In recent years, sophisticated lightning detection equipment has monitored cloud-to-ground lightning strikes. The map above shows which areas were MOST prone to lightning during one year. In Mississippi 3 to 7 million flashes of lightning are usually observed for one year. Most of the activity occurs over the Southeast US....especially over Florida.

Which Way Does Lightning Travel?

A cloud-to-ground lightning strike begins as an invisible channel of electricity charged air moving from the cloud toward the ground. When one channel nears an object on the ground, a powerful surge of electricity from the ground moves upward to the cloud and produces the visible lightning strike!

Lightning Myths and Facts

• MYTH: If it is not raining, then there is no danger from lightning.
• FACT: Lightning often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall.
• MYTH: The rubber soles of shoes or rubber tires on a car will protect you from being struck by lightning.
• FACT: Rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide NO protection from lightning. However, the steel frame of a hard topped vehicle provides increased protection, if you are not touching metal. Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer inside a vehicle than outside.
• MYTH: People struck by lightning carry an electric charge and should not be touched.
• FACT: Lightning-strike victims carry no elecrical charge and should be attended to immediately. Contact your local American Red Cross chapter for information on CPR and first aid classes.
• MYTH: "Heat lightning" occurs after very hot summer days and poses no threat.
• FACT: What is referred to as "heat lightning" is actually lightning from a thunderstorm too far away for thunder to be heard. However, the storm may be moving in your direction!