>>I think lightning is very common in the bands far removed from the center, but very uncommon near or in the eyewall.

That's pretty much right, but not necessarily inland. I went and looked at some high-tech radars after you posted about the 4200 strikes. That was a big fat clump of clouds (with embedded squall line - saw severe tstorm warning for southern Dade Co.). I've personally heard thunder in about 3 of the 8 or 9 storms that I've seen outer bands from (rotating outer bands, not the ones that build in overhead). I don't recall ever seeing any in any of the depressions I've gone through FWIW. (Edit in: As noted in the third article, it's due to the ice crystals over the colder parts of the system {= inner-storm}).

Londovir,

That's pretty scary when you think of it. BIggest gust I've ever seen was probably in the 60's. Even at only Cat II, if you get 70mph+ for 2-3 hours, that's pretty nerve wracking/hair raising. And once it starts...

Steve