The heart muscle may be spottily dead, the brain swollen, and the kidney plugged with muscle breakdown products at autopsy. About 100,000 thunderstorms occur in the United States each year and lightning is part of all of them. Deaths have fallen because fewer people live and work in rural areas, warning systems are better, there is increased education in lightning safety, and there is better medical care. Thirty percent of those who are struck will die, usually within an hour, and three quarters of the survivors will have permanent damage. Be aware of the weather forecasts especially in the thunderstorm season from May through September.
Lightning can precede the rain so take avoidance tactics before the rain begins.
When you hear thunder, seek shelter inside the nearest building or in an enclosed car or truck. Avoid trees and other tall objects, high ground, water, or open spaces. Avoid metal objects such as umbrellas, golf clubs, or tools. When indoors, turn off appliances and electronic devices. When my wife was in the Canadian Navy one of the young surgeons on her base had been camping with a friend when lightning struck.