Lightning myths

The tallest object will be hit by lightning

Not true, taller objects are closer to the clouds, but lightning can strike the ground near a tall object. Taller objects may have a higher possibility of a strike, but the strike path of lightning is not predictable.

Surge protectors will protect your electronics if lightning hits your power line

False, surge protectors provide protection from power surges, not from lightning.

The tires on your car make it a safe place to be during a lightning storm

Wrong. Rubber tires don't deter lightning at all. What actually protects you is the conductive metal frame of the vehicle. If lightning strikes a car, the electrical charge will travel around you, through the metal frame and discharge into the ground.

Lightning never strikes the same place twice

Lightning does and will strike the same exact place more than once. Lightning does not have a memory, and if something or someone has been struck it can be struck again. The path of a lightning bolt is completely unpredictable and still baffles scientists.