Thunderstorms down south are 100% different that we experienced in the northeast. They can be very loud and violent, especially when a cold front slams into the hot/humid southern air. The fear of Tornadoes is always on my mind, that's why we have a Tornado Shelter.
Our two granddaughters were young teens they were visiting here from the Boston area. They were excited that Thunderstorms were on the way. I warned the girls the storms were different here. They didn't care, they wanted to sit on the front porch and watch the lightning like they do at home. The first close air to ground lightning strike was extremely loud and the concussion shook our house. There was a very loud screams and a blur of two girls running for the bedroom closet.