Heavy Rain From the Central Plains to the Mid-Atlantic; Heat Wave Begins This Weekend

Strong to severe thunderstorms and heavy rain will impact portions of the central Plains into the Upper Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic through the weekend. A stretch of unusually hot and humid weather is expected across portions of the central U.S. and the Southeast beginning this weekend and continuing through next week. The heat may reach dangerous levels, particularly mid to late next week. Read More >

Lightning Intro
Did you Know
Lightning Safety
Myths vs. Facts

Lightning, on average, causes 93 deaths and 300 injuries each year. In Texas alone, 34 people have been killed by lightning during the last nine County Area Map Showing Lightning Injuries and Deaths years. 184 injuries and nearly 23 million dollars (est.) in damages can also be attributed to Texas lightning since the beginning of 1995.

So if lightning causes so much death and destruction, why is it called the underrated killer?
Because often we fail to follow safety precautions, especially when we are caught outdoors, where most lightning deaths and injuries occur. Did you know that if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning?

Protect yourself and others from the underrated killer by reading more of our did-you-knows, myths versus facts, and lightning safety tips.

Texas Lightning Stats from Jan 1, 1999 through Mar 31, 2000

Texas Lightning Stats
Year	Killed	Injured	Damage
2004	3	58	.74M
2003	4	5	3.6M
2002	2	5	.97M
2001	1	6	1.4M
2000	5	19	.20M
1999	3	11	2.5M
1998	2	11	.88M
1997	3	34	6.4M
1996	6	7	4.4M
1995	5	28	1.7M

How To Estimate Lightning Distance
(miles from strike)

5 Second Rule Picture Count the seconds between the lightning and the thunder, then divide by 5.

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Heavy Rain From the Central Plains to the Mid-Atlantic; Heat Wave Begins This Weekend

NWS Ft. Worth