
Inside, stay off corded phones and away from plumbing: no showers, baths or dishwashing during the storm. Stay away from windows and doors. Cell phones and cordless phones are fine to use.
If someone is struck, call 911 right away. Check for breathing and a pulse. If the person isn’t breathing or has no pulse, start CPR and use an AED if one is nearby. Most people struck by lightning survive, and quick help matters.
This page is safety information, not a forecast. When storms threaten, check our emergency page for official watches and warnings.
Questions
How long should I wait after a storm to go back outside?
Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder you hear. If you hear thunder again, start the 30 minutes over.
Is a dugout or picnic shelter safe from lightning?
No. Dugouts, picnic shelters, pavilions, tents and porches don’t protect you. Go to a substantial building or a hard-topped metal vehicle with the windows closed.
Do rubber tires protect you in a car?
No. It is the car’s metal roof and sides that protect you. Convertibles and golf carts offer no protection.
Is it safe to touch someone who was struck by lightning?
Yes. The body doesn’t hold an electrical charge. Call 911 and start CPR if needed.
Sources: NWS: Lightning safety · NWS: When a safe building or vehicle is nearby · NWS: Lightning safety and outdoor sports activities · NWS: Lightning myths · NOAA JetStream: Lightning safety · CDC: Safety guidelines: lightning · CDC: Frequently asked questions about lightning · NOAA Lightning Safety: Myths (archived)