turning my system on during lightning storms

Reubent is right. Turning your system off doesn't provide much protection. A lightning bolt that can jump several thousand feet of atmosphere is not going to be impressed by a gap of, at most, a few millimeters in your on-off switch. Unplugging you equipment is the best way to protect it.

Turning it off is only going to allow you to hear the storm better but its just as dangeroud as leaving it on if you take a direct or indirect hit. You need to unplug.

I use a PurePower regenerator with battery back up and use my rig all the time during lightning storms, power outs don't scare me any more!!!!!

Thanks for all your input
To clarify I do unplug my sysytem when I know a lightning storm is nearby

the lightning often travels via the neutral or ground (the two are usually connected at the panel). When you throw the switch, you disconnect the line or hot leg and not the neutral or ground. If you unplug, you disconnect all three. Likewise, lightning can travel through your phone or computer lines as well.