Lightning Strike Fatalities in the U.S.
Austin (KXAN) – Since 2006, lightning strikes have claimed the lives of over 500 people in the United States, according to the National Lightning Safety Council (NLSC).
Interestingly, only five states have reported no fatalities from lightning during this period: Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, New Hampshire, and Washington.
The highest number of fatal lightning incidents has been in Florida, which recorded 94 deaths since 2006. Texas follows with 42 deaths, and then there’s Colorado with 25, Alabama with 23, and North Carolina also with 23.
Who is at Risk?
Interestingly, the annual death toll from lightning strikes has been on a decline since the mid-2000s. In fact, each year from 2006 to 2007 saw more than 40 fatalities nationwide. In recent years, those under 20 seem to be among the most affected. It’s worth noting that about 80% of all lightning strike victims have been men since 2006.
Activities Linked to Fatalities
The NLSC points out that activities like fishing, beach outings, boating, and camping contribute significantly to the number of lightning-related deaths across the country.
Notably, 21% of all lightning fatalities involved individuals in their 20s. Additionally, around 90 people in their 30s lost their lives to lightning strikes, accounting for 17% of total deaths. Since 2006, 13 children under the age of 10 have tragically died from lightning; a 7-year-old in Texas was one of the most recent casualties.
The Most Dangerous Times
Lightning fatalities tend to peak during the summer months. Over 160 deaths were reported in July alone since 2006, which accounts for roughly a third of all lightning-related deaths. June saw over 110 fatalities, while August reported 91. Significantly, November is the only month without any recorded lightning deaths in the U.S.
Remarkably, statistics show that more than 50 lightning-related deaths occur each week. There’s a noticeable trend where fatalities increase toward the end of the week, particularly on Saturdays, which has seen over 80 deaths since 2006.
The NLSC estimates that the odds of being struck by lightning in any given year stand at 1 in 1,509,000, while the likelihood of being struck at least once in a lifetime drops to 1 in 18,864.
