What happens when lightning strikes near you?

When lightning strikes at a point, it brings down a huge amount of charge, which flows in all directions until all the charges are neutralised by opposite charges in the earth. read more

Therefore, if you happen to be near the point where lightning strikes and you happen to be standing with your feet apart or lying down on the ground, you could experience a large voltage between your feet touching the ground or between your feet and your head. read more

AT RIGHT: Lightning strikes a tree and house in Charleston, West Virginia in 1998. Lightning passing through a house will often 'branch' and utilize more than one path to ground at a time. It can also jump through the air from one conductive path to another in what is called a side flash. read more

Lightning can reach far away from a nearby thunderstorm and strike ground. If you can see lightning or hear thunder, you are in an immediate danger zone for a lightning strike. Especially during the summertime, lightning activity can suddenly begin in areas of rain even if no lightning or thunder has yet occurred. read more

If you can see lightning or hear thunder, you are in an immediate danger zone for a lightning strike. Especially during the summertime, lightning activity can suddenly begin in areas of rain even if no lightning or thunder has yet occurred. read more

AT RIGHT: Lightning strikes a tree and house in Charleston, West Virginia in 1998. Lightning passing through a house will often 'branch' and utilize more than one path to ground at a time. It can also jump through the air from one conductive path to another in what is called a side flash. read more