Douglas: Thunderstorms expected to bubble up Tuesday afternoon
Star Tribune
Last updated: May 26, 2026
This article compares the odds of various risks, emphasizing that seemingly dangerous events like lightning strikes and tornadoes are statistically less likely than everyday occurrences. It highlights driving and bathing as more statistically risky activities.
- The lifetime odds of being struck by lightning are 1 in 15,300, and in the Twin Cities, the chance of a home being hit by a tornado is between 1 in 2,500 and 1 in 5,000.
- Driving is identified as the single most dangerous routine activity for an average human.
- The lifetime odds of being involved in a traffic accident are 100%.
- The average American experiences three to four car accidents throughout their life, according to the Insurance Research Council.
- Furthermore, there is a 1 in 20 lifetime chance of sustaining an injury from slipping in the bathtub.
- While weather-related risks are acknowledged as real, the article suggests the statistical odds are generally in one's favor when compared to daily activities.
