Three Things To Do When The Tampa Bay Storms Roll In

I'm talking lightning, not hurricanes.

Now is the time of year when the weather forecast includes the daily announcement of scattered thunderstorms. Sometimes a good lightning storm is pretty. Sometimes they're good for napping and sometimes they ruin outdoor plans. But always be careful when you hear the thunder roll in!

I've heard some report that Tampa Bay is the lighting capital of the world. I've heard some dispute this. Regardless, we have a lot of storm activity.

Lightning fatalities have decreased over the last 20 years, but there are specific activities that more often result in lightning deaths.

62% of deaths from lightning strikes between 2006 and 2019 were related to leisure activities.

The risky activities include: fishing, being at the beach, camping, and farming or ranching.

Oftentimes, if you are outdoors doing a particular activity, the sound may drown out the sound of the approaching storm.

An expert from the National Lightning Safety Council said, “The key is there’s any threat at all, rumble of thunder or what looks like a threatening sky, you need to get into a safe place very quickly.”

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