A meteorologist with Environment Canada is offering safety tips for anyone in a thunderstorm after a Tillsonburg man was killed by lightning earlier this week.
TILLSONBURG - A tragic death in Oxford County has prompted a warning from meteorologists.
52 year old David Johnson died on Sunday afternoon after he was hit by lightning while cutting his grass on Sunday afternoon.
The storm hadn't even really settled into the town when the lightning strike occurred. Meteorologist with Environment Canada Geoff Coulson says you need to find cover when you hear thunder.
"So if you're close enough to that thunderstorm to hear that thunder coming from it, that is the time to find a solid shelter to get in and out of the storm and the second rule for thunderstorms is equally as important and that is to stay in the shelter for a full 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder."
Coulson says lightning can strike outside of the storm, and even during the back end of the storm.
"Lightning can be occurring out ahead of the storm itself, off to the sides of the storm or even at the back end of the storm for distances of up to 15, 16 or 17 kilometres, so even if those dark skies appear to be some way off, there could still be a lightning threat if you are hearing that Thunder activity."
Coulson says the best practice to remember is When the Thunder Roars. Head Indoors!

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