NOUS42 KTBW 021256

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FLZ043-050-052-056-057-061-139-142-148-149-151-155-160-162-165-

239-242-248-249-251-255-260-262-265-030100-



Public Information Statement

National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL

756 AM EST Mon Feb 2 2026



...SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK 2026...

...LIGHTNING IS THE TOPIC FOR TODAY...





In cooperation with the National Weather Service, State and Local 

Emergency Management agencies, and the American Red Cross, this week 

has been proclaimed as Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week. This 

week is designed to teach Floridians about the dangers of the 

various forms of hazardous weather that occur in Florida.



Lightning is one of nature's most unpredictable phenomena and makes 

all thunderstorms potential killers. West central and southwest 

Florida is the most active lightning hot-spot in the United States.

Thunderstorms occur almost daily from mid May through mid October, 

thanks to the formation and collision of local sea breeze boundaries.



A distant or developing storm may not appear threatening, since 

people often associate the peak threat with the heaviest rainfall, 

but lightning is most dangerous near the edge of a storm. The 

majority of lightning victims are struck before the storm reaches 

its peak intensity or shortly after the rain has ended. This is 

because people do not seek shelter quickly enough or leave their 

shelter too soon after the storm. Remember, if you can hear thunder, 

you are close enough to the storm to be struck and should 

immediately seek shelter. Once there, be sure to wait 30 minutes 

after hearing the last sound of thunder before resuming outdoor 

activities.



Lightning cannot be avoided in the same way one would avoid a 

tornado or hurricane. The only way to avoid being struck by 

lightning is to not be in the spot when and where it occurs. 

Lightning can strike more than 10 miles away from a thunderstorm, 

but the sound of thunder usually only carries around 8 miles away 

from the storm. Thus, there is a zone where you will not hear 

thunder, but are still at risk of being struck by lightning. 



In 2025, 20 people were killed by lightning in the United States, 

with 3 of those deaths occurring in Florida. Lightning is the number 

two weather-related killer in Florida, only behind rip currents. It 

is essential to take lightning safety into account when planning 

outdoor activities, especially in the summer. Get continuous weather 

updates, if thunderstorms are predicted, and be ready to take action 

should a storm approach or form nearby. 



So how can you protect yourself? Halt outdoor activities immediately 

and move indoors if thunder is heard. Remain indoors until 30 

minutes after the last sound of thunder. Picnic pavilions, baseball 

dugouts, beach shacks, sheds, and isolated trees offer no protection 

and should be avoided. If an enclosed building is not available, 

then an enclosed metal vehicle or bus are the next best 

alternatives. Convertible automobiles and golf carts do not provide 

lightning protection. 



When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!



For additional information about lightning or lightning safety, 

please visit the following website:



https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning









$$