Thunderstorms
In Canada, lightning kills on average 9 to 10 people and seriously injures 92 to 164 people each year.
When a thunderstorm hits, get inside or stay inside, and remain there for at least half an hour after the last rumble of thunder.
Severe thunderstorms can cause landslides, flooding, uprooted trees, and downed utility lines. Thunderstorms are accompanied by lightning and may produce damaging weather such as tornadoes, hail, high winds, and heavy rain.
In Canada, lightning kills on average 9 to 10 people and seriously injures 92 to 164 people each year. When you are building your family emergency plan, review and discuss the safety tips below with your entire household to make sure everyone understands what to do.
Helpful hint: To estimate how far away lightning is, count the seconds between the flash of lightning and the thunderclap. Each second is about 300 meters. If you count fewer than five seconds, take shelter immediately.
If you are indoors:
- Stay indoors when a thunderstorm strikes. Remain indoors for at least 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder to ensure the storm has moved well away from where you are.
- Strong winds and large hailstones can shatter windows. Stay away from all windows, skylights and doors.
- Stay away from running water inside a house. Lightning can enter a house through pipes and plumbing. This means no showers or baths during a thunderstorm.
If you are outdoors:
If you hear thunder, then lightning is close enough to be dangerous.
- Move immediately to a place of shelter. Go to a well-constructed, enclosed building. Small, open structures do not provide protection from lightning.
- Avoid water, high ground, isolated trees, picnic shelters and power lines.
There is no place outside that is safe during a thunderstorm. Make every effort to get into a solid shelter or metal-topped vehicle. If neither is available, find a low-lying area away from tall, pointy, isolated objects, crouch down and put your feet together. Do not lie down. Cover your ears to reduce the threat of hearing damage from thunder.
If you would like more information, would like to speak to a public health inspector, or make a complaint, you can submit your question or complaint electronically or contact us directly.
This item was last modified on October 8, 2024