When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors and Avoid Plugged-In Devices
Ready.gov says that when you hear thunder, go indoors, into a building or a car with a roof; during a thunderstorm, avoid using electronic devices plugged into an outlet, and avoid running water. Don’t drive through flooded roads: 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away.
Ready.gov also says thunderstorms are common and can be dangerous, bringing strong winds, flash flooding, hail and dangerous lightning; in most places they can happen year-round and at any hour. This article follows Ready.gov’s thunderstorms and lightning page: how to prepare, and what to do during and after a storm.
Before a storm
Ready.gov explains (Ready.gov Thunderstorms & Lightning):
- Know your risk: learn the thunderstorm risk where you live; sign up for your community’s warning system, and note that the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and NOAA Weather Radio also send alerts.
- Strengthen your home: cut down or trim trees that could fall on your home; consider surge protectors, lightning rods or a lightning protection system for your home, appliances and electronics.
- Make an emergency plan: make sure your family knows what to do, where to go and what supplies to have; identify sturdy buildings near where you live, work, study and play.
During a storm
- When thunder roars, go indoors: Ready.gov’s slogan is “When thunder roars, go indoors!” Get into a building or a car with a roof.
- Watch for alerts: pay attention to alerts and warnings.
- Avoid plugged-in devices: avoid using electronic devices plugged into an electrical outlet.
- Avoid running water: avoid running water.
- Don’t drive through flooded roads: 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away; the slogan is “Turn Around. Don’t Drown!”
After a storm
- Listen to officials: follow authorities and weather forecasts on whether it’s safe to go outside and on possible flash flooding.
- Power lines and trees: watch for fallen power lines and trees, and report them right away.
For hurricanes and flooded roads, see Hurricanes, Know Your Evacuation Zone, Never Drive in Floods; for getting official emergency alerts on your phone, see Phone Emergency Alerts Are Free, Some Phones Need Them On; for making a family emergency plan, see Family Emergency Plan in 4 Steps, Pick a Meeting Place First.
What this article doesn’t cover
- Lightning distance and how long to wait: the page doesn’t say how many miles away lightning is dangerous or how long to wait after thunder stops, so this article doesn’t either.
- Outdoors, under trees, on the water: the page doesn’t say what to do outdoors or on a boat, so this article doesn’t either; CDC has a separate lightning page that this article didn’t review.
- Disaster assistance: the Ready.gov page points disaster survivors to FEMA; this article didn’t look into how to apply for assistance.
FAQ
Is it safe to shelter in a car during thunder?
Ready.gov says to get into a building or a car with a roof when you hear thunder.
Can I use plugged-in devices during a thunderstorm?
Ready.gov says to avoid electronic devices plugged into an outlet during a thunderstorm, and to avoid running water.
The water on the road isn’t deep. Can I drive through?
Ready.gov says not to drive through flooded roads: 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away.
Do thunderstorms happen in winter?
Ready.gov says that in most places, thunderstorms can happen year-round and at any hour.
Sources and date checked
All checked on 2026-11-01.
- Ready.gov, Thunderstorms & Lightning (page updated 2026-05-11):https://www.ready.gov/thunderstorms-lightning