Iowa had 533,158 flashes of cloud to ground lightning last year. This week is National Lightning Safety Awareness Week. According to the National Weather Service, an average of 47 people are killed by lightning each year in the United States and hundreds more are severely injured. In the last 10 years, two people have been killed by lightning in the Hawkeye State.

Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen says when you hear thunder or see lightning you need to seek shelter, “If you’re outside and you hear thunder, you need to start heading inside. Because even if you don’t see lightning, if there’s thunder that you can hear there’s still a chance that lightning could get to you where you are.” She reminds people to keep in mind the saying, “When thunder roars, go indoors!” If you can’t get in a building or vehicle, then avoid open areas, you don’t want to be the tallest object. Also, avoid isolated tall trees, towers, or utility poles.

Listen to KCII for weather updates, and get the free KCII Mobile App and you’ll be notified any time the KCII Severe Weather Action Team goes live on the air with a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning in Washington County.