BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Lightning is a major cause of storm-related deaths in the U.S., with lightning strikes resulting in cardiac arrest at the time of injury.
That danger is being highlighted by the National Weather Service during Lightning Safety Awareness Week, with five lightning fatalities nationwide so far this year and storms in the forecast in the days ahead.
- Lightning Safety Awareness Week runs June 18-24
- Lightning is a major cause of storm-related deaths in the U.S.
- The Allen Township Fire Chief said lightning was the cause of a massive apartment fire on June 16
| 2023 Fatalities | Date | Day | ST | City/County | Age | Sex | Location | Activity |
| 1 | 4/15 | Sat | PA | Chester County | 48 | M | Roadway | Driving car |
| 2 | 4/16 | Sun | FL | Brevard County | 39 | M | On water | Boating |
| 3 | 5/15 | Mon | TX | Valley Mills | 34 | M | Driveway | Walking home from bus stop |
| 4 | 5/15 | Mon | TX | Valley Mills | 6 | M | Driveway | Walking home from bus stop |
| 5 | 5/22 | Mon | TX | Deltona | 24 | M | Rooftop | Construction |
One of those deaths came in Pennsylvania.
One person died in Chester County on April 15 in a lightning strike during a thunderstorm. In that incident, a motorist was killed when a tree branch hit by lightning fell on an SUV, according to published reports.
It was the first lightning fatality in the state since July 17, 2021, when a 71-year-old man was struck while golfing. It was also considered to be unusually early in the season for a lightning-related fatality, highlighting the dangers lightning can pose year-round.
The last year to feature a lightning death before the start of May was 2018, according to The Washington Post.
Lightning facts
On average, 28 people in the U.S. are killed by lightning each year. And while the risks of being struck are low, it can cause considerable injury or death.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- 73 percent of lightning strike fatalities occur in June, July and August
- The majority of lightning strikes occur on weekends, when leisure or recreational activities draw people outdoors
- Activities that contribute to lightning strike deaths include water-related activities such as swimming, fishing or beach activities
- Sports-related activities such as soccer and golfing also contribute, along with activities such as hiking and camping
- Eighty percent of lightning strike victims are male
- Almost 1 out of 4 lightning strike victims are aged 15 to 24
Tips for safety
Weather officials say no place outside is safe when a thunderstorm is in the area, and that people should move inside as soon as they hear thunder. The shelter should be a substantial building or hard-topped metal vehicle.
If you can’t get to a safe building or vehicle, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offers these tips:
- Avoid open areas. Don’t be the tallest object in the area
- Stay away from isolated tall trees, towers or utility poles. Lightning tends to strike the taller objects in an area.
- Stay away from metal conductors such as wires or fences. Metal does not attract lightning, but lightning can travel long distances through it
- If you are with a group of people, spread out. While this actually increases the chance that someone might get struck, it tends to prevent multiple casualties, and increases the chances that someone could help if a person is struck
- Stay inside at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder
Lightning science
Lightning is the confirmed cause of a fire that destroyed an Allen Township apartment building on June 16, according to Fire Chief Dale Hassler, and there are a number of ways that lightning can strike people or objects.
A person or object struck directly by lightning becomes a part of the main lightning discharge channel, while a side flash occurs when lightning strikes a taller object near the victim and a portion of the current jumps from the taller object to the victim.
When lightning travels through a ground current, it strikes a tree or other object and much of the energy travels outward from the strike in and along the ground surface. This is known as the ground current.
Hassler said that people should also be aware that lightning can travel long distances in wires or other metal surfaces.
Metal does not attract lightning, but it provides a path for the lightning to follow, he said. That means whether inside or outside, anyone in contact with anything connected to metal wires, plumbing, or metal surfaces that extend outside is at risk. This includes anything that plugs into an electrical outlet, water faucets and showers, and windows and doors.
"I unplug my television sets because a lightning strike nearby can cause a power surge," Hassler said. "Lightning is a funny thing. It can cause a short, smolder in a wall. We've had strikes we've responded to where it blew a chimney off. That's the highest point where there were bricks scattered everywhere or the lightning blew circuit breakers in the house.
"It can cause a short, smolder in a wall. We've had strikes we've responded to where it blew a chimney off."Allen Twp Fire Chief Dale Hassler
"If you know there's lightning, just pull the plugs [on electronic devices] and it will increase your odds of not being a victim.
The big thing is to protect yourself and protect what you have. If you know there's a storm coming, if you're following safety guidelines and things in your house are unplugged, that's the only true way to be protected."
