So far, 2020 has recorded four lightning strike fatalities with one of them having occurred on May 27 in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. However, Florida still remains the most dangerous state to be in when lightning strikes. Lightning deaths per state (map) Top 10 States with most lightning fatalities. So, it should be no surprise that Florida leads in lightning deaths as well. You know the saying “lightning never strikes the same place twice”? According to the National Weather Service, lightning kills an average of 49 people every year in the US. ORLANDO, Fla. – July in Central Florida is hot, humid, stormy, and the most active month for lightning deaths. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions © 2021 worldatlas.com, The Five Most Lightning Prone States In The United States, The US States Most Prone To Natural Disasters, Places In The World Where Lightning Strikes The Most. Lightning strikes in 2020 were down on average across the country but not in our backyard. Florida, more specifically the corridor between Tampa and Orlando, sees the highest frequency of cloud to ground lightning strikes than any other area in the United States. The most-struck part? Florida and Texas topped the list for experiencing most lightening strikes in 2018, according to new research. The running total of lightning … Florida leads as the most lightning-prone state in the country, as it experiences an average 25.3 lightning strikes for every square mile. Lightning, Beautiful & Deadly Lightning is one of the most beautiful natural shows nature puts on. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Lightning Strikes. Here are views of a few lightning strikes overlooking the Indian River Lagoon from Indian Harbour Beach, Florida. Your opinions are important to us. Florida and Texas experienced the most lightning strikes in 2018. Direct Strike : A bolt of lightning strikes you directly, carrying 30,000 amps, 100-million volts, and temperature potential of 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Of the top 15 U.S. counties with the most lightning strikes in 2018, 14 were in Florida. The death of a Florida man after a lightning strike last week is a grim reminder of how dangerous lightning can be, especially in a state beset with regular thunderstorms and lightning… 142 people have been killed by lightning strikes in Louisiana since 1959 while Florida has witnessed 477 fatal strikes over the same period. More than 0.824 million strikes are recorded in Alabama each year, translating to about 15.9 lightning strikes for every square mile. Lightning deaths tend to occur more in Florida than any other state and during June, July, and August, when most people are outside having fun. It spawned 8% of all Iowa lightning strikes in 2020, with over 27,000 cloud-to-ground strikes. Texas, however had the most cloud-to-ground flash count in 2018 at 2,483,805, while Florida came in second with 1,385,710 lightning strikes. "Lightning can be detected 10 miles away from its rain source. Oddly the total death weighs heavily by gender, where 204 men have died in the last 10 years as opposed to 59 women, according to the Lightning Safety Council. Though Florida is nicknamed the Sunshine State, it is notorious for thunderstorms and had the highest flash density per square mile, at 9.34. The Empire State Building in New York City is struck by lightning on average 23 times each year, and was once struck 8 times in 24 minutes. A second lightning bolt struck the management office of the Alafaya Palms apartment complex on Wesleyan Boulevard. East Central Florida Lightning Casualty Statistics 1959 - 2007 . Although San Francisco may seem like it gets its fair share of rain and lightning, it was actually the major city that received the least amount of lightning. Your feedback will go directly to Science X editors. ©2020 The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The location of the state is to blame for its high incidents of lightning. Though Florida is nicknamed the Sunshine State, it is notorious for thunderstorms and had the highest flash density per square mile, at 9.34. The lightning strikes are not evenly distributed around the earth, and over 70% of them occurring in the tropics. But of course lightning is not to be taken lightly. South Carolina experiences more fatalities of the two states, with 12 people being fatally struck over the past decade. The reason why, as a hot summer day progresses, the differential motion of opposing sea breezes from the east coast and Gulf Coast "allow for a collision process to occur northeast and southwest over the central part of the peninsular region," the NWS said. The states found in the southeast of the country are most prone to lightning strikes since they present the ideal conditions for the formation of thunderstorms, the meeting of cool air from the west with warm air from the Gulf of Mexico. By Blitzortung.org and contributors. Parts of Lighthouse Point, Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach were under a boil-water order after lightning struck Broward County’s main water pump, officials said. Epic follow-up to last night's lighting show," Kraus said. However, the total number of strikes recorded each year is higher in Oklahoma which has over 1.017 million strikes each year, compared to the over 0.451 million strikes recorded in South Carolina annually. Approximate number of lightning strikes in Brevard county, Florida per month Lightning, Beautiful & Deadly Lightning is one of the most beautiful natural shows nature puts on. Mississippi records an average of 18 lightning strikes for every square mile per year. Although Florida ranks as the #2 state with the most lightning strikes, it is often called the "Lightning Capital of the World." Florida and Texas topped the list for experiencing most lightening strikes in 2018, according to new research. Florida averages 7 fatalities per year due to lightning and often leads the nation in lightning deaths. This city in southern Florida ranks 14th in North America for the most lightning-prone places and 122nd globally, receiving almost 205 lightning flashes … You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties. Before technology was developed to accurately detect and record lightning flashes, climatologies were based upon the number of audible detection of thunder. Texas, however had the most cloud-to-ground flash count in 2018 at 2,483,805, while Florida came in […] In their 2018 Annual Lightning Report, Vaisala reported there were as many as 24 strikes per square mile (about 9 per km 2) per year in Florida. FL lightning strikes DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. -- After a lightning bolt struck an airplane in Fort Myers recently, it sent a shock through an airline worker, knocking him to the ground. Medical research advances and health news, The latest engineering, electronics and technology advances, The most comprehensive sci-tech news coverage on the web. Don't get under an awning. However, Florida still remains the most dangerous state to be in when lightning strikes. Nearly 34 years ago a … The months of June, July, and August represent the peak season of lightning strikes in the country, and the period when the majority of the deadly strikes were recorded. Jose Rivera, 41 of Port Saint Lucie, was performing yard work at around 4:30 p.m. when lightning cracked through the sky and onto the ground where he stood, according to National Lightning Safety Council. On a good night, one lake in Venezuela hosts thousands of lightning strikes every hour. The South and North Poles and the oceans get fewer lightning strikes. No one was hurt and there was no structural damage, but the station's technology did experience a surge. If lightning strikes within 8 miles of FSU, you should seek shelter. Perhaps the most recent example of nature's electrifying presence was captured by Central Florida photographer John Kraus, who posted several images Tuesday on Instagram of a recent lightning storm off the Space Coast.