A stroke of lightning between a cloud and the ground can be up to 9 miles long. A stroke of lightning between one cloud to another can be up to 90 miles long. Lightning strikes the earth approximately 100 times per second. Approximately 100 people in the U.S. are killed from lightning each year and many more are injured. One stroke of lightning takes about one fifth of a second to strike.
Lightning is five times hotter than the surface of the sun.
Enough electric charge is in one stroke to light an entire city. Stay away from doors, windows, metal indoor fixtures, and electrical devices. Only use the phone in emergencies. Avoid open high ground and isolated large trees. If you are caught in an open area, crouch down.