When the difference between positive and negative charges becomes too great, electrons rush to equalize the difference in charge. This rush is seen as lightning. Usually, a small flow of free electrons begins between the earth and clouds. Tampa, Florida tops the nation in thunderstorm days. In Florida, each square mile is struck by 25 to 40 lightning bolts a year.
Lightning CAN strike the same place twice.
Heat Lightning is just the reflection of lightning in a storm cloud many miles away. The energy in an average storm equals that of about 10 atomic bombs. Lightning kills nearly 100 people in the U.S. and injures another 250 each year. The NWS increased the warning time to the public with a national average lead time in 1998 of 11 minutes. Ten years ago, warnings could not be issued for a tornado until it touched ground.