ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Seven people have been killed in the U.S. this year by lightning and two of them have been in Florida. 

Based on the past 10 years, the U.S. averages 12 lightning deaths through July 22.

What You Need To Know

  • Seven people have been killed in the U.S. in 2024 by lightning and two of them have been in Florida

  • Some of the deaths happened when people were under or near a tree

  • Ground current affects a larger area than the strike itself

A 19-year-old man was struck and killed Sunday, June 30 in Davie, Florida, while walking in a park.  He was under a tree when the lightning struck.  

Florida leads the nation in lightning deaths, now with 90 since 2006, including the two this year.

Both Florida lightning fatalities this year were related to walking in parks.  The National Lightning Safety Council offers these tips to people planning to go out for a walk.

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Being under a tree is one of the leading causes of lightning casualties. But why is being under–or even near–a tree so dangerous?

When lightning strikes a tree, the energy travels out along the ground's surface. The ground current affects a larger area and can lead to multiple injuries or deaths.

John Jensenius with the National Lightning Safety Council says the most recent multi-fatality incidents all have one feature in common: trees. 

When it rains, don’t seek shelter under a tree. Find a building or a hard-topped vehicle and don't wait until the last minute to seek shelter. Lightning can strike more than 10 miles away from a thunderstorm.

If you can hear thunder, you are in danger of being struck by lightning, even if it’s not raining where you are. 

Remember: "When thunder roars, go indoors!"

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