Well not necessarily, in many cases tree stuck (and burned to rather beautiful pile of ashes) can be an insignificant one deep in the valley, while the ones on

Well not necessarily, in many cases tree stuck (and burned to rather beautiful pile of ashes) can be an insignificant one deep in the valley, while the ones on top of the hill will keep standing. Or folks getting struck through open window in their room, while building has proper protection. We all have seen the pictures of real lightning, never straight path, rather sum of local optimums which may end up being a rather un-optimal path overall