Lightning and Your Safety

At a glance

  • Lightning can strike anyplace on Earth. In fact, there are about 6,000 lightning strikes every minute, which is more than 8 million strikes every day.
  • You can protect yourself and your loved ones if you know what to do when you see lightning or when you hear thunder as a warning.

Protect yourself from lightning

Lightning illuminating a dark, stormy sky.
Learn indoor and outdoor safety tips to protect yourself and your loved ones from lightning.

Lightning can strike anyplace on Earth. In fact, there are about 6,000 lightning strikes every minute, which is more than 8 million strikes every day. You can protect yourself and your loved ones if you know what to do when you see lightning or when you hear thunder as a warning. Learn indoor and outdoor safety tips to protect yourself and your loved ones from lightning.

Learn more:

Lightning strike victim data

About 40 million lightning strikes hit the ground in the United States each year. But the odds of being struck by lightning in a given year are less than one in a million, and almost 90% of all lightning strike victims survive. The odds of being struck multiple times is even less, with the record being seven times in one lifetime. There are some factors that can put you at greater risk for being struck, such as participating in outdoor recreational activities or working outside. Regional and seasonal differences can also affect your risk of being struck by lightning.