UpOnly Learning Presents: Family Emergency Guide — Natural Disasters, Power and Internet Outages

Family Emergency Guide

Thunderstorms, Lightning, and Hail

Last checked: October 26, 2026

Official guidanceThis guide summarizes official guidance. It does not replace instructions from local officials. In the United States, call 911 in an emergency. If your 911 call does not go through.

Related pages: Emergency Kit Checklist · Family Emergency Plan

What it is

  • The National Weather Service (NWS) says, "Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year."[1]
  • NWS says, "Lightning kills about 20 people in the United States each year, and hundreds more are severely injured."[1]
  • NWS says severe thunderstorms can bring threats such as large hail or damaging wind.[2]

For students

  • The National Weather Service says, "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!"[5]
  • NWS says, "You are NOT safe outdoors in a storm."[5]
  • NWS says to wait "30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder before going back outside."[3]

Before

  • The American Red Cross says to identify a sturdy building, one with walls and a foundation, and practice drills with everyone in your home.[4]
  • The Red Cross says to plan to shelter in a basement or a small, interior, windowless room on the lowest level.[4]
  • The Red Cross says mobile homes, manufactured homes, trailers, and RVs "are not safe in high winds."[4]
  • The Red Cross says to sign up for local emergency alerts.[4]

During

  • NWS says, "There is no safe place outside when thunderstorms are in the area."[3]
  • NWS says sturdy buildings and hard-topped vehicles protect you, but rain shelters, small sheds, and open vehicles do not.[3]
  • The Red Cross says sheds, gazebos, dugouts, and bleachers do not protect against lightning or high winds.[4]
  • The Red Cross says not to shelter under a tree.[4]
  • NWS says that indoors, don't touch anything plugged into an outlet, plumbing, or corded phones; cell and cordless phones are considered safe.[3]
  • NWS says to stay away from doors and windows.[3]
  • The Red Cross says that if you are driving and can't reach a sturdy building, pull off the road away from trees and power lines.[4]
  • The Red Cross says that during flash floods, move to higher ground and never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater.[4]

After

  • NWS says to wait 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder before going back outside.[3]
  • The Red Cross says to stay away from fallen power lines and report them to the utility company right away.[4]
  • The Red Cross says to expect power outages and to use battery-powered lights instead of candles.[4]
  • The Red Cross says to run generators, grills, and camp stoves only outdoors and away from windows.[4]
  • The Red Cross says to throw out food that got wet or warm: "When in doubt, throw it out!"[4]

Watch vs. Warning (NWS)

  • Severe Thunderstorm Watch: "Be Prepared!" "Severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area." NWS says, "Stay informed and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued."[2]
  • Severe Thunderstorm Warning: "Take Action!" "Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property." NWS says, "Take shelter in a substantial building," and "Get out of mobile homes that can blow over in high winds."[2]
  • The American Red Cross says, "A WATCH means Be Prepared!" and "A WARNING means Take Action!"[4]
  • If a thunderstorm brings a tornado or flash flood, see Tornadoes and Floods.

Sources

Last checked: October 26, 2026. Each numbered source below was opened and checked on the date shown. Numbers in brackets in the text, like [1], point to this list.

  1. [1] National Weather Service, Lightning Safety
    Published by
    National Weather Service (NWS)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.weather.gov/safety/lightning
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  2. [2] National Weather Service, Severe Thunderstorm Watch vs. Warning
    Published by
    National Weather Service (NWS)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm-ww
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  3. [3] National Weather Service, Lightning Safety Overview
    Published by
    National Weather Service (NWS)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-safety-overview
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  4. [4] American Red Cross, Thunderstorm
    Published by
    American Red Cross
    Level
    Not a government agency (non-governmental organization)
    Found at
    www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/thunderstorm.html
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  5. [5] National Weather Service, Lightning Safety for Children and Teens
    Published by
    National Weather Service (NWS)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-kids
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026

We check every line against official sources. If you ever spot an error (rare, but it happens), send us a screenshot through our form and we’ll fix it.