Used to work at KSC for the Payloads Directorate in the O&C building. NASA had an extensive lightning monitoring system. I can’t remember the exact year, it was in the latter half of the 1980s, we had some really active weather. The particular event I’m referring to started with a large waterspout/tornado that transitioned across the Indian River, over Merritt Island, across the Banana River, over Canaveral AFB on the barrier island and on out into the Atlantic. I watched that from the third floor of the O&C. During the hour surrounding that event KSC proper was struck by 11,000 lightning bolts.
Other events include seeing a Doctor blown off his Goldwing and killed by a lightning bolt on A1A in Cocoa Beach. Having a huge bolt strike the ground no more than fifty yards from me having just crossed over Haul-Over Canal on my motor. Helps you get your mind right.
That’s one reason I don’t ride in the rain if I can help it..........................