The humid nights and the hot afternoons mean it’s summer in Florida! The daily thunderstorms are also a part of life here.

Each year, lightning kills an average of 49 people in the United States. There are also hundreds of people severely injured each year from lightning.

So far this year, six people have been killed by lightning in the United States. Three of those deaths were in Florida. One man died while loading a truck on a farm in Manatee County on June 13.

Two other people were injured at the same time.

During the last 10 years, most of the people killed by lightning have been men. Most deaths occurred during outdoor recreational activities.

So what can you do to stay safe when you’re outside?

  1. Check the forecast each day.  At Bay News 9, we do our best to tell you where the storms will line up and what time they will happen.
  2. When you hear thunder you are in danger of being struck by lightning, even if it’s not raining at your location. Seek shelter immediately. There is no safe place outside. You need to get inside a safe building or hard-topped metal vehicle with the windows closed. Picnic shelters, dugouts, tents and convertibles are not safe. Small boats with no cabin are also unsafe.
  3. Wait 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder before going back outside. Even if you’re inside, it’s best to stay away from corded phones, electrical equipment and plumbing. Lightning can travel through pipes or wires. Lighting can also travel through the ground.

When you can’t watch our Weather on the Nines, the Bay News 9+ app will alert you to lightning strikes near your area and show them on a map with Klystron 9. If you don’t have the app yet, you can get it here: (baynews9.com/appcenter)

There is so much to do and see in Tampa Bay! Let’s have fun and be safe this summer.