When severe weather strikes, count on News 13 to keep you up to date. Get prepared now for the various severe weather conditions that often threaten Florida:

Lightning   |   Rip Currents   |   Tornadoes
Hurricanes   |   Brush Fires

• Check LIVE Digital Doppler X3 Radar in your county and around Florida.
• Stay alert with News 13 NOW:  Get Severe Weather Alerts by text or email.
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Florida is the lightning capital of the United States.

Each year, an average of nine people are killed by lightning in Florida, and another 39 are injured.

Florida has more thunderstorms than anywhere else in the United States and North America.

All thunderstorms are considered dangerous because they contain lightning and can also produce damaging winds, heavy rain which may cause flooding, tornadoes and hail.

Florida tornadoes come in all shapes and sizes, and can occur year-round, although most occur in the summer during the afternoon. 

Florida is also home to nearly 300 waterspouts each year, which are tornadoes that occur over water.

MAP: Current Watches
When a Watch is issued, you can continue normal daily activity, but you should keep an eye to the sky and check weather reports frequently.

MAP: Current Warnings
When a Warning is issued, it is time to take action. Seek shelter immediately in a small interior room of a secure building.

Rips currents are the leading surf hazard for all beachgoers.

Over 100 drownings due to rip currents occur every year in the U.S. More than 80 percent of water rescues on surf beaches are due to rip currents.

• How and why rip currents form
• Rip current safety