National Lightning Safety Council
@lightningsafety.bsky.social
Lightning safety professionals working to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect property from lightning.
Sadly, we are reporting a 20th lightning fatality for 2025, and this one is the 5th hunting-related incident in the last two months.
A 17-year-old in a deer stand in Louisiana was killed over the weekend.
Lightning doesn’t end when fall arrives!
www.ktbs.com/news/lightni...
A 17-year-old in a deer stand in Louisiana was killed over the weekend.
Lightning doesn’t end when fall arrives!
www.ktbs.com/news/lightni...
October 20, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Sadly, we are reporting a 20th lightning fatality for 2025, and this one is the 5th hunting-related incident in the last two months.
A 17-year-old in a deer stand in Louisiana was killed over the weekend.
Lightning doesn’t end when fall arrives!
www.ktbs.com/news/lightni...
A 17-year-old in a deer stand in Louisiana was killed over the weekend.
Lightning doesn’t end when fall arrives!
www.ktbs.com/news/lightni...
We’ve learned of another fishing-related lightning fatality - this one occurring in Puerto Rico on August 30.
This is the 5th fishing-related and 14th overall fatality of 2025.
www.primerahora.com/noticias/pue...
This is the 5th fishing-related and 14th overall fatality of 2025.
www.primerahora.com/noticias/pue...
September 14, 2025 at 10:16 PM
We’ve learned of another fishing-related lightning fatality - this one occurring in Puerto Rico on August 30.
This is the 5th fishing-related and 14th overall fatality of 2025.
www.primerahora.com/noticias/pue...
This is the 5th fishing-related and 14th overall fatality of 2025.
www.primerahora.com/noticias/pue...
A 32-year-old woman who was on Lake Texoma this weekend has died after being struck by lightning.
This is the 13th known fatality of 2025, matching last year's total.
Being on or near the water is extremely dangerous during thunderstorms, so when thunder roars, go indoors!
This is the 13th known fatality of 2025, matching last year's total.
Being on or near the water is extremely dangerous during thunderstorms, so when thunder roars, go indoors!
July 30, 2025 at 12:31 AM
A 32-year-old woman who was on Lake Texoma this weekend has died after being struck by lightning.
This is the 13th known fatality of 2025, matching last year's total.
Being on or near the water is extremely dangerous during thunderstorms, so when thunder roars, go indoors!
This is the 13th known fatality of 2025, matching last year's total.
Being on or near the water is extremely dangerous during thunderstorms, so when thunder roars, go indoors!
We'd been running below average for lightning fatalities until mid-June but we've seen a significant increase in lightning incidents.
We saw something similar in 2016, when we had 12 fatalities through July 10 followed by 24 more through the end of August.
When thunder roars, go indoors!
We saw something similar in 2016, when we had 12 fatalities through July 10 followed by 24 more through the end of August.
When thunder roars, go indoors!
July 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
We'd been running below average for lightning fatalities until mid-June but we've seen a significant increase in lightning incidents.
We saw something similar in 2016, when we had 12 fatalities through July 10 followed by 24 more through the end of August.
When thunder roars, go indoors!
We saw something similar in 2016, when we had 12 fatalities through July 10 followed by 24 more through the end of August.
When thunder roars, go indoors!
We've learned that the man who was struck by lightning on July 8 has died.
This is the 11th lightning death of 2025, and the 17th in New Jersey since 2006.
There have been 7 lightning deaths since June 26. On average, 4 people are killed by lightning between June 26 and July 15.
This is the 11th lightning death of 2025, and the 17th in New Jersey since 2006.
There have been 7 lightning deaths since June 26. On average, 4 people are killed by lightning between June 26 and July 15.
July 15, 2025 at 5:47 PM
We've learned that the man who was struck by lightning on July 8 has died.
This is the 11th lightning death of 2025, and the 17th in New Jersey since 2006.
There have been 7 lightning deaths since June 26. On average, 4 people are killed by lightning between June 26 and July 15.
This is the 11th lightning death of 2025, and the 17th in New Jersey since 2006.
There have been 7 lightning deaths since June 26. On average, 4 people are killed by lightning between June 26 and July 15.
A man who was playing soccer in Columbus, Ohio, when he was struck by lightning on June 29th has died.
This is the 10th fatality of 2025, and the 14th soccer-related fatality since 2006.
This has us on pace with average for the last 10 years.
www.10tv.com/article/news...
This is the 10th fatality of 2025, and the 14th soccer-related fatality since 2006.
This has us on pace with average for the last 10 years.
www.10tv.com/article/news...
July 14, 2025 at 5:28 PM
A man who was playing soccer in Columbus, Ohio, when he was struck by lightning on June 29th has died.
This is the 10th fatality of 2025, and the 14th soccer-related fatality since 2006.
This has us on pace with average for the last 10 years.
www.10tv.com/article/news...
This is the 10th fatality of 2025, and the 14th soccer-related fatality since 2006.
This has us on pace with average for the last 10 years.
www.10tv.com/article/news...
A North Carolina man who was struck by lightning while boating on June 29 has died.
This is the 9th lightning fatality of 2025, and the 6th associated with boating, fishing, or being near the water.
North Carolina has the 4th most lightning fatalities since 2006.
This is the 9th lightning fatality of 2025, and the 6th associated with boating, fishing, or being near the water.
North Carolina has the 4th most lightning fatalities since 2006.
July 14, 2025 at 1:28 PM
A North Carolina man who was struck by lightning while boating on June 29 has died.
This is the 9th lightning fatality of 2025, and the 6th associated with boating, fishing, or being near the water.
North Carolina has the 4th most lightning fatalities since 2006.
This is the 9th lightning fatality of 2025, and the 6th associated with boating, fishing, or being near the water.
North Carolina has the 4th most lightning fatalities since 2006.
Two teens in Georgia were struck and killed by lightning Thursday evening while fishing.
Fishing is the top activity that leads to lightning fatalities. 4 of the 8 fatalities this year have occurred while the victims were fishing.
When thunder roars, go indoors!
Fishing is the top activity that leads to lightning fatalities. 4 of the 8 fatalities this year have occurred while the victims were fishing.
When thunder roars, go indoors!
July 11, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Two teens in Georgia were struck and killed by lightning Thursday evening while fishing.
Fishing is the top activity that leads to lightning fatalities. 4 of the 8 fatalities this year have occurred while the victims were fishing.
When thunder roars, go indoors!
Fishing is the top activity that leads to lightning fatalities. 4 of the 8 fatalities this year have occurred while the victims were fishing.
When thunder roars, go indoors!
We've learned of a lightning fatality from June 26th.
A woman in Eagleville, Missouri, was walking through a farm field near her home when she was killed by lightning.
We've now recorded 6 lightning fatalities in 2025. The U.S. averages 8 lightning fatalities through July 3.
A woman in Eagleville, Missouri, was walking through a farm field near her home when she was killed by lightning.
We've now recorded 6 lightning fatalities in 2025. The U.S. averages 8 lightning fatalities through July 3.
July 3, 2025 at 5:56 PM
We've learned of a lightning fatality from June 26th.
A woman in Eagleville, Missouri, was walking through a farm field near her home when she was killed by lightning.
We've now recorded 6 lightning fatalities in 2025. The U.S. averages 8 lightning fatalities through July 3.
A woman in Eagleville, Missouri, was walking through a farm field near her home when she was killed by lightning.
We've now recorded 6 lightning fatalities in 2025. The U.S. averages 8 lightning fatalities through July 3.
Here are examples of things with “hard roofs” that are not lightning-safe.
Because they don’t have electrical/plumbing or metal shells that act as a faraday cage, they do not protect you from lightning.
Modern buildings and fully-enclosed metal vehicles are lightning-safe.
Because they don’t have electrical/plumbing or metal shells that act as a faraday cage, they do not protect you from lightning.
Modern buildings and fully-enclosed metal vehicles are lightning-safe.
June 29, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Here are examples of things with “hard roofs” that are not lightning-safe.
Because they don’t have electrical/plumbing or metal shells that act as a faraday cage, they do not protect you from lightning.
Modern buildings and fully-enclosed metal vehicles are lightning-safe.
Because they don’t have electrical/plumbing or metal shells that act as a faraday cage, they do not protect you from lightning.
Modern buildings and fully-enclosed metal vehicles are lightning-safe.
Today is International Lightning Safety Day and a few of us are at the Grand Forks Farmer’s Market with the University of North Dakota to share #LightningSafety information.
June 28, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Today is International Lightning Safety Day and a few of us are at the Grand Forks Farmer’s Market with the University of North Dakota to share #LightningSafety information.
Getting things ready for our lightning safety workshop at the University of North Dakota.
Starts in about an hour.
Starts in about an hour.
June 27, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Getting things ready for our lightning safety workshop at the University of North Dakota.
Starts in about an hour.
Starts in about an hour.
Getting things ready for our lightning safety workshop at the University of North Dakota.
Starts in about an hour.
Starts in about an hour.
June 27, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Getting things ready for our lightning safety workshop at the University of North Dakota.
Starts in about an hour.
Starts in about an hour.
Just what are strokes, flashes, and strike points?
Strokes are the individual discharges of electricity that make up lightning.
Flashes consist of all strokes that occur within 1 second and 10 km.
Ground strike points are where they hit ground.
Image from video from @brendonme.bsky.social.
Strokes are the individual discharges of electricity that make up lightning.
Flashes consist of all strokes that occur within 1 second and 10 km.
Ground strike points are where they hit ground.
Image from video from @brendonme.bsky.social.
June 24, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Just what are strokes, flashes, and strike points?
Strokes are the individual discharges of electricity that make up lightning.
Flashes consist of all strokes that occur within 1 second and 10 km.
Ground strike points are where they hit ground.
Image from video from @brendonme.bsky.social.
Strokes are the individual discharges of electricity that make up lightning.
Flashes consist of all strokes that occur within 1 second and 10 km.
Ground strike points are where they hit ground.
Image from video from @brendonme.bsky.social.
Lots of news stories lately have been talking about positive lightning - but we need to correct some myths and statistics about it!
⚡It makes up ~11% of strokes and ~20% of flashes
⚡It can have higher peak current than negative, but not necessarily
⚡Not every bolt from the blue is positive
⚡It makes up ~11% of strokes and ~20% of flashes
⚡It can have higher peak current than negative, but not necessarily
⚡Not every bolt from the blue is positive
June 24, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Lots of news stories lately have been talking about positive lightning - but we need to correct some myths and statistics about it!
⚡It makes up ~11% of strokes and ~20% of flashes
⚡It can have higher peak current than negative, but not necessarily
⚡Not every bolt from the blue is positive
⚡It makes up ~11% of strokes and ~20% of flashes
⚡It can have higher peak current than negative, but not necessarily
⚡Not every bolt from the blue is positive
A 2024 study from @coweatherman.bsky.social et al. showed the locations of the average 55.5 million lightning strokes making up 23.4 million lightning flashes that hit 36.8 million ground strike points each year - so lightning often strikes the same place twice!
journals.ametsoc.org/view/journal...
journals.ametsoc.org/view/journal...
June 24, 2025 at 1:22 AM
A 2024 study from @coweatherman.bsky.social et al. showed the locations of the average 55.5 million lightning strokes making up 23.4 million lightning flashes that hit 36.8 million ground strike points each year - so lightning often strikes the same place twice!
journals.ametsoc.org/view/journal...
journals.ametsoc.org/view/journal...
Fishing is the activity that contributes most to lightning fatalities in the United States.
June 23, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Fishing is the activity that contributes most to lightning fatalities in the United States.
The lightning that killed this man came from a storm that was about 7 miles away.
You do not have to be getting rained on for lightning to strike. It can strike up to 15 miles away from the core of a storm.
Lightning had been within 15 miles of the beach for 50 minutes.
You do not have to be getting rained on for lightning to strike. It can strike up to 15 miles away from the core of a storm.
Lightning had been within 15 miles of the beach for 50 minutes.
June 23, 2025 at 8:45 PM
The lightning that killed this man came from a storm that was about 7 miles away.
You do not have to be getting rained on for lightning to strike. It can strike up to 15 miles away from the core of a storm.
Lightning had been within 15 miles of the beach for 50 minutes.
You do not have to be getting rained on for lightning to strike. It can strike up to 15 miles away from the core of a storm.
Lightning had been within 15 miles of the beach for 50 minutes.
A 29-year-old Colorado man who was struck by lightning in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, has died.
He is the 4th lightning fatality of 2025. Beach activities account for the 2nd most lightning fatalities in the United States.
When you're at the beach, head inside when you hear thunder or skies darken!
He is the 4th lightning fatality of 2025. Beach activities account for the 2nd most lightning fatalities in the United States.
When you're at the beach, head inside when you hear thunder or skies darken!
June 23, 2025 at 8:14 PM
A 29-year-old Colorado man who was struck by lightning in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, has died.
He is the 4th lightning fatality of 2025. Beach activities account for the 2nd most lightning fatalities in the United States.
When you're at the beach, head inside when you hear thunder or skies darken!
He is the 4th lightning fatality of 2025. Beach activities account for the 2nd most lightning fatalities in the United States.
When you're at the beach, head inside when you hear thunder or skies darken!
Why is being indoors important?
Almost every single U.S. lightning fatality since 2006 has occurred when the person was outdoors.
If you can get inside a substantial building (one with four walls, a roof, and electrical and plumbing in the walls) or a fully-enclosed metal vehicle - you're safe!
Almost every single U.S. lightning fatality since 2006 has occurred when the person was outdoors.
If you can get inside a substantial building (one with four walls, a roof, and electrical and plumbing in the walls) or a fully-enclosed metal vehicle - you're safe!
June 23, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Why is being indoors important?
Almost every single U.S. lightning fatality since 2006 has occurred when the person was outdoors.
If you can get inside a substantial building (one with four walls, a roof, and electrical and plumbing in the walls) or a fully-enclosed metal vehicle - you're safe!
Almost every single U.S. lightning fatality since 2006 has occurred when the person was outdoors.
If you can get inside a substantial building (one with four walls, a roof, and electrical and plumbing in the walls) or a fully-enclosed metal vehicle - you're safe!
There's been a huge decrease in lightning fatalities since 1940. A lot of this is because so many people work indoors now.
Improvements to lightning awareness, detection, and education have helped lower casualties in the last 25 years, but the significant reduction comes from societal changes.
Improvements to lightning awareness, detection, and education have helped lower casualties in the last 25 years, but the significant reduction comes from societal changes.
June 23, 2025 at 2:31 PM
There's been a huge decrease in lightning fatalities since 1940. A lot of this is because so many people work indoors now.
Improvements to lightning awareness, detection, and education have helped lower casualties in the last 25 years, but the significant reduction comes from societal changes.
Improvements to lightning awareness, detection, and education have helped lower casualties in the last 25 years, but the significant reduction comes from societal changes.
Today is the first day of National #LightningSafety Awareness Week.
On Sunday, we like to deal with the basics.
Starting with how to spell #lightning!
Lightning is the giant electric spark that occurs during a thunderstorm. In the U.S., it kills around 20 people annually.
On Sunday, we like to deal with the basics.
Starting with how to spell #lightning!
Lightning is the giant electric spark that occurs during a thunderstorm. In the U.S., it kills around 20 people annually.
June 22, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Today is the first day of National #LightningSafety Awareness Week.
On Sunday, we like to deal with the basics.
Starting with how to spell #lightning!
Lightning is the giant electric spark that occurs during a thunderstorm. In the U.S., it kills around 20 people annually.
On Sunday, we like to deal with the basics.
Starting with how to spell #lightning!
Lightning is the giant electric spark that occurs during a thunderstorm. In the U.S., it kills around 20 people annually.
When thunder roars, go indoors!
Lightning doesn’t always strike the tallest object (as it did here)…and it comes out of the sky at more than 200,000 miles per hour - so you’re not getting out of the way!
The next 3 months are peak lightning season in the U.S., so keep #lightningsafety in mind!
Lightning doesn’t always strike the tallest object (as it did here)…and it comes out of the sky at more than 200,000 miles per hour - so you’re not getting out of the way!
The next 3 months are peak lightning season in the U.S., so keep #lightningsafety in mind!
June 7, 2025 at 12:48 PM
When thunder roars, go indoors!
Lightning doesn’t always strike the tallest object (as it did here)…and it comes out of the sky at more than 200,000 miles per hour - so you’re not getting out of the way!
The next 3 months are peak lightning season in the U.S., so keep #lightningsafety in mind!
Lightning doesn’t always strike the tallest object (as it did here)…and it comes out of the sky at more than 200,000 miles per hour - so you’re not getting out of the way!
The next 3 months are peak lightning season in the U.S., so keep #lightningsafety in mind!
It's lucky that no one was killed in Texas yesterday.
When thunderstorms are in the area, you need to be in a safe place! The only safe places are substantial buildings and fully-enclosed metal vehicles.
Anywhere else puts your life at risk. When thunder roars, go indoors!
When thunderstorms are in the area, you need to be in a safe place! The only safe places are substantial buildings and fully-enclosed metal vehicles.
Anywhere else puts your life at risk. When thunder roars, go indoors!
June 2, 2025 at 1:15 PM
It's lucky that no one was killed in Texas yesterday.
When thunderstorms are in the area, you need to be in a safe place! The only safe places are substantial buildings and fully-enclosed metal vehicles.
Anywhere else puts your life at risk. When thunder roars, go indoors!
When thunderstorms are in the area, you need to be in a safe place! The only safe places are substantial buildings and fully-enclosed metal vehicles.
Anywhere else puts your life at risk. When thunder roars, go indoors!
We're seeing a lot of reports of houses and buildings being struck by lightning and catching fire lately.
If you're in a building that is struck by lightning, leave that building and move to another lightning-safe place and call 9-1-1 so the fire department can check things out!
If you're in a building that is struck by lightning, leave that building and move to another lightning-safe place and call 9-1-1 so the fire department can check things out!
May 9, 2025 at 2:29 PM
We're seeing a lot of reports of houses and buildings being struck by lightning and catching fire lately.
If you're in a building that is struck by lightning, leave that building and move to another lightning-safe place and call 9-1-1 so the fire department can check things out!
If you're in a building that is struck by lightning, leave that building and move to another lightning-safe place and call 9-1-1 so the fire department can check things out!