THE FACTS It has the ring of an urban legend and seems too bizarre to be true. But the claim that taking a shower during a lightning storm can electrocute you is no old wives’ tale, experts say. Electricity from a lightning strike is conducted around you and eventually dissipates into the ground.

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Lightning is likely to strike the tallest objects in a given area—you should not be the tallest object. Avoid isolated tall trees, hilltops, utility poles, cell phone towers, cranes, large equipment, ladders, scaffolding, or rooftops. Avoid open areas, such as fields. Never lie flat on the ground.

“Lightning can travel through plumbing,” the CDC said. “It is best to avoid all water during a lightning storm. Do not shower, bathe, wash dishes, or wash your hands.”

It’s not safe for your phone. If you must charge a phone during a thunderstorm, it is safe to charge it from a laptop or power bank that is itself not connected to the electrical outlet. Anything connected to the electrical grid in the house is in danger.

No, it is not possible to have thunder without lightning. However, it is possible that you might see lightning and not hear the thunder because it was too far away. Sometimes this is called “heat lightning” because it occurs most often in the summer.

Thunderstorms are dangerous because they include lightning, high winds, and heavy rain that can cause flash floods. Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which usually kills more people each year than tornadoes.

DES MOINES, Iowa — The derecho storm in Iowa from this summer is the most expensive thunderstorm disaster in U.S. history. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is estimating total damage valued at $7.5 billion.

Thunderstorms have three stages in their life cycle: The developing stage, the mature stage, and the dissipating stage.

Tornadoes