You may or may not have seen all the lightning Tuesday night which went on for a while and was very intense.
The Piedmont Triad gets its fair share of lightning in the spring and summer. So WFMY News 2 is doing some investigating into storms and strikes and debunking some of the biggest lightning myths.
Idea: Lightning never strikes the same place twice.
FICTION: WFMY News 2's Chief Meteorologist Tim Buckley says lightning can hit the same spot as often as it wants to. It usually strikes the tallest thing in an area. Think of a tall tree or TV tower. Additionally, the National Weather Service reports the Empire State Building is hit an average of 23 times a year.
Idea: It is not safe to shower during a lightning storm.
FACT: The National Weather Service advises against taking a bath, shower or using any other plumbing during the storm. If you have metal pipes lightning could strike your plumbing and conduct electricity all the way to your sink, shower or bathtub.
Idea: If lightning strikes while you're outside, you should lie flat on the ground.
FICTION: Lying flat on the ground actually increases your chances of being hit by a deadly ground current, according to the National Weather Service. The best place to go during a lightning storm is inside.
Idea: Your car is a safe place to be during a lightning storm.
FACT: The NWS says most cars are safe, but not for the reason you might be thinking. They report it's the metal on your car, NOT the rubber tires that keeps an electrical current away from you. If lightning hits a vehicle, it goes through the metal straight into the ground.
WFMY News 2's Erica Stapleton is working to verify some other ideas about lighting. Keep checking back for updates.