Thunderstorm rituals

I open the door of the downstairs toilet because our dog hides herself in there.
Some people close their shutters, in case there's hail with the storm.

We carry on as usual. Lightening struck here once and went down our tv cable wiping out our Virgin TV box. This was easily replaced and, as we know, lightening doesn't strike twice!

MiniMouse my mum used to do that, too! And the doors. "In case of thunderbolts".

I loved watching the lightning flash across the valley at my last house. So dramatic to watch and then wait for the crack of the thunder! Awesome (in its truest meaning!)

My MiL used to open a front and back window, so that the lightning would pass through without causing harm. She was a country girl and had loads of 'country ways'.

I love thunder storms, will go outside and watch if it isn't raining. When I paint, it is nearly always stormy skies.
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I was in Georgia USA during a tornado, I was advised to get in the bath with the quilt over me (I was on a high floor of the hotel). I thought, to hell with that, and went outside to watch, amazing sight. Luckily it only touched down in unpopulated areas.

Oh dear, we need a rethink. We don't unplug anything. We just sit in the conservatory saying 'wow'!

My sister-in-law amazed me when she said "But I switch the TV off!" She didn't get it! Does the lightning care if a tree is "switched on" or not when it strikes? We unplug things, leaving a fair distance between plug and socket and most plugs are lightning-proofed as well. We shut and doors, and then just hope it'll go away. Having said that, I do enjoy a nice flashy thunderstorm.

We only had a few rumbles and two flashes. We dont do anything. My mother used to hide the cutlery.

It didn't happen after waiting for it ! Who stole my thunder ??

Blast! we had no rain at all , just the thunder,so had to do all the watering after all.
No rituals here, but my Grandma used to hide in the under stair cupboard.

We turn off as much as we can and that's about it. I'm not afraid of thunder but my sister was terrified and would sit in the cupboard under the stairs. The worst storm we ever sat through was in a restaurant overlooking the golf course in Harlech. Lightning was forking down all over the place and golfers were running hell for leather in the driving rain - carrying their clubs!! It knocked out the electricity in the restaurant so they came round with candles. We had already been served our food, so it was quite romantic. Those who hadn't had to wait until power was restored! A dreadful force of nature, though. I thought I heard on the news tonight that a father and his children had been struck by lightning at the gate of their school. I hope they are okay.

I don't do anything apart from watch from the bedroom window. My Mum would get in the cupboard under the stairs.

I unplug the computer. DS's next door neighbour's house was struck by lightning a couple of months ago, he had his laptop on his knee and was badly burnt because it was plugged into the mains. The whole of the street had their electrical equipment wiped out as the electrical surge ran through all the cables in the street, it caused havoc.

Like chelseababy it's been a bit of a humdinger here. My ritual is to bring Grace into the kitchen, put the radio on loud plus an appliance or two, then attempt to calm a hyperventilating bag of nerves while she salivates, pants, occasionally wees (!) until it is over.
We are not happy bunnies . (Stuff the computer or TV they can look after themselves)

A few thunder rumbles here, hope we have some rain ( saves me watering everything.)
chocolatepudding I want some with custard, everytime I see your name.

We also unplug the broadband, and the phone. A few years ago there was a strike on the telephone pole outside. It took out our phone but luckily the broadband was switched off. Neighbours suffered various ills concerning computers so we got off lightly. No need to call the cats in as they will be under the duvet already. Know exactly where the candles are and the recently bought torches we got after the first power cut we have had for years.

St.Andrews is supposed to get it soon ! I love to watch it until I get scared , when it goes on for too long . My Granny covered the mirrors , too !

We unplug the computers and laptops in case there is a power surge. Call the cats in too! If in the evening I find the emergency candles and matches, and carry a torch.