Lightning strikes cause over 750 lightning related incidents in 2008

(Updated September 17, 2009) Latest U.S. Lightning Fatalities Update: Lightning deadliest in over a year

(Updated August 5, 2009) A man was struck by lightning and died from his injuries in Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania.

(Updated July 27, 2009) A man was struck and killed by lightning in Dare County, North Carolina

(Updated July 22, 2009) A 14 year old girl was struck and killed by lightning in Stillwater, Minnesota

(Updated July 9, 2009) Atmore, Alabama woman was struck and killed by lightning

(Updated July 8, 2009)    54 year old man struck and killed by lightning on Melbourne Beach in Florida

 (Updated July 5, 2009)  26 year old man was struck and killed by lightning in Rio Ranch, New Mexico on Independence Day

(Updated July 4, 2009) Lightning strikes and kills 1 person and injures 18 on Independence Day, in Lakeland, Florida

                                             26 year old man killed by lightning in Billings, Montana on Independence Day

                                             35 year old man struck and killed in Lioyd, New York, on Friday, July 3rd.

 (Updated July 2, 2009)  Lightning strikes and kills a man while boating in Orleans, Massachusetts

(Updated June 19, 2009) Lightning strikes and kill a woman in Columbia, Missouri

(Updated June 18, 2009) Woman dies in California from her injuries, due to a lightning strike, June 3rd

(Updated June 11, 2009) Lightning strikes and kills a man in Sebring, Florida

(Updated June 11, 2009) 10 year old boy struck and killed by lightning in Indiana

(Updated June 10, 2009)   Lightning strikes and kills a man in Shelbyville, Kentucky

(Updated June 9, 2009) Lightning strikes and kills a man in North Carolina

(Updated June 8, 2009) Lightning strikes and kills a man in Florida

(Updated June 4, 2009) Lightning storm kills one and injuries 6 others

(Updated June 3, 2009) Lightning strikes 2 boys in Virginia during a Little League Game, killing one

(Updated June 1, 2009) Detailed Lightning Fatalities in 2008

According to the National Weather Service, lightning causes an average of 62 deaths and 300 injuries in the United States each year.  (Undocumented injuries likely much higher)

In 2008, only 28 deaths from lightning were recorded, which is the lowest number of deaths recorded ever, and well below the average. (45 deaths-2007) (48 deaths-2006)

32 deaths from lightning in 20 states and Puerto Rico has been recorded thus far in 2009, by the National Weather Service. (Louisiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Mississippi, Alabama, Massachusetts, Montana, Missouri, Texas, Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas, Minnesota, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Colorado, New York, and California)--Currently, Florida leads the nation, with 5 deaths, with over 60 injured from lightning.

Because lightning usually claims only one or two victims at a time and does not cause mass destruction of property, the risk from lightning is underrated.

Florida has been labeled the "Lightning Capital" of the United States.   This state averages more lightning producing thunderstorms, than any other state.  Florida also has the highest average number of deaths, due to lightning.

In 2008, Florida and Colorado, led the nation with 4 deaths each from lightning.  (Note: 19 states reported deaths from lightning strikes in 2008)

Most of the deaths in 2008 occurred during the peak month (July) for lightning in the United States. (14 deaths, July 2008)

  (Image courtesy of weather.com)

According to the National Climatic Data Center, there were over 750 lightning incidents/reports across the United States in 2008.

So which state reported the most lightning incidents in 2008? (Lightning incidents include buildings and humans struck by lightning)

-Georgia led the nation with 78 lightning incidents/reports-

State by State Lightning Reports 

State                 (Reports -  Deaths   -  Injuries)

 *All of the lightning deaths in 2008 occurred outdoors*

 

Lightning Statistics (deaths 2008)