Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year. Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS. Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead. It diminishes as the storm moves away.

The NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC released a severe thunderstorm warning at 2:57 p.m. on Friday in effect until 4 p.m. for Cleveland and Rutherford counties.

The NWS Raleigh NC released a severe thunderstorm warning at 4:49 p.m. on Friday in effect until 5:30 p.m. for Harnett and Lee counties.