Quick answer: Finish outdoor preparations early, identify suitable shelter and move inside when thunder is heard. Keep receiving local warnings because a storm may bring damaging wind, hail, flooding or a tornado as well as lightning.
Before storms approach
Check the local forecast, warning channels and who will be outside or traveling. Decide when to postpone an outdoor task and where everyone will shelter. A plan that depends on someone driving home through worsening weather needs another option.
Inspect accessible outdoor items in safe conditions using the home check. Put battery lights where people can reach them and charge communication devices before the storm. Record the school, workplace or activity organizer’s procedure instead of assuming every person can follow the home plan.
Move to suitable shelter for lightning
NWS lightning guidance says to enter a substantial building or an enclosed, hard-topped vehicle when thunder is heard and remain sheltered at least 30 minutes after the last thunder. A porch, picnic shelter or open garage is not a substitute for suitable shelter. Do not use the end of rainfall as the signal to go back outside.
If a severe-weather warning specifies a different protective action, follow it. A vehicle used as lightning shelter is not a safe tornado refuge; use the tornado plan for that hazard.
Change indoor activities during lightning
NWS advises avoiding plumbing, corded phones and contact with electrical equipment or cords during a thunderstorm. Stay away from windows and doors. Unplugging equipment should be done beforehand, rather than handling cords when lightning is occurring.
Keep a battery-powered communication option available. An indoor routine can use a portable light and paper notes while postponing showers, washing dishes and other activities that use plumbing.
Use a short household action list
| Stage | Action to assign |
|---|---|
| Forecast preparation | Confirm alerts, shelter and outdoor cancellation arrangements |
| Thunder or warning | Bring people to appropriate shelter and monitor instructions |
| Power loss | Find portable lights and preserve communication power |
| After the immediate threat | Check official updates before outdoor inspection or travel |
List the responsible person and backup next to each job. Keep the checklist short enough to use without searching through a full equipment inventory.
Do not turn cleanup into the next emergency
From a safe location, check for reported road closures and utility hazards before leaving shelter. Keep clear of downed lines and floodwater; report hazards rather than moving wires or testing water depth. If service is out, use the outage sequence and the lighting plan.