This goes also for conventional charges and things like the Tunguska event. Since the shockwave -- by equality -- comes simultaneously with the sound, the light

This goes also for conventional charges and things like the Tunguska event. Since the shockwave -- by equality -- comes simultaneously with the sound, the light will be your advance warning. Unfortunately most people's reaction to a sudden bright light is to go stand by the window to see what it is. This gets you killed at distances that would otherwise be survivable with good probability.