Lightning poses a significant, yet often underestimated hazard for individuals working or playing outdoors. Each year, lightning strikes the ground millions of times in the United States, leading to hundreds of injuries and many fatalities (21 fatalities in 2025, the most since 2019).
Florida led the nation with the most deaths, four, and water activities were the leading activity that resulted in these deaths. Many survivors of lightning strikes experience long-term disabilities.
Before the Storm – Preparation is Key
- Monitor Weather Forecasts: The UCOR Emergency Services Watch Office (ESWO) has a 12-mile detection and notification radius with lightning warnings issued through the mass notification system and wide area radio system (WARS). The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Laboratory Shift Superintendent (LSS) and Y-12 Plant Shift Superintendent (PSS) will also issue notifications over site public address (PA) speakers based on their own monitoring.
- Know where to take shelter in case of lightning: Cover all emergency actions in pre-evolution and Safety Task and Risk Reduction Talk (STARRT) card briefs.
- Practice good situational awareness: Keep an “eye” on weather changes. Once lightning is observed or the ESWO issues a warning, immediately stop outside work after putting it into a safe configuration until an “all clear” announcement is made or 30 minutes after visible lightning is in the area. If there are questions or concerns about lightning in the UCOR work area, call the ESWO at (865) 574-3282.
- Seek shelter in a fully enclosed building or hard-topped vehicle: If caught outdoors without a safe shelter, avoid tall objects, lower your profile (crouch low), avoid water, minimize contact with conductors, and if in a group, spread out.
As with all changed conditions, preparation and training are key. Be certain you and your team are aware of where to take shelter and how a lightning warning will be received.
